Closing Arguments Highlight Evidence in Yates Murder Trial

In her closing arguments, Crown attorney Cara Douglas emphasized that the 200 impact wounds found on Caitlin Jennings’ body are key evidence that should lead the judge to determine David Yates is guilty of second-degree murder.

“Combined, these 200 impacts, the broken bones.. paint the picture of an attack, of a beating, that was lengthy and substantial,” said Douglas. “The injuries speak plainly and for themselves. The injuries occurred from many directions and to different parts of her body. 

“This goes ultimately to the Crown’s submission as to why Mr. Yates had the requisite intent for murder as opposed to manslaughter.”

Douglas, along with Yates’s defence lawyer Cassandra De Melo, each presented their closing arguments Thursday as the trial resumed in St. Thomas after a three-week break.

The Crown argues that Yates, 53, killed his 22-year-old girlfriend Jennings by hitting her repeatedly with a hammer during a confrontation in the bathroom sometime on July 2 or in the early hours of July 3, 2023.

Jennings was discovered dead on the living room floor of a house they rented on Kingsway Avenue in west London.

Yates has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, which requires the Crown to prove that he intended to harm her and understood his actions could lead to her death.

De Melo admits that Yates caused Jennings’s death but claims he acted in self-defence without any intent to kill her. On the first day of the trial, the defence attempted to submit a guilty plea for manslaughter but it was rejected by the Crown.

During her closing arguments, De Melo referenced evidence showing Jennings had assaulted Yates multiple times throughout their turbulent relationship.

Caitlin Jennings was found dead in a house on Kingsway Avenue in west London on July 5, 2023. Her boyfriend David Yates was charged with second-degree murder in her death. (Submitted)

“Even if it can be said that he went too far, it was only because this was a dynamic and fast-happening situation,” said De Melo.

“He had difficulty – coloured by his traumatic history with Miss Jennings in which he himself was the victim – deciphering when the threat was over. He never intended to kill miss Jennings and the Crown has not proven that on their own evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Yates testified earlier that on the night she died, Jennings attacked him from behind while he was urinating at the toilet in their bathroom. He told court about repeated attacks from Jennings where she kicked him and choked him. They struggled in the bathroom and Yates stated he struck her with a hammer he’d brought into the room as an attempt to stop her attack.

De Melo argued that what led up to Jennings’s death must be considered “through the lens of intimate partner violence” which forced Yates into self-defence mode.

“There was no recklessness or intention to kill Ms. Jennings. At its height, this was manslaughter,” said De Melo.

Confessed in 911 call

The court has heard that Yates called 911 admitting guilt about killing Jennnings on July 5-approximately two days after her death. During this time frame, he went to hospital for treatment related to injuries from an attempted suicide.

A notebook found inside their home contained an entry where Yates wrote “I just killed my friend.” 

De Melo asserted that her client wasn’t thinking clearly when he penned those words.

>”It’s not a coherent thought process,” she said.
“He said he didn’t remember writing most of it; he’s probably reliving all of chaos that’s been happening over these past several months.” >>

Crown Claims Inconsistencies

However, Douglas pointed out what she called “significant inconsistencies” within Yates’s testimony which she believes undermine his credibility overall.>

A few logical gaps Douglas highlighted include Yates claiming after their fight in bathroom; he helped lay down Jennings without noticing any visible injuries on her body.>

Douglas referenced crime scene photos along with previous testimony from pathologist Dr. Michael Shkrum who identified numerous severe injuries including jaw fractures bruises puncture wounds around face head area.>

“There were wounds on cheek going through cheek into mouth,” stated Douglas.” There also existed blow inflicted upon head leaving flap skin hanging exposing tissue underneath. It defies common sense Mr. Yate didn’t notice injures caused Miss. Jennings.”

>Douglas also noted vague responses given by yate simple questions during testimony. A classic example being when asked whether he’d returned hammer kitchen drawer post-Jennings’s passing.

>“His inability provide details at critical moments reinforces idea he’s dishonest witness,” asserted douglas.”

>She underscored yate’s statement wherein jennings informed him after assault claiming feeling hot needing rest lying down. Shkrum testified court she’d suffered multiple jaw fractures making difficult communicate properly.

р.”‘It just makes no sense at all,’ declared douglas.’The closing arguments are expected continue Thursday afternoon , and Justice Joseph Perfetto will announce verdict later date during judge-only trial.

Source link