PORTHCAWL DOORMAN CONVICTED OF MURDER AND HIS APPEAL REJECTED
Phillip Packer, aged 51 from Porthcawl, was found guilty of the murder of his former girlfriend Jenna Thomas and received a life sentence.His conviction was challenged through an appeal initiated by his legal team, who argued that a juror’s condolence message posted on a memorial website could have influenced the jury’s decision.
The appellate court, however, dismissed the appeal, stating that although the juror’s conduct was perhaps ill-advised, it did not compromise the validity of the verdict.
Packer and Ms Thomas had a relationship that lasted approximately two years before ending in May 2009.
Following their breakup, Packer struggled to accept it and began harassing her via phone calls and texts.
In June 2009, he convinced her to accept a ride to her workplace, took her out for breakfast at a café, then drove to a remote location where he strangled her to death.
Afterwards, he took her body to Porthcawl police station and handed himself in.
Packer admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but was ultimately convicted of murder by the jury.
He was initially sentenced to at least 18 years in prison, a term later reduced to 16 years after an appeal.
The appellate court examined a message left by a juror on a memorial website that expressed condolences, in which the juror stated, “I didn’t get a chance to say how sorry we all were for what happened!
I hope what we did somehow helps your family come to terms with such a tragic loss!!
Rest In Peace Jenna x.” His lawyers argued that this could suggest bias, but the judges decided it was just an expression of sympathy and that the juror had followed court instructions.
The court highlighted that the juror had listened to the evidence presented and that their expression did not amount to evidence of prejudice.
