The “intended target” of the shooting that killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel “had his enemies”, a jury has heard.
Manchester Crown Court was also told Joseph Nee had been shot at previously.
Nee, 36, was wounded when a gunman opened fire at 10pm on August 22, as he walked with his friend Paul Abraham in Dovecot, Liverpool.
He was able to scramble to his feet despite being shot twice, and barged into Olivia’s family home after her mum, Cheryl Korbel, 46, heard louds bangs and opened the door.
The court heard how the gunman continued his pursuit of Nee and fired two shots into the Korbel house, reports the Liverpool Echo, one of which passed through the front door, through Ms Korbel’s wrist, and into Olivia’s chest. A second shot lodged in the door frame.
Thomas Cashman, 34, of West Derby, Liverpool pleaded not guilty to mudering Olivia back in December and is now standing trial.
Today a series of agreed facts – pieces of evidence in the case that are not disputed by the prosecution or defence – were read to the jury by prosecutor David McLachlan, KC. He told the jury: “As of August 22, 2022, Joseph Nee and members of his immediate family had their enemies. Mr Nee was the intended target [of the Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting].”
The court heard there had also been an incident in March, 2018, in which Joseph Nee was shot at by someone. Mr McLachlan added: “The prosecution do not suggest the defendant, Thomas Cashman, was responsible for or involved in the incident in March 2018.”
The jury also heard of Nee’s previous convictions, recorded between 2001 and 2018, which included two for conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and possession of drugs with intent to supply, burglary, theft, aggravated vehicle taking and a public order offence.
This morning the prosecution concluded its case. Mr McLachlan has told the jury that the gunman, who he alleges was Cashman, lay in wait for around half an hour before approaching Nee on Kingsheath Avenue and opening fire. Cashman denies any involvement in the shootings.
CCTV recorded three loud bangs and showed how Nee, struck in the midriff, fell to the ground. However the jury heard he may have been saved by one of the guns, a 9mm handgun, “malfunctioning” as the killer seemed about to finish him off.
Olivia was rushed to nearby Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by two police officers who arrived on scene a short time later, but was pronounced dead at 11.24pm that night.
As well as denying Olivia’s murder, Cashman denies the attempted murder of Nee, as well as wounding Cheryl Korbel with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.
Cashman’s legal team, headed by Professor John Cooper, KC, will begin outlining its case this afternoon.
