Matthew Farmer’s advice to grieving family resurrects a historic murder investigation, leading to the double conviction of Robert Trigg at Lewes Crown Court for murder and manslaughter.
New up to date television documentary on Channel 5 and My5 TV revealing the failings by the Police and Coroner in investigating the double homicide case against Robert Trigg. This documentary features the crucial input and advice of Matthew Farmer of 2 KBW that led to the conviction of a man for a murder and manslaughter, separate offences that were committed 5 years apart. The programme examines the strengths of the evidence and the lack of weight attached by the Police to Mr Trigg’s previous domestic violence, and the changing account he gave to Police as to what took place. Matthew was instructed by the parents of the 2nd victim Susan Nicholson, to advise on whether they could bring a private prosecution against Robert Trigg for their daughters’ murder. Peter and Elizabeth Skelton had spent 4 years complaining about the Sussex Police’s refusal to proceed with a case of murder. Numerous complaints to the IPCC had been rejected. In December 2015 they instructed Matthew Farmer through Bennet Griffin solicitors to advise as to whether there was any way forward. Matthew Farmer advised that the evidence strongly pointed to murder, and there had been a number of failings in the Police investigation. Whilst ultimately a private prosecution would be likely ultimately to succeed the better route was to try and persuade the Sussex Police to re-open the case, charge Trigg with murder, and allow the case to be prosecuted by the CPS with all the resources at their disposal. Matthew Farmer contacted Dr Nathaniel Cary for a 2nd pathology report into the death of Susan , on the basis that the Police original pathology report appeared to him to be weak. In its conclusions. Dr Cary concluded that the most likely mechanism for death was deliberate manual strangulation. He concluded Ms Nicholson was suffocated by having her head forced into a bed. Trigg had claimed he had rolled on top of her while they pair were asleep on a sofa. This combined with the other available evidence allowed Matthew Farmer to draft letters to the Sussex Police who were finally persuaded to reverse their long-held position, and interview Trigg and charge him with the murder of Susan Nicholson, and the homicide of a previous partner Caroline Devlin. Robert Trigg was found guilty of both these offences at Lewes Crown Court in July 2017.
https://www.channel5.com/show/a-killer-makes-a-call/season-2/6703e435-8742-4ce3-829f-e03cdf9e63f0
