Rapid-fire machine gun featured in Ashley Dale’s murder trial
A firearms expert informed the court that the weapon employed in the killing of Ashley Dale in Liverpool has the capability to discharge up to 15 rounds per second.
The 28-year-old tragically lost her life on 21 August 2022, after being shot in Liverpool’s Old Swan area.
During proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that she succumbed to a single bullet fired from a Skorpion machine pistol.
Five men are currently standing trial, facing charges of murder. Among them, James Witham, aged 41, has confessed to manslaughter but disputes the charge of murder.
The other four accused – Niall Barry (26), Sean Zeisz (28), Ian Fitzgibbon (28), and Joseph Peers (29) – all deny the charge of murder.
The court has heard that Ms. Dale was not the intended target, as a gunman forcibly entered the residence in search of her partner.
Firearms expert Andre de Villiers Horne presented a genuine but decommissioned Skorpion pistol in court, providing the jury with an understanding of its functionality.
He explained that these firearms possess three settings, one of which enables continuous firing until the trigger is released or ammunition is exhausted.
Mr. Horne utilized a large plastic model of a bullet and cartridge to give a general demonstration of how guns are discharged. He also outlined the trajectory of bullets in Ms. Dale’s dining room and kitchen, including instances of ricochets.
The court was informed about approximately 10 bullets being discharged, striking a wall, washing machine, and a bar stool.
Responding to a query from Paul Greaney KC, who is prosecuting, Mr. Horne remarked on the fact that all bullets were fired in a singular direction, stating, “As they were all fired in one direction, I would lean towards the belief that they were aimed at a specific target rather than being discharged randomly.”
The trial is ongoing.
