UK: Man Found Guilty of Murdering Teen Daughter in Kitchen Stabbing
The Facts
Simon Vickers, 50, has been found guilty of murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett by stabbing her in the chest with a kitchen knife at their home in Darlington, England, on July 5. A jury deliberated for over 13 hours at Teesside Crown Court before voting 10-2 to convict.
The incident occurred during what was described as "mucking about," where the family had been throwing grapes and using kitchen tongs. Vickers had consumed cannabis and four glasses of wine in the lead up to the incident.
Scarlett suffered an 11-centimeter (4.3-inch) deep stab wound to her chest that pierced her lung and heart, resulting in fatal blood loss. Forensic pathologist Dr. Jennifer Bolton testified that the wound would have required the knife to be held firmly.
The Spin
Narrative A
Everyone is entitled to a defense, but Simon Vickers' portrayal of events was completely inconsistent with the forensic evidence. The fatal injury sustained by Scarlett was clearly due to a knife, firmly gripped by her father, being pushed into her chest. This tragedy is heartbreaking for everyone involved, but that doesn't free Vickers from responsibility.
Narrative B
While the court clearly didn't see it this way, there's always a chance that Vickers's unusual portrayal of events is the truth. He and his daughter, whom he described as his "love," may really have mistakenly grabbed the wrong utensil when play fighting in the kitchen. It is clear that, irrespective of the sentencing, we shall never know for certain what really caused this family tragedy.
