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The court case

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• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a husband, wife or partner >> Sarah - Interview 20 >> Sarah felt very angry at having missed the trial of the man involved in the crash.

Sarah’s husband, Russell, died in 2006 in a road traffic collision. He was driving a bus when the driver of another vehicle pulled out suddenly, causing the incident. Sarah was devastated and still feels that her life has been shattered.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a child >> Patsy - Interview 21 >> After Dorrie died two men were charged with owning the gun that killed him. Patsy thought that a trial would upset her even more, so did not attend th

In 1999 Patsy’s son, Dorrie, was shot. He died soon afterwards. Patsy was devastated, but through her belief in Jesus, her relationship with God, her work with Mothers Against Violence and other community work she has come to terms with Dorrie’s death.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a husband, wife or partner >> Jayne - Interview 07 >> Jayne wasn’t prepared for such a short trial. The man pleaded guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility so the judge had to decide only wheth

In 1992 Jayne’s husband, Jonathan Zito, was murdered by a man who had mental health problems. Jayne was shocked and traumatised. Since then she has had a great deal of counselling, which has been very helpful. She founded the Zito Trust.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a husband, wife or partner >> Martin - Interview 10 >> Martin met the CPS prosecutor before the trial and was shown the court. He was warned that it might be difficult to convict the bus driver of dangerou

Martin’s wife had a part time job as a lollypop lady. When she was standing on the pavement, she was hit by a bus, and died instantly. Martin was shocked. He is bringing up two children, which is a heavy responsibility. Counselling has helped him.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a child >> Dolores - Interview 34 >> Dolores had only one day in court. The man who killed her son had schizophrenia and pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility.

In September 2006 Dolores son, Tom, was fatally wounded. He was stabbed by a man who had schizophrenia. Dolores was in shock for at least a couple of months. Cranial therapy and meditation helped, but Dolores still feels very sad and depressed at times.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a brother or a sister >> Julie - Interview 09 >> Julie knew her sister had been stabbed to death but until the trial she thought that Shirley had only been stabbed once. During the trial she learnt t

In September 2006 Julie’s sister, Shirley, was murdered by Shirley’s ex-partner. She had suffered domestic violence for a while. Julie and the family were shocked. Julie now cares for Shirley’s son. She has been supported by her family and friends.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a husband, wife or partner >> Marcus - Interview 38 >> Marcus was surprised that the case at the Old Bailey was over so quickly. The man, who murdered Marcus’ fiancée, Louise, pleaded guilty and was senten

Marcus’s fiancée, Louise, was murdered in 1987. Marcus was shocked and his life was shattered. He found help through friends, family, the police, psychiatrists and art therapy. Today he finds help by helping others who have been bereaved in this way.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a brother or a sister >> Stephen - Interview 12 >> Stephen’s brother was killed as he was crossing the road. Seeing the defendant joking with friends annoyed Stephen and he was disappointed that his fa

In 2006 Stephen was crossing the road with his brother and brother-in-law. They were hit by a drunk driver. Stephen was severely injured and his brother was killed. The driver pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. It was a terrible shock.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a child >> Linda - Interview 15 >> The trial took place a year after Kevin’s death and lasted for over two weeks. Linda said it was horrific from start to finish. A man was found guilty

In 2007 Linda’s son, Kevin, was murdered. He was 27 years old. He was stabbed and died 5 hours later. It was a terrific shock to all the family. Linda misses Kevin tremendously but her spiritual beliefs have helped her cope with her grief.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a child >> Terri - Interview 19 >> The trial was very stressful. Two men were convicted of grievous bodily harm and one of murder. Terri was furious that the family’s wishes had been ig

In 2003 Terri’s son was stabbed to death in his home. His grandmother was attacked too. Three men were involved in the attacks. Terri was away. News of her son’s death was very traumatic. Counselling, Compassionate Friends, family and friends have helped.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a brother or a sister >> Adam - Interview 27 >> Adam was upset that no one was allowed to give his brother, Lloyd, a character reference in court. Adam also thinks that the young men who killed Lloy

In 2005 Adam’s brother, Lloyd, was murdered in the street. He was attacked by two men, who said that they were drunk at the time. Adam, his parents and friends were devastated. Since then Adam has worked hard to try to prevent other violent crime.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to traumatic death >> Lost a child >> Ann - Interview 24 >> Ann was angry that the man who killed her son will serve only 15 years before he can apply for parole. She is convinced that if he had used a gun he w

In 2005 Ann’s son, Westley, was murdered. He was attacked by a man with a knife. Ann and her family were devastated. Ann started the organisation KnifeCrimes.org which supports other victims of crime and which aims prevent other knife attacks.