Inquest verdict is delayed

Jul 2 2009 by Laura Jones, Crosby Herald

A NARRATIVE verdict will be recorded on the death of Merseyside man Gary Jenner an inquest heard.

Coroner Christopher Sumner told relatives and witnesses at Bootle Town Hall that his verdict into Mr Jenner’s death would be read on July 17, three weeks after the four day hearing concluded on June 26.

Mr Jenner, of Litherland, died after a fight with taxi driver Luke McCormick over a chip shop sausage ended in tragedy.

Mr McCormick held the 28-year-old face down in a headlock while at least three other men restrained his arms and legs as they waited for the police to arrive at the Stanley Road takeaway.

A statement by pathologist Dr Alison Arm was read by the coroner on June 26 in which the expert said: “The degree of force being used [to restrain him] was in my opinion considerable. Such a force around the neck will prevent blood flow to and from the brain.”

Dr Arm added: “When police officers arrived his condition at this time was irreversible and death was inevitable.”

Giving evidence on June 25 Mr McCormick, who was aquitted of a manslaughter charge in 2007, denied any wrong-doing.

The coroner asked Mr McCormick if his use of force had been excessive, to which he replied: “The amount of pressure I was using to keep him on the floor was directly proportional to the amount of force he was using to try to get up.”

Speaking after the inquest Mr Jenner’s family said that they were still struggling to cope with his loss.

Mum Christine said: “

“I want to get in my mind what actually happened because with the court case we never got an insight into what happened.

“When Gary died he had just been engaged to Michelle only a matter of weeks – he was really excited.”