GUILTY UK - Sandy Seagrave, 76, & Amy Appleton, 32, killed, man hurt at house, Sussex, Dec 2019 *Arrest*

[Ann Blyth]

Ok explanation for the lax Argus reporting explained somewhat by this article, provisional trial date set for 6 July.......

Trial date set for man accused of double murder days before Christmas

 

[Alyce]

Ok explanation for the lax Argus reporting explained somewhat by this article, provisional trial date set for 6 July.......

Trial date set for man accused of double murder days before Christmas

Many thanks for the update Ann - a bit of a shambles then and not clear whether or not he will enter a guilty plea. It is surprising that with all the technology available, they were not able to work around the situation. Particularly, because, as stated, it is not the first time it has happened.

 

[Ann Blyth]

Many thanks for the update Ann - a bit of a shambles then and not clear whether or not he will enter a guilty plea. It is surprising that with all the technology available, they were not able to work around the situation. Particularly, because, as stated, it is not the first time it has happened.

Sadly doesn’t surprise me, that’s HMP Lewes for you! Sounds like it has happened before as well.

 

[Ann Blyth]

Hundreds honour 'much-loved' teacher killed before Christmas

 

[Alyce]

Today Daniel Appleton, Amy's husband, appeared at Lewes Crown Court, East Sussex to be charged with two counts of murder.

He admitted killing both women but denied murdering them.

The court head that Appleton denied murdering both women because he contests his mental state at the time of the offences.

Appleton appeared by videolink from HMP Lewes. He was sitting in a chair and appeared emotionless as he denied the charges.

Mr Lewis Power QC, defending, said the allegations that Appleton killed both women was not in dispute.

Daniel Appleton will go on trial charged with the murders on July 6.



Man admits killing his wife, 32, and an elderly woman, 76, but denies murder | Daily Mail Online

 

[Ann Blyth]

This from the local paper, The Argus, much the same as above in the Daily Mail, probably cut and pasted from there knowing the poor standard of reporting usually in our local rag....

Man admits double killing - but denies murder

 

[Tortoise]

Man heard screaming 'I could murder' before beating his wife and 76-year-old to death, court hears | Daily Mail Online

Haven't read it yet, but it seems the trial is underway.

 

[Alyce]

Thanks for the update Tortoise - good to see another delayed trial going ahead.

 

[Alyce]

The Crown Court at Lewes Combined Court

Daily Courtroom List for Wednesday 18 November 2020

FINAL 1

Court 2 - sitting at 10:00 am


THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE HILLIARD




NOT BEFORE 10:00 am


Trial (Part Heard)

T20207023 APPLETON Daniel G

47CC5706520 SUSWM Crown Prosecution Service - SUSSEX

 

[Tortoise]

Trial started yesterday. Found this report -

Mr Corsellis said Appleton, who has no history of criminality or violence, had been experiencing a “psychotic episode”.

He told the jury: “However the key question for you in this trial is: was his mental state due to the use of illegal drugs or was it as a result of a temporary mental psychotic breakdown which the defendant is blameless for?”

He said that samples of the defendant’s hair and nail clippings were tested and traces of a psychoactive substance similar to LSD were found.

Mr Corsellis added: “The defendant accepts that he was responsible, his actions led to the death of his wife and to a passer-by who he had never met before.

“This is not a case of what happened, who did it, but a question of why and the lead up to.”

Husband murdered wife and elderly lady in ‘psychotic episode’, court hears

 

[Alyce]

Neighbour Gary Wigzell was one of the first people to discover Amy's body.

He was trying to rouse the popular school teacher when Appleton emerged naked from the house.

Mr Wigzell said: "He took one step closer and lent over me and said, 'I know I’ve killed my wife and I know I’m going to prison'.



Husband who killed wife in psychotic episode looked like 'Incredible Hulk'

 

[Alyce]

Trial still continues, but can't find any msm reporting.

Tomorrow's listing

The Crown Court at Lewes Combined Court

Daily Courtroom List for Friday 27 November 2020

FINAL 1
Court 2 - sitting at 10:00 am


THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE HILLIARD



NOT BEFORE 10:00 am

Trial (Part Heard)

T20207023 APPLETON Daniel G

47CC5706520 SUSWM Crown Prosecution Service -

 

[Harchmare]

Has this one been posted?

Horrified neighbour watches pensioner beaten to death with her own walking stick

 

[Harchmare]

What drugs did 'psychotic' husband take before killing wife and elderly lady?

 

[Harchmare]

I found these articles about the first few days of the trial, press coverage seems to have stopped after that.

Monday 16/11: Husband in the grip of a ‘psychotic episode’ beat his wife and neighbour to death in Crawley Down

Tuesday 17/11: Court hears of ‘bizarre victory speech’ by Crawley Down man on double murder charge

Wednesday 18/11: Man accused of double Sussex murder ‘looked like he had turned into the Incredible Hulk’ after killing his wife and neighbour

I guess that from a "news" point of view this trial is less "interesting" in the eyes of the press, and court reporters are busy elsewhere. It's awful for Amy's and Sandy's relatives to have lost their loved one in this way, and they probably don't mind NOT having to read about it in the press.

MOO

 

[Alyce]

This is a report from mid November


The court heard he then tried to take his own life in the kitchen of the couple's home.

Sussex Police Sergeant Christopher Brakell described finding Appleton in a pool of blood in the kitchen.

Sgt Brakell, said: "I thought he was going to die. I’ve never seen so much blood in my life.

"What I found quite strange was the living room was quite normal, Christmas tree and presents.

“This was just a quaint address, ready for Christmas. It surprised me to see such normality around such chaos."

The officer told the court it took ten people to restrain Appleton as police and paramedics battled to save his life.

Husband who killed wife in psychotic episode looked like 'Incredible Hulk'

 

[Alyce]

The Crown Court at Lewes Combined Court

Daily Courtroom List for Tuesday 15 December 2020
FINAL 2
Court 2 - sitting at 09:45 am


THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE HILLIARD




NOT BEFORE 09:45 am

Trial (Part Heard)

T20207023 APPLETON Daniel G

47CC5706520 SUSWM

Crown Prosecution Service - SUSSEX

 

[Alyce]

Tuesday December 15

Hove Trial Centre Crown Court 2

T20207023

daniel gary appleton

Details: Trial (Part Heard) - Resume - 10:04
Trial (Part Heard) - No Event - 10:10
Trial (Part Heard) - No Event - 10:44
Trial (Part Heard) - Legal Submissions - 11:00
Trial (Part Heard) - Case adjourned until 11:20 - 11:05
Trial (Part Heard) - Resume - 11:25
Trial (Part Heard) - Witness Number 26 Sworn - 11:35

 

[Harchmare]

A man accused of murdering his wife and an elderly woman has told a court it could have been "coincidence" that Class A drugs were found in his system.

Daniel Appleton, 38, of Hazel Way, Crawley Down, admits manslaughter but he denies murdering the women.

Hove Crown Court has heard he killed Sandy Seagrave, 76, with her walking stick and then attacked his wife Amy, 31, in Crawley Down on 22 December.

Mr Appleton told the court he "did not take any drugs".

Prosecuting, Nicholas Corsellis QC said: "We know as a fact, as uncomfortable as it may seem, that present in your body was a synthetic form of LSD known as 25I-NBOMe."

Mr Appleton replied: "I wasn't even aware of what that was until now."

Mr Corsellis asked him: "Is it realistic for the jury to consider your blood was contaminated by a blood donor?"

The defendant replied: "I suppose there is a possibility."

Daniel Appleton trial: Murder accused 'did not take drugs'

 

[Harchmare]

‘I’m devastated by what happened’ says Crawley Down man who killed his wife and a passerby