McNeill, R. v [2023] NICC 28 (13 October 2023)

McNeill, R. v [2023] NICC 28 (13 October 2023)

The minimum term for life imprisonment is set at 15.5 years, reflecting a higher starting point of 16 years due to the victim's vulnerability, aggravating factors including planning, arming in advance, and close-range shooting, varied upwards to 19 years, then reduced by one-sixth for the guilty plea and further...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] NICC 28
Parties
Prosecution: The King; Defendant: Connor McNeill
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Judgment Date
13 October 2023
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Sentencing
Outcome
Minimum term of 15.5 years imprisonment for murder; 9 years concurrent for second count.
Legal Topics
Murder, Sentencing, Minimum Term, Mitigation, Aggravating Factors
Criminal Law Murder Sentencing Minimum Term Mitigation Aggravating Factors

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Parties

The King

Prosecution

Connor McNeill

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Sentencing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Determination of minimum term for life sentence for murder
  2. 2 Assessment of aggravating and mitigating factors
  3. 3 Significance of alleged threats in mitigation

Ratio Decidendi

The minimum term for life imprisonment is set at 15.5 years, reflecting a higher starting point of 16 years due to the victim's vulnerability, aggravating factors including planning, arming in advance, and close-range shooting, varied upwards to 19 years, then reduced by one-sixth for the guilty plea and further mitigating factors.

Court Disposition

Minimum term of 15.5 years imprisonment for murder; 9 years concurrent for second count.

Orders

  • Life imprisonment imposed for murder with minimum term of 15.5 years before eligibility for parole.
  • Defendant to be included on barred list relating to adults by Independent Barring Board.