Mark Cotter KC, leading Emma Martin of Albion Chambers, represented one of five defendants charged with the murder of Michael Wheeler. The case was investigated as a ‘missing body killing’ and the trial was heard over six weeks at Bristol Crown Court.
Mark’s client asserted he was at an alibi address near to the killing when the fatal attack occurred. The prosecution disputed this and asserted Mark’s client was present at the time of the attack. The prosecution called evidence that Mark’s client’s telephone handset had never been successfully downloaded. However, during the trial, Mark highlighted that the unused material hinted that partial data may have been recovered from the phone. In consequence, it was discovered that some data had been recovered but not disclosed to the prosecution team.
The data established that Mark’s client’s phone had connected to a wifi router at the alibi address at a relevant time. Once the material was supplied to the defence, Mark advanced a submission of no case to answer on the murder count. The prosecution resisted this submission. However, it was allowed by The Honourable Mr. Justice Linden, resulting in a verdict of ‘not guilty’. Mark’s client was also charged with conspiracy to cause GBH and was found not guilty of that count by the jury at the conclusion of the trial.
Mark and Emma were instructed by Messrs Sansbury Douglas.
Mark Cotter KC defends at the highest level. Mark has experience of dealing with cases across the whole range of criminal allegations as exemplified by the profile details set out above. He has dealt with the most serious and complex cases involving allegations of violence, trafficking, harassment, dishonesty, public order, firearms, conspiracy, drugs (including legal highs), money laundering and driving (including death by dangerous driving). Mark has, for many years, been ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a leader in the field of crime at the London Bar.
