UK- Marina Koppel, 39, SW, stabbed 140 times, London, Aug. '94, hair trapped in her ring & footprint identified suspect as Sandip Patel, 21, 2024

[tes1984]

And I wonder about his family.
Were they present during the trial?
Were they shocked ???
I think so!

I would imagine they are utterly shocked by it all. They are victims too in this sort of cold case. I'm not sure if they attended the trial.

Patel didn't admit guilt, which might mean that he still hopes he can persuade his family to stand by him. David Mulchahy was also matched to DNA years later, but has always maintained his innocence, and has been supported in prison by his friends and family for twenty years.

 

[Sarahlou]

Wow. I'm glad they finally got him.

140 times is insane!

 

[AcbMurders]

Marina Koppel: Sandip Patel jailed for life over 1994 murder

Marina Koppel was stabbed more than 140 times by Sandip Patel, who must serve a minimum 19 years.

www.bbc.co.uk

He was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on Thursday and sentenced earlier to a minimum 19-year jail term.(…)
Mr Justice Cavanagh sentenced him using guidelines that were in place when the crime occurred in 1994.
He said aggravating factors included the use of and attempted disposal of a knife, the gratuitous and sustained violence, the vulnerability of Mrs Koppel and a lack of remorse.

 

[Dotta]

Not long enough IMO

The coward didn't turn up for sentencing!!!
No acknowledging his guilt!
No remorse!

"Patel did not appear in court for the sentencing,

but weeping could be heard in the public gallery once it was passed."

1994 killer jailed for life after murder near Sherlock Holmes’ fictional home

Sandip Patel, 51, stabbed 39-year-old Marina Koppel more than 140 times in her rented flat in Chiltern Street, west London on August 8 1994.

www.nwemail.co.uk

 

[tes1984]

Not long enough IMO

The coward didn't turn up for sentencing!!!
No acknowledging his guilt!
No remorse!

Unless he acknowledges his guilt, Patel won't be given parole for many years after he becomes eligible.

Perhaps it's more advantageous for him to maintain innocence at the moment. Perhaps he still has some family who, despite all the evidence, still believe he's been set up.

I wonder if he was married and had children. If so, then has his wife started divorce proceedings?
He lived in a very expensive property. I wonder how rich he was. Did he inherit his dad's business?

 

[Dotta]

Unless he acknowledges his guilt, Patel won't be given parole for many years after he becomes eligible.

Perhaps it's more advantageous for him to maintain innocence at the moment. Perhaps he still has some family who, despite all the evidence, still believe he's been set up.

I wonder if he was married and had children. If so, then has his wife started divorce proceedings?
He lived in a very expensive property. I wonder how rich he was. Did he inherit his dad's business?

Fate mocked him.

I bet he was smirking during these 30 years,
convinced he cheated the Law.

But
BOOM !!!!

I guess he was leading the life of a law abiding citizen with a devoted wife and surrounded by kids.

(They all were weeping in the Public Gallery in Court.)

But guess what?
He is a sentenced murderer/torturer.

I bet he was waiting for cushy retirement after years of working,
basking in respect and love of children and grandchildren as the elder of the family.

But Fate laughed at him,
and now he will rot in prison bringing shame to his family,
with people pointing fingers at them and turning away with disgust and horror.

That is how greedy and vile murderers finish.

Good riddance !!!!!!!!

JMO

 

[Gemmie]

He lives in St Johns Wood, where a two bedroom flat costs £1,000,000. If he owns a house there, then he's probably a multi millionaire. There's a good chance he has decent defence lawyers.

The fingerprint and DNA evidence can perhaps be explained away, but the footprint evidence may be a different matter. The police have been using a database of footprints since 2001. Usually to compare footwear from crime scenes with the footwear of suspects and known offenders. I'm not sure if an actual barefoot print has been used to secure a conviction in the UK, or if the police have a legal right to demand to take footprints from a suspect without permission.

Appears he was the Director of Merlins Hill Ltd.

MERLINS HILL LTD filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

MERLINS HILL LTD - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Direct link to PDF from above URL here.

More info here: MERLINS HILL LTD people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK