Janice R. Andrews
A student from Blundell’s School in Tiverton, where yearly tuition may approach £45,000, is on trial at Exeter Crown Court for allegedly using a hammer to viciously strike two of his roommates while they were sleeping. The trial is quite horrific. The 17-year-old defendant, who remains anonymous for legal purposes, claims he was sleepwalking at the time of the attack.
The adolescent allegedly armed himself with four hammers and waited for his roommates to go to sleep before carrying out the attack in June of the prior year, according to prosecution statements made on the first day of the trial. According to allegations, he severely hurt both victims, breaking their skulls and caused a great deal of physical damage.
The ferocity of the attacks, according to the prosecution, suggests a murderous purpose, even though both victims were lucky to survive despite long-term brain damage. Additionally, the defendant is accused of attacking a housemaster who stepped in during the altercation.
The defense of sleepwalking was called into question by the prosecution, who presented evidence of the defendant’s pre-attack behavior, including using an iPad in the final seconds before the attacks. The accused allegedly stated that they were armed with the hammers in case of a zombie apocalypse, drawing inspiration from horror films.
Amidst the trial, Blundell’s School, a distinguished coeducational establishment in Devon, is under examination. Three counts of attempted murder against his housemates and the housemaster are refuted by the defendant.
The accused’s family is watching the trial from the public gallery as it proceeds. As the case progresses, stay tuned for updates.
