Courts / Dublin / Report
Throat-cutting trial comes down to recognition evidence, State tells jury
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, 49‑year‑old Mark Morgan pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm after allegedly cutting the throat of 22‑year‑old Dean Purdue outside Purdue's family home on 20 January 2017. The jury deliberated after a two‑day hearing before Judge Pauline Codd. Purdue testified that he was seated in his girlfriend's parked car, watching a video, when he felt a nudge and a sudden coldness, then a heat along his neck. He claimed a man, whom he identified as Morgan, shouted at him and fled. Purdue described a four‑centimetre jagged laceration, blood spurt, and subsequent surgery. Morgan denied the attack, stating he did not know Purdue personally and refused to disclose his whereabouts. The prosecution argued the case hinged on Purdue's recognition of Morgan, while the defence highlighted the absence of independent witnesses, CCTV, or forensic evidence. The jury was instructed to consider these points before returning a verdict.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Throat-cutting trial comes down to recognition evidence, State tells jury. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to Dean Purdue at Belcamp Lane, Priorswood, on January 20, 2017. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 20, 2017 Incident
- 2020-09-22 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Defendant
Charges: one count of assault causing harm to Dean Purdue at Belcamp Lane, Priorswood, on January 20, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Ferrycarrig Drive
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Belcamp Lane
Topics
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