Final Text Messages of Slain Woman Elicit Tears in Grieving Family
Emotional Scene in Court as Slain Council Worker's Final Texts Revealed
In a tragic turn of events, Ashley Dale, aged 28, met her untimely demise in Old Swan, Liverpool, on the 21st of August, 2022.
Regrettably, Miss Dale was not the intended target. The assailant purportedly entered her abode with the intent to harm her partner, Lee Harrison. This heart-wrenching incident unfolded in the precincts of her home, as recounted in Liverpool Crown Court.
The accused, James Witham (41), Niall Barry (26), Sean Zeisz (28), Ian Fitzgibbon (28), and Joseph Peers (29), firmly refute any involvement in her tragic demise. It is alleged that this unfortunate event stems from an ongoing dispute with Lee Harrison. However, Witham has conceded to a charge of manslaughter.
Furthermore, the accused vehemently deny any conspiracy pertaining to Mr. Harrison’s demise, as well as any involvement in the possession of a prohibited weapon—a Skorpion sub-machine gun—and its accompanying ammunition.
Kallum Radford (26) also stands in denial of allegations suggesting assistance to an offender.
The courtroom bore witness to a poignant snapshot taken by Miss Dale herself, featuring her cherished dachshund companion, Darla. Mere moments before her life was tragically cut short, at 11:51 pm on the eve of the 20th of August, she shared this poignant image with a friend, accompanied by the words: “Any need for my child?”
In an unprecedented turn of events, a woman expresses an extraordinary level of fear. She appears to be terrified of an external presence, leaving her companion utterly perplexed and her nerves in a state of disarray.
The ordeal reaches such an extent that she clings to her companion’s side like a helpless infant, seeking comfort amidst the chaos.
Compelling images were presented to the court, showcasing the deliberate vandalism of Miss Dale’s vehicle, a calculated act executed at precisely 11:40 PM. The intention was clear – to lure the occupants out from the safety of their abode.
In response to this alarming occurrence, Miss Dale promptly messaged Mr. Harrison, notifying him of the triggered car alarm. His response carried a mix of disbelief and concern, addressing the situation with a touch of dark humor.
Minutes before the tragic event unfolded, Miss Dale conveyed an eerie message, implying an impending sense of doom. She reached out to her mother, Julie Dale, at 11:46 PM, recounting the unsettling experience of her car alarm going off due to the rain.
Her mother’s reply, though seemingly casual, conveyed an undertone of concern, and in Miss Dale’s response, one could sense a tinge of unease, alluding to the heatwave’s ominous presence.
The court was presented with Miss Dale’s poignant message to her mother, encapsulating a sense of impending finality.
Upon witnessing these messages, Mrs. Dale was overcome with emotion, her tears bearing testament to the depth of her grief.
Phone records unveiled that at precisely 00:32 AM, Miss Dale took five deliberate steps. Minutes later, she attempted to contact Mr. Harrison, but her call remained unanswered, leading to a one minute and forty-three-second voicemail.
The surveillance footage captured a Hyundai vehicle, subsequently identified in connection with the shooting, entering Miss Dale’s driveway at 00:30 AM. Mere minutes later, it departed from the scene, leaving behind an air of uncertainty.
As the court viewed the bodycam footage of police officers arriving at Miss Dale’s residence, her father, Steve Dunne, found it necessary to leave the courtroom, undoubtedly overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation.
The medical evidence presented painted a grim picture. A single bullet, piercing through her liver and the right chamber of her heart, brought forth the tragic end of Miss Dale’s life. Tragically, she was declared deceased at the hospital at 01:48 AM.
The trial endures, as the pursuit of justice presses forward.
