GUILTY UK - Viktorija Sokolova, 14, Murdered, Wolverhampton W. Mids, 11 April 2018 *Arrests*

[sar2them1984]

The court is actually across the road from my office so whilst I can see the building unfortunately I'm working...

Today's Daily Mail Article:

Girl 'raped and murdered in Wolverhampton park was hit 21 times with hammer-like weapon' | Daily Mail Online

It's actually worse than originally thought

 

[sar2them1984]

Viktorija Sokolova: Schoolgirl 'bludgeoned to death by teenage Facebook friend' in West Park

 

[Ellmau]

That poor girl.

 

[sar2them1984]

Really good coverage of the trial.

Sorry to say first impressions of Viktorijas home-life were not accurate. Seems she had a troubling upbringing. I'm hoping there is an innocent reason for the step father's DNA being on her underwear

Redirect Notice

 

[jessie]

Really good coverage of the trial.

Sorry to say first impressions of Viktorijas home-life were not accurate. Seems she had a troubling upbringing. I'm hoping there is an innocent reason for the step father's DNA being on her underwear

Redirect Notice

Thanks for that link. Very disappointing coverage of this trial in MSM unless I'm missing something.

 

[Armchair_Defective]

Strange development with the stepfather's DNA found. Does anyone know if police will have to look at his involvement? If the DNA was found before the trial, how come he isn't in the dock too?

 

[jessie]

Strange development with the stepfather's DNA found. Does anyone know if police will have to look at his involvement? If the DNA was found before the trial, how come he isn't in the dock too?

I agree. Following the evidence (that I'm assuming comes from forensic specialists) it appears a bit vague?



The jury has been told that traces of semen had been found on the blood-stained brief-style knickers that Viktorija had on the day of her death.

Ms Fergus said the DNA matched that of Viktorija’s step-father, suggesting there was “strong support the semen came from him”.

Viktorija had not been wearing the knickers when her body was found, they had been dumped elsewhere in the park, along with a pair of white jeans.

She said the presence of Viktorija’s step-father’s semen in the knickers could have been a result of a “recent or historic sex act between him and the wearer of the knickers” but it could also be a result of “innocent transfer”.

She added: “If semen-stained boxers were in the laundry basket, it could transfer, it was only a trace.

“I can’t say how it got there.”

Blood-stained white jeans that Viktorija had been wearing on the day of her death, were also examined and extensively tested.

DNA found on the jeans could have been attributed to both the defendant and Viktorija’s step-father, Ms Fergus said.

 

[JosieJo]

i must admit im finding this case worrying at the minute will be interested in how this develops

 

[Tortoise]

Signing on.

I just don't get how step-fathers boxers in the laundry basket could transfer to her underwear, unless she took her underwear out of the laundry basket. His DNA was also on her white jeans.

I also haven't seen an explanation for how they know Viktorija was dead when she was raped. It says they know she didn't consent but that is the case with all rapes.

I do think the 16 year old wouldn't have hidden his phones and deleted history unless he had guilty knowledge. And they have his shoe prints. But this business with the DNA is very concerning.

 

[JosieJo]

i can understand there may be transfer and the expert in court says this is not impossible but both knickers and jeans?? seems a long shot. Were the prints only "consistent" with the brand of trainers? Not read anything regards forensics on the boy yet i dont think ? will be interested to see if any.
He admits meeting her that night so i suppose he may well delete communication either way.
There must be a lot more on this presumably.
I do wonder about the level of violence with the attack it was very severe for a 16 yr old boy , though of course not impossible
Surely there would need to be a certain amount of strength to drag a body across a park and then lift it up over the side arm of a bench

 

[Tortoise]

It doesn't even make sense to me that police would be putting forth an innocent explanation for the step-father's DNA being in both items of her clothing. They could be protecting an abuser and hindering a prosecution. I think it's quite alarming.

MOO

 

[mrazda71]

I think if police had ANY inclination that the stepfather was involved then he'd be in a cell too.

DNA traces are complex and I'm sure that it is the case that it could be innocent - knickers AND jeans because if DNA was on one (I've known desperate teens grab jeans back from a dirty wash basket and we know that Viktorija didn't have many clothes as mum had destroyed them?) then it would easily transfer from one to the other.

BUT ... this tiniest doubt has now been introduced and the defence will use it to every advantage! Especially as the defendant is now not giving evidence so the jury can't make any decisions based on his evidence.

 

[Tortoise]

12:08KEY EVENT
Defendant will NOT take to the stand
The teenager - who cannot be named for legal reasons - has opted not to give evidence during his trial for murder and rape.

Adam Cane QC, defending, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that the defendant will not take to the stand.
Mr Cane said: “I shall not be calling the defendant, my lord. There will be evidence in other forms.”

12:11
Jury could be sent out as early as Wednesday
The jury was told that they could be sent out as early as Wednesday, according to the judge.

12:14
Court finishes today
Unfortunately, that’s all for today.

We will be back tomorrow for more.

Teen accused of killing schoolgirl and raping dead body

 

[Tortoise]

11:12KEY EVENT
No more evidence
All evidence has now been heard. Jonathan Rees QC, prosecuting, has told the court that the Crown offers “no more evidence” on count three that the defendant was charged with - sexual penetration of a corpse.

He said that the evidence “isn’t clear” precisely when Viktorija died.

The Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Baker has told the jury he will invite them to return a not guilty verdict for that charge on that basis.


11:15
Prosecution: 'As clear a case of murder as you can get'
Mr Rees is now delivering his closing speech to the jury.

He continued: “This is as clear a case of murder as you can get.

“There is no question of Viktorija posing a threat to anybody. There is no question of self defence.

“The attacker intended to kill her. She bled heavily from her wounds.

“The motive for this attack was sexual.

“After the attack her body was moved from the pavilion to the bench and positioned in a way that suggests the attacker wanted to penetrate her from behind.”

11:18KEY EVENT
'Explosion of violence'
He said Viktorija did not consent to having sex with her attacker and her refusal led to an “explosion of violence” and ultimately, her death.

“Who was it that battered and bludgeoned her to death? Was it the defendant? Who we know met her at the park and penetrated her anally? Or someone else?

“There’s compelling evidence that shows the defendant was responsible.

“The attacker was with Viktorija in the pavilion as that’s where the attack took place. The defendant had agreed to meet her at the pavilion. Messages exchanged show they both set off for the pavilion at 10.35pm.

“The attacker wanted to have sex with Viktorija from behind.

“What about the defendant? History of internet activity shows he was turned on by anal sex and had investigated what anal sex was like from both a male and female perspective - just minutes after getting in touch with Viktorija for the first time in months.

“And he did have anal sex with her, his semen was on swabs.”
Teen accused of killing schoolgirl and raping dead body

 

[Tortoise]

11:44
'Why would he change his trousers?'
Mr Rees said there was “overwhelming evidence” to suggest it was the defendant caught on CCTV wearing a pair of Adidas Gazelle trainers as timings coincided with messages he exchanged with Viktorija, stating he was on his way to the park.

Footprints with the sole pattern of those trainers were found near to where Viktorija’s body was found.

Mr Rees has suggested the defendant changed his bottoms after the attack and the figure shown walking away from the park on CCTV footage at 12.40am on April 12 is him.

He told the court: “Why would he change his trousers unless there is something he wanted to conceal?”

11:53
Prosecution outlines more evidence
Mr Rees said by the time police searched his house, the defendant had got rid of the trainers, bottoms and rucksack.

He said: “Those items were not found. There can be no question that he disposed of items that night.

“We have CCTV footage to support that.

“He left his house at 1.35am with his brother and returned around an hour later.

“He was wearing a backpack when he left his home but had got rid of it before he returned.”

Mr Rees said the defendant also tried to hide links with Vikorija when he returned home.

“His brother’s phone was used to access a YouTube video about how to permanently delete a Facebook account.”

“He deleted messages exchanged with Viktorija and internet searches relating to anal sex,” added Mr Rees, reminding the jury that the defendant’s phone had then been hidden behind a wardrobe.


11:57KEY EVENT
Prosecution addresses step-father's semen on knickers
Mr Rees acknowledged that the jury may think that DNA evidence implicated Viktorija’s step-father as a trace amount of his semen was found on her knickers in three areas.

He reiterated that the step-father has denied having any involvement in Viktorija’s death when he gave evidence to the duty.

“We may never be sure as to how his semen got on those knickers -there were only trace amounts found,” Mr Rees said, adding that secondary transfer was a possibility as they lived in the same house and used the same washing basket.

He said it also couldn’t be ruled out that the knickers were not clean when Viktorija put them on and could have previously been worn by Viktorija’s mother.

Mr Rees said: “Even if you suspect this came from non-innocent contamination, in light of all the evidence in this case, would this provide any evidence for the defence theory that her step-father found her in the park, sexually assaulted her and killed her?”

He said there was no evidence that Viktorija’s step-father or mother had left their home during the “critical period” that evening and when Viktorija failed to return home at 10pm, they had contacted the police and reported her missing.

 

[Tortoise]

12:01
Parents discipline to 'keep her safe'
Mr Rees said Viktorija’s difficult behaviour did make her mother and step-father angry and they did discipline her but only to “keep her safe”, adding it was “a frustration born out of love”.

He said the defence’s alternative theory “does nothing to explain away the evidence that points to the defendant being the killer”.

12:27
Prosecution on possibility of unidentified male
Mr Rees is exploring the possibility that an unidentified male could be the killer as DNA, probably from semen, was found on Viktorija’s vulva.

He said while Viktorija’s parents believed she was sexually active, there was no evidence to suggest she was meeting anyone but the defendant that fateful night.

“Only the defendant’s semen was found inside her,” he said.

12:45
Prospect of two people involved is 'speculative'
Mr Rees said any suggestion two people were involved in the deadly attack, particularly in moving Viktorija’s body, would be tenuous and “speculative at best”.

Referring to the defendant, Mr Rees said: “Beyond the lying account he gave in a prepared statement, you have heard nothing from him but not guilty pleas.”

12:46
Prosecution: Defendant didn't take stand as he'd be exposed
Mr Rees said if the defendant gave evidence, the defendant could have provided the answers to many key questions, including why he had got in touch with Viktorija after so long; why he was so keen to meet her; what was in the rucksack he had taken to West Park; if Viktorija had given consent to having anal sex with him and why she had not left the park with him.

Mr Rees said the jury should not hold his decision not to give evidence against him but suggested it was because “he knows he has no answers that would withstand cross examination”, adding: “He knows he would be exposed as a liar and a killer if he went into the witness box.”

 

[Tortoise]

14:36KEY EVENT
Closing speech for defence
Adam Kane QC, for the defendant, is now delivering his closing speech to the jury.

He said the defendant is a 16-year-old boy with no previous convictions.

Mr Kane said his client did not kill Viktorija, nor did he know who did.

“At least two male contributors to DNA in seminal fluid found on or in Viktorija remain unidentifiable - at least two,” he said.

The way blood was smeared in the pavilion and its absence from the pavilion to the bench were explicable to two people carrying the body, he said, referring to earlier evidence presented by a forensic scientist.

Mr Kane said the presence of Viktorija’s step-father’s seminal fluid in the knickers and jeans she was wearing would have “come off" if they had been washed.


14:53KEY EVENT
'Not one speck' of blood in defendant's house
Mr Kane is reminding the jury that to find the defendant guilty, they must be sure “beyond all reasonable doubt”.

There was “blood on the walls” in the pavilion where Viktorija was killed, Mr Kane said.

But when police looked for blood on the clothing, walls, bedding, washing machine and carpets in the defendant’s home, there was “not one speck of Viktorija’s blood in that house”.

14:59
'Why would he not have thrown her body into the lake?'
Mr Kane has asked jurors why the defendant would have moved Viktorija’s body to the bench if he had been responsible for raping and killing her, adding: “Why would he not have thrown her body into the lake to wash away DNA evidence?”

He said moving her body to the bench would have taken “a lot of effort” for one person.

 

[Tortoise]

15:07
CCTV 'could easily be different people'
Moving onto CCTV footage, Mr Kane said the footage isn’t good enough for facial recognition and the Crown was attempting to identify people by their clothing.

Referring to footage where a figure can be seen heading from the park, Mr Kane said they were wearing different bottoms from the person seen heading towards the park in earlier footage.

He said although the prosecution claim the person is wearing the same Adidas Gazelle trainers, he believes they reflected light differently when captured by infrared cameras.

He said while the person captured on the footage could be the same person, they could easily be different people.

He said if it was the same person, and they had thought to bring a change of trousers, surely they would have “gone the whole hog” and brought a change of jacket and trainers too.


15:55
Deleted Facebook messages explained
Mr Kane said far from the defendant deleting Facebook messages and internet searches because he was guilty, he had done so because he was “meeting a girl to have anal sex with her” and didn’t want his father - who had called him to see where he was at 1.30am and 2am - to find out what he had been doing.


16:05KEY EVENT
The defence on Viktorija's mother and step-father
“These people were not in a warm, loving relationship at the time Viktorija was killed,” Mr Kane said, referring to her mother and step-father.

He said Viktorija’s mother had told the jury she may have previously worn the knickers Viktorija was wearing before she died, which had traces of her step-father’s semen in.

However that was “no less than protecting her husband,” Mr Kane said.

He said she had previously made a statement which said: “I myself only wear underwear in the style of a thong, therefore I would never wear Viktorija’s underwear.

“I would buy a size medium for myself.”

16:12
Defence explains lying
Mr Kane said “there’s no doubt” in his prepared statement, produced my his solicitor, that the defendant had lied about not seeing Viktorija.

“People lie for all sorts of reasons,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of sheer panic.”

The case has been adjourned until tomorrow, when the judge will give his summing up.

Teen accused of killing schoolgirl and raping dead body

 

[Tortoise]

It'll be interesting to see what the jury makes of all this.

 

[Tortoise]

Personally I think they've proved the rape but not the murder, from everything I've read. What does everyone else think?