Son admits killing mum
A Shropshire man today admitted the manslaughter of his 85-year-old mother by strangling her in her home. A Shropshire man today admitted the manslaughter of his 85-year-old mother by strangling her in her home. Edward William Purcell, 63, denied murdering his mother, Marjorie Miller Purcell, but today made a formal guilty plea to an alternative charge of manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court, which the prosecution said it had accepted. Mrs Purcell was found dead at her bungalow at Mead Croft, Madeley, in Telford, on July 23. Purcell, of Ten Tree Croft, Wellington, had previously denied murder but asked for the indictment to be put to him again today. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star.
Edward William Purcell, 63, denied murdering his mother, Marjorie Miller Purcell, but today made a formal guilty plea to an alternative charge of manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court, which the prosecution said it had accepted.
Mrs Purcell was found dead at her bungalow at Mead Croft, Madeley, in Telford, on July 23.
Purcell, of Ten Tree Croft, Wellington, had previously denied murder but asked for the indictment to be put to him again today.
Mr Christopher Millington QC, prosecuting, told the court: "We have taken the view that the necessary intent for murder is absent in this case.
"He has always admitted that he squeezed his elderly mother's throat for a few seconds."
Mr Millington told the court that a post mortem examination had showed that Purcell put pressure on a nerve in the neck.
The court heard Dr Eddie Tapp, Home Office pathologist, said in his report that a "moderate" amount of force was needed to kill her.
Mr Millington told the court that Mrs Purcell had suffered vagal inhibition - where a very small amount of pressure around the neck for "just a few seconds" causes the heart to stop.
Mr Millington said: "We accept the appropriate plea on the basis of lack of intent."
At today's hearing Judge Simon Tonking told Purcell he faced a difficulty in sentencing him today because he did not have any reports.
But Judge Tonking told the court he believed he would be sentencing Purcell on the basis that he was a man of good character.
He said there was one police matter on Purcell's record from 1981 but it was not relevant.
Purcell was the sole carer of his mother whose health was deteriorating at the time of her death.
Mr Stephen Linehan QC told the judge that Purcell "never accepted and never will accept that he had the intention for murder".
Mr Linehan added: "The defendant was not suffering from a mental illness of any kind but confirms what other doctors have said in this case that he was under extreme pressure in the circumstances that he was in."
Sentencing was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
By Kirsty Marston
