Wednesday 1 December 2010

Classical Concert Murderer Facing Life Sentence


A knifeman, who plunged a blade through a French chef’s heart during a row over folding chairs as he left an open-air classical concert last summer, was convicted by a jury of murder today.

Karl Wills, 22, (pic.bottom) stabbed 37-year-old Reynald Duchene (pic.top) in the chest as he left the concert in Priory Park, Southend, Essex on Saturday, June 26, with family and friends. 



Wills, of Cranley Road, Westcliff, Essex had denied the charge but was convicted by the Chelmsford Crown Court jury after just three hours’ deliberation.

Mr. Duchene of Arlington Square, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex had been at the concert with his fiancée, her children and friends but became involved in an altercation with a group of men and women in Priory Crescent as he left the event.

Mr. Duchene was stabbed once in the heart in front of his fiancée Paula and friends.

Wills was arrested in Southend four days later and claimed the stabbing was an accident.

Detective Superintendent Tracy Hawkings of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “Today Karl Wills has been found guilty of the murder of Reynald Duchene.

“Mr. Duchene tragically lost his life a the hands of Karl Wills, after spending a celebratory evening at an open air concert in Southend, with his fiancée, her children and other close friends.

“At the end of the event, Karl Wills became involved in an altercation with Mr. Duchene during which he produced a knife and stabbed Mr. Duchene through the heart.

“It was a cold, callous and deliberate act which led to the tragic death of Mr. Duchene.

“I would like to pay personal tribute to Reynald’s family, his fiancée Paula and their friends who have conducted themselves with dignity throughout the court proceedings.

Reynald’s death has left them all completely devastated. I hope today's verdict will bring them some small comfort because they have seen the person responsible bought to justice.”

District Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, Michelle Brown said: “Wills went out that evening, to what should have been an enjoyable family event, but instead he armed himself with a knife with nothing more than the intention to do someone harm.

“He inflicted a single stab wound to the heart of his victim, which caused massive internal bleeding and ultimately resulted in his tragic death, because it was an internal injury he had no chance of getting any help.

“We are pleased the jury have returned a guilty verdict and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.”

Mr Duchene's mother Francine Beyles paid tribute to her son through a translator.

She said: “Reynald was a loving, kind and considerate man who loved and was loved by all.

“We wish to thank the investigation team who vigorously sought out the truth and provided us with support, hope and the strength to go on.”

Wills will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on December 13.

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