DAY TEN 14:40
Day ten - Prosecution closing speeches
Nigel Power QC, prosecuting, is in the middle of his closing speech here at Chester Crown Court.
The barrister reminds the jurors of the evidence of the pathologist Dr Rodgers, who Mr Power described as an assured and reliable witness.
The jurors are reminded that pathologist described bruising to the neck and two significant fractures of bones in the neck.
The pathologists had said the first fractured bone was a typical injury you would see with a compression of the neck, the jurors are told.
The second bone had cracked completely, according to Dr Rodgers.
Dr Rodgers, Mr Power reminds the jury, had said the compression of the neck had been prolonged and had lasted at least a minute.
14:51
Prosecution barrister outlines assessment jury needs to make
The pathologist had said the bruising found to Leanne McKies mouth had suggested pressure had been applied to her mouth, the jurors are told.
Mr Power suggested the defendant had put his hands over his wifes mouth to prevent the neighbours from hearing anything.
Just how loud was she screaming for that to be necessary? asked Mr Power.
He continued: Thats a vital aspect of the evidence: your assessment of whether the defendant was acting in a determined pursuit of causing at least bodily harm or whether your intention was was only to cause minor harm that went tragically wrong.
15:04
Barrister timed a minute in complete silence to demonstrate utterly compelling evidence of strangulation
Mr Power tells the jurors that the Crowns case is that the defendants action after the killing showed a conscious, calculating and serious steps to cover his tracks.
The barrister continued: He was someone able and determined to carry out whatever he wanted to carry out.
The evidence from the pathologists about the strangulation was utterly compelling evidence, he added.
The injury had suggested prolonged force, said Mr Power, reminding the jury the pathologist had said it would have taken at least a minute to strangle Leanne McKie.
The barrister asked: If you did it for so long, would you be able to feel the life literally ebbing away from the person you are strangling?
He continued: Lets see how long a minute might feel. Imagine during that minute the defendant with his one hand over his wifes mouth and throughout that time exerting a significant degree of pressure or significant force.
The barrister then timed a minute during which there was complete silence in court two.
15:18
Prosecution lists 'lies' Inspector McKie is said to have told police
The jurors are told that the defendant had lied and told absolute whoppers during his police interview.
Mr Power said:
He told a number of lies, huge lies, absolute whoppers designed to frustrate the police and designed to carry on with the cover up.
The barrister then listed eleven lies the defendant is said to have told police.
1. That his wife knew the surveyor was coming
2. That he got home between 12.30pm and 1pm.
3. That he went out at midnight rather than 10.30pm
4. That he turned left on Arlington Way after leaving his home rather than right towards the car.
5. He said he was panicking about his missing wife.
6. He said he washed his clothes because of work commitments.
7. He said a text message he had received from his wife while at work had suggested everything was normal.
8. He said no-one was at home when he got home because Leanne didnt want to be there for the visit of the surveyor.
9. He said he was getting on alright with Leanne and there were no issues.
10. He said the couple had jointly applied for a second mortgage.
11. He said he left his phone at home when he went out to look for his wife because it needed charging rather than leaving cell site evidence.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...-news/darren-mckie-murder-wife-trial-14368526
