The man accused of the murder of Elle Edwards in a botched gang shooting told a jury "he did not want revenge" after learning a friend had been shot in the leg.
Connor Chapman, 23, who sat a couple of yards away from Elle's family in the public gallery, began giving evidence yesterday (Tuesday) in his trial at Liverpool Crown Court. He denies being the gunman who fired 12 shots at a group of people outside the Lighthouse Pub, Wallasey Village, shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve last year.
Elle, 26, was struck twice in the head by bullets fired from a Skorpion sub-machine gun, while the killer's alleged "intended targets" - Kieron Salkeld and Jake Duffy - were seriously wounded. Three other men, described as "innocent bystanders", were also injured.
READ MORE: Elle Edwards latest: Live updates as Connor Chapman enters witness box
Nigel Power, KC, prosecuting, has told the jury the shooting was the "culmination" of a feud between rival gangs based around the Woodchurch estate, where Chapman lived, and the Beechwood/Ford estate, where Salkeld and Duffy lived.
A "precursor event" to the Lighthouse shooting, the prosecution claim, included the shooting of a man called Curtis Byrne in Orrets Meadow Road, Woodchurch, on December 3. The jury has heard Byrne had committed a burglary alongside Chapman and an associate called Mason Smith on November 18.
Chapman, who appeared wearing a white shirt and tie and with his long hair tied into a bun, was questioned by his barrister, Mark Rhind, KC, about his life on the Woodchurch estate.
Chapman said he knew Byrne from the neighbouring Noctorum estate and said he spent time with "him and his mates" since leaving custody in June, 2022.
Asking about the burglary, when electric bikes were stolen from an address in Thirlmere Avenue, Birkenhead, Mr Rhind said: "Was that anything to do with any dispute between anyone on Woodchurch and the Ford or anywhere else?”
Chapman replied: "Not that I was aware no." He told the jury that he found out Byrne had been shot in the leg a few days later.
However he said: “It would never have had anything do with the burglary. He was doing a lot of things." Mr Rhind, referring to the shooting of Byrne, said: "It’s said to be part of tit for tat relations between these two groups. Do you know if that’s anything to do with groups from the Woodchurch or elsewhere?”
Chapman replied: “I wouldn’t assume so. Mason didn’t get shot and I didn’t get shot.”
Mr Rhind asked: “How did you feel when Curtis Byrne was shot?”
Chapman said: “Obviously he’s a friend but I knew he was ok. I wasn’t angry about it.”
Mr Rhind asked: “Did you want to do anything about it? Did you discuss doing anything about it?”, which Chapman denied.
He was then asked: “Did you want revenge for Curtis Byrne being shot?”. Chapman responded: "No not at all."
Chapman was also questioned on allegations he was involved in gang activity on the Woodchurch estate. Mr Rhind asked: "Do you consider yourself to be involved in organised criminality?”.
Chapman responded: “I’m not part of an organised crime group."
When asked how he would describe what the prosecution suggested were "the Woodchurch gang", Chapman said : “I wouldn’t really say there is a gang on the Woodchurch, more people who hang around on the Woodchurch itself.”
Mr Rhind also questioned his client about the Beechwood/Ford estate gang, asking: “Do you have a difficulty with people from the Ford Estate?”
Chapman replied: “Not necessarily no" and said he used to spend time in the area in around 2019.
Mr Rhind asked specifically whether he had any issues with the men shot outside the Lighthouse, Salkeld and Duffy. Chapman said he "knew of" Salkeld, who he said was known by the nickname 'Scouse'.
He said: "He’s not a friend. I wouldn’t go as far as saying he’s an enemy. I’ve met him before yeah....There has been disputes in the past where people didn’t see eye to eye."
In relation to Duffy, who was shot in both legs, he said: "“There’s isn’t much of a relationship. I grew up with Jake but in the last four years, since 2018, I haven’t really spoke to him or associated with him. Our mums were best friends growing up. We were always round the house. I would say I grew up with him yeah."
He added he "never had a problem" with Duffy.
Mr Rhind also addressed a serious beating dished out by Salkeld and Duffy to a man called Sam Searson, the day before Elle was shot. The jury has head Searson was one of 36 names on a gang injunction served on Chapman in November, setting out people he was prohibited from associating with.
Mr Rhind asked about Chapman's views on Searson, and was told: "I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s an enemy but I dislike him." When asked why, he said: "When I was in custody from December, I can’t really remember the time and date, I was in custody with a close friend. Sam had been sleeping with his girlfriend while we were both in custody."
Chapman added that he did not bear any "grudge" towards Salkeld and Duffy for the attack, telling the jury: "If you want me to be completely honest, I did think it was quite amusing."
Chapman denies Elle's murder, attempting to murder Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, wounding with intent against Liam Carry and Harry Loughran, assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Nicholas Speed and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He is due to continue giving evidence to the jury on Wednesday morning.
Alongside him in the dock is 20-year-old Thomas Waring, of Private Drive in Barnston, who has pleaded not guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and handling stolen goods. The trial continues.
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