Accused had alcohol syndrome, court told
A self-confessed alcoholic accused of teaming up with a friend to murder a Bilston man was diagnosed with "drink dependency syndrome" following the attack, a jury heard.
A self-confessed alcoholic accused of teaming up with a friend to murder a Bilston man was diagnosed with "drink dependency syndrome" following the attack, a jury heard.
Jason Talbot, aged 35, one of two men accused of murdering Peter White in the town centre last October, has the syndrome, according to a psychiatrist.
Talbot, of Rocket Pool, Bradley, and Arthur Henry, 45, of Rosemary Avenue, The Lunt, Bilston are alleged to have killed Mr White by beating him on October 9 last year as he sat on a park bench.
The duo, who claim to have little recollection of precisely what happened, are then said to have gone to play pool, eat chips and drink with £20 taken from the victim.
Dr Harm Boer, the consultant psychiatrist who examined Talbot, told a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday that Talbot had an "abnormal" mind due to his dependency of alcohol.
He said: "It is very clear that he has alcoholic dependence syndrome. From the evidence presented to me, medically I can say that he suffers from a severe disorder."
He added there were issues concerning his memory and memory loss of alcohol dependence. In cross-examination, prosecutor Timothy Spencer QC said: "I put it to you that he may be telling lies." Dr Boer replied: "He may be."
Talbot, who was arrested in the early hours of the next morning sleeping fully clothed, had trainers splattered in blood the jury heard was a "billion to one" match to the victim.
The trial was also told last week that Talbot had been drinking cider for eight hours before the incident.
CCTV appears to show Talbot and Henry kicking and punching 47-year-old odd job man Mr White in the attack which killed him. Earlier the jury heard evidence from Talbot, who claimed he and Henry never searched or stole anything from Mr White.
Talbot said: "I attacked him because he was butting in – coming up and saying I was a bully. He was just muttering things and swearing.
"I can only remember punching him two or three times. I was hitting him around the side of the face. I do not remember kicking him."
He and Henry both deny murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility, claiming they were not in control of their actions because they were drunk.
The trial continues.
