Ex-commando, 34, admits killing married couple while their children slept upstairs but denies murder
Ex-commando, 34, admits killing husband and wife after ‘parking row’ while their children slept upstairs but denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility
Collin Reeves has admitted killing the couple in Norton Fitzwarren, SomersetStephen and Jennifer Chapple suffered multiple stab wounds inside their homeBearded defendant admitted manslaughter at Winchester Crown Court todayBut the plea was not accepted and a murder trial will take place later this year
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An ex-commando has admitted killing a husband and wife in their home while their children slept upstairs, but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Collin Reeves, 34, has admitted killing young married couple Stephen, 36, and Jennifer Chapple, 33, at their home in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, on November 21 last year.
The pair suffered multiple stab wounds while their two children, aged five and six, were asleep.
Their deaths were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of previous police contact.
Police confirmed they had previously been called to deal with rows, believed to be about parking issues.
Reeves lived next door to IT teacher Stephen and his garden centre worker wife Jenny. He admitted manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility at Winchester Crown Court today, but pleaded not guilty to murder.
But Adam Feest QC, prosecuting, said the plea of the lesser charge was not acceptable to the crown and they would be pursuing a murder trial.
Former soldier Collin Reeves, 34, has today admitted manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility
A picture of married couple Stephen and Jennifer Chapple was among floral tributes left at the scene of the incident
Reeves admitted killing young married couple Stephen, left, and Jennifer Chapple, right, at their home in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, on November 21 last year
A court artist’s sketch of Collin Reeves (left) in the dock at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on November 25
The defendant, who appeared via video link from HMP Exeter, spoke only to enter his pleas during the hearing before Mrs Justice Cutts.
The two counts of murder were read to Reeves, to which he pleaded not guilty, but said he would admit manslaughter.
Reeves, also of Dragon Rise, was remanded into custody to face trial at Bristol Crown Court on June 8 before Mr Justice Garnham. The trial is not expected to last more than a week.
The judge told him: ‘Your trial date, as you know, is for June 8. You heard there is more work being undertaken by your defence team and I am sure they will be speaking to you before that date.
‘In the meantime you will remain in custody.’
Following the couple’s deaths in November, tributes flooded in – including from Gregg Mockridge, headmaster at West Somerset College, where Mr Chapple worked.
He said: ‘Steve was a fantastic colleague at West Somerset College, a brilliant teacher that cared deeply about the students in his care. He led innovations in the use of technology across the school as well as within his own teaching.
Jennifer and her husband suffered multiple stab wounds inside their home while their two children, aged five and six, were fast asleep
Floral tributes and candles left at the scene in Dragon Rise, Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton in Somerset
‘Steve will be sadly missed by all staff and students and our thoughts and prayers go out to his children and wider family at this time.’
Rob Brooks, manager of the Otter Garden Centre, where Mrs Chapple worked in the coffee shop, said: ‘She was a well loved member of staff and a very kind person.
‘We all loved her and so did the customers. We are devastated. We will remember her as a beautiful, kind and dedicated mother and colleague.’
At a previous hearing, the court heard a specialist psychiatrist with knowledge of traumatic stress from military service had been approached to compile a psychiatric report.
