GUILTY UK - Constance Marten & Mark Gordon charged in death of baby Victoria, GUILTY on all counts incl retrial on manslaughter, 5 Jan 2023 #9

[Maltesepuppy]

No particular legal insights, but the whole thing seems quite straightforward really.

If a British couple wish to get married abroad they have to follow the processes of that country -

Getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad

Find out how to get the documents you’ll need to get married or form a civil partnership overseas and how much they’ll cost.

www.gov.uk

The only form a marriage recognised under Peruvian law is a civil marriage -

Marrying in Peru

You are planning to marry in Peru? First, “Congratulations”! Tying the knot in Peru is a simple and easy process, at least if you have a general understanding about the process and, in case a foreigner is involved, have all the necessary documents on hand.

www.limaeasy.com

"Only civil ceremonies are legal in Peru. So, if you plan to wed in church, have a romantic celebration on the beach, the blessing of a Shaman, an adventure wedding or whatever, you first have to get legally married."

No doubt, in their own heads, CM and MG regard themselves as being married to each other. As they've never gone through the necessary legal processes to create a legally valid marriage in the UK, Peru, or any other country that we're aware of, then the law in England & Wales doesn't recognise them as being married.

I'm sure that in their own heads CM and MG consider themselves to be married. Like they consider themselves good parents, victimised by a cruel system.
Yet here they are, not legally married, 4 children in care and one deceased at their hands.
Wishful thinking can only do so much.
I can consider myself to have the looks of Angelina Jolie and the wealth of Jeff Bezos but my mirror and bank balance smack me right on the face

 

[Parker Knoll]

They are about as married as I am whatever you call it.

 

[Skigh]

Constance Marten seeks to appeal against baby death conviction

The body of baby Victoria was found decomposing in an allotment shed in Brighton in 2023.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Frangipanimoon]

Just seen this on BBC iplayer - The Big Cases - The Aristocrat, the Convict and the Missing Baby

 

[Alyce]

Just highlighting this part of the report - great to see that sentencing will go ahead regardless.




Gordon complained to the judge that he had difficulty finding a lawyer to represent him at his upcoming sentencing hearing. He said: “I’m not up to the challenge of representing myself. I do not know the law. It’s too much for me to do. I cannot do it.”
Judge Lucraft refused any delay, saying the case which ran over two long-running trials had already been “hugely expensive”.He told Gordon: “The boot is on your foot to get representation.
If you are here on September 15 unrepresented, the court will proceed to sentence.”

Constance Marten’s partner Mark Gordon complains that he can’t find a lawyer

Marten, 38, and Gordon, 51, were found guilty of killing baby Victoria after they went off grid

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Deleted member 367833]

Mark Gordon too has applied for leave to appeal. The Times mention his application in the last words of their strapline:

Constance Marten seeks to appeal against baby manslaughter verdict

The aristocrat has applied to overturn her conviction for the gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria, her daughter with Mark Gordon. He has also appealed

www.thetimes.com

Regarding her being an "aristocrat", it seems this is based on her father's mother's father having been a hereditary baron (the lowest of the five ranks of inherited nobility), namely the 3rd Baron Alington, whose title became extinct in 1940 when he died leaving no male heir. In short she is the great-granddaughter of a baron. I consider this to be of no importance, but editors surely disagree, given the extreme frequency with which CM has been referred to in headlines and straplines as an aristocrat.

 

[Deleted member 367833]

Mark Gordon too has applied for leave to appeal. The Times mention his application in the last words of their strapline:

Constance Marten seeks to appeal against baby manslaughter verdict

The aristocrat has applied to overturn her conviction for the gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria, her daughter with Mark Gordon. He has also appealed

www.thetimes.com

Regarding her being an "aristocrat", it seems this is based on her father's mother's father having been a hereditary baron (the lowest of the five ranks of inherited nobility), namely the 3rd Baron Alington, whose title became extinct in 1940 when he died leaving no male heir. In short she is the great-granddaughter of a baron. I consider this to be of no importance, but editors surely disagree, given the extreme frequency with which CM has been referred to in headlines and straplines as an aristocrat.

Although the Argus say "No application has been made by Gordon."

Constance Marten seeks to appeal manslaughter conviction after baby's death

Constance Marten has applied to appeal her manslaughter conviction after her daughter died while on the run.

www.theargus.co.uk

So we have the position where the BBC says CM has applied for leave to appeal but don't say whether or nor MG has, the Times say they both have, and the Argus says CM has and MG hasn't.

If the Court of Appeal published a notice or even put out a press release rather than giving their colleagues at the BBC to understand, there might be less confusion.

Although my guess would be that

* the BBC was sloppy, possibly because they took the view "who is MG anyway?"
* the Times was right (credit where it's due), and
* the Argus didn't understand the difference between "not reported by the BBC" and "hasn't happened".

JMO etc.

 

[Alyce]

This is a very long read but there are some interesting details in here that were not revealed either via the limited reporting from the trials, or via our background research. Although I note the author still gets some parts wrong, namely the number of siblings of MG.

Clair Wills · The Price of Safety: Constance Marten’s Defiance

The trials of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were held to determine their criminal responsibility for their daughter...

www.lrb.co.uk

 

[bobbymkii]

Monday:

Court 8 - sitting at 10:30 am

[td]

THE RECORDER OF LONDON​

[/td]​

For Sentence

T20237104	GORDON Mark A	01MP1072723	SUSWM	CPS
MARTEN Constance	01MP1072723

DTA - PARTIES TO ATTEND. THIS SENTENCE HEARING MIGHT BE BROADCASTED AND RECORDED

 

[Parker Knoll]

Thanks Bobby.
Let’s hope this can be dealt with on Monday without further histrionics.

 

[Alyce]

Monday:

Court 8 - sitting at 10:30 am

[td]
THE RECORDER OF LONDON​

[/td]​

For Sentence

T20237104	GORDON Mark A	01MP1072723	SUSWM	CPS
MARTEN Constance	01MP1072723

DTA - PARTIES TO ATTEND. THIS SENTENCE HEARING MIGHT BE BROADCASTED AND RECORDED

Finally .... after almost 3 years

 

[Yellowbelly]

Thanks Bobby.
Let’s hope this can be dealt with on Monday without further histrionics.

On past evidence, I should think that highly unlikely, unfortunately.

 

[Parker Knoll]

Oh agreed …. We live in eternal hope.

 

[Lucy6226]

Been a long time coming and I truly hope Victoria gets justice here and they are appropriately sentenced

 

[Parker Knoll]

Someone please make sure she’s fully caffeinated for gods sake though

 

[JennieM]

Someone please make sure she’s fully caffeinated for gods sake though

Also a break before and after the coffee.

 

[Maltesepuppy]

Someone please make sure she’s fully caffeinated for gods sake though

And that he has mayonnaise in his sandwich and a copy of the Magna Carta

 

[CatsnChickens]

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon jailed for 14 years over death of their baby

The judge says the couple have not shown any "genuine expression of remorse", after baby Victoria's death in a tent in 2023.

www.bbc.co.uk

Looks like sentencing will be televised

 

[Alyce]

www.thelawpages.com

 

[Skigh]

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon jailed for 14 years over death of their baby

The judge says the couple have not shown any "genuine expression of remorse", after baby Victoria's death in a tent in 2023.

www.bbc.co.uk

Slightly inevitably given the history of this case, the sentencing hearing will start late.

Constance Marten has only just arrived at the court building from HMP Bronzefield, and needs to see her legal team.

We may not start before 11:00 now.