At Liverpool Crown Court, murder suspect Connor Walsh is facing intense scrutiny as his testimony reveals a turbulent series of events both inside and outside the prison. Walsh, one of three defendants charged over the murder of Rikki Berry, has been in the dock alongside Adam Williams and Michael Smith. Mr Berry, also known as “Nuggy”, was fatally shot outside his girlfriend’s house on Quarryside Drive in Kirkby on July 17 last year by a balaclava-clad assailant, who fired three shots.
While Michael Smith admits being the gunman, he claims that “his intention was simply to frighten Mr Berry”. Meanwhile, Williams and Walsh are alleged to have conducted a “reconnaissance mission” on the address prior to the attack and later traveled together in a black SUV during the drive-by shooting. Walsh himself accepted that he was carried in the back of the car at the time the shots were fired, with his DNA found on a bullet casing and on the magazine of the firearm, reported by Daily Record.
Under questioning from defense counsel Nick Johnson KC, Walsh described his phone contact with Williams on the day after the shooting. He replied: “[It was about] just the same stuff as the day before. What we were going to do and why did he do it, were we going to talk to the police.” When asked “what they decided” in this regard, Walsh continued: “No. If you become a grass in Kirkby, there’s consequences.” He further reported that his “mood at this time” was “still in panic” and “scared”, adding: “I was wondering whether to go to the police or not. I was still in two minds whether to go or not.”
Walsh also recounted further phone exchanges. On July 19, while in contact with the phone of Smith’s girlfriend, he said: “Basically, he was saying he didn’t mean to do it and he’s sorry. I don’t want to be going down for murder, keep your mouth shut. You don’t want to be known as a grass in this area. I took that as a threat.” When Mr Johnson asked “what he said that he took as a threat”, Walsh added: “Just that you can’t be known as a grass in Kirkby. You know what will happen.” Later, discussing a brief 22-second call about a jacket left in the back garden, he added: “He left a coat in the back garden. I weren’t aware of that. I didn’t see that.”
At one point, Walsh explained his decision to discard his phone’s SIM card, stating: “I just wanted to get rid of it. I wanted to distance myself away from the situation. I kept hold of the handset. I just got rid of [the SIM card], just disposed it into the bin.” He later told the jury: “I was scared of the repercussions of what would come out of it if I became a grass.” Walsh admitted he was “telling lies” during subsequent interviews after turning himself in at Copy Lane Police Station on July 31, remarking: “You don’t wanna be named as a grass in Kirkby. I was scared what could have happened.”
Asked about his current feelings, Walsh replied “ashamed”, and explained his descent into trouble by stating: “Bad drug habit. Cocaine.” During a second interview on August 7 regarding DNA evidence, he said: “I was shocked. I’ve never seen or handled any bullets. Never in my life.” Walsh later added in a revised defense statement: “They were lies. Just the same. The repercussions of being a grass.”
In cross-examination, when questioned about collusion with Adam Williams, Walsh replied: “No. There was more DNA on the gun. I thought it was the right thing to grass now, regardless of repercussions.” All three defendants deny murder and possession of a prohibited weapon with intent to endanger life. While Michael Smith has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, Williams and Walsh have pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.
