Millie Martin murder: Why did the court prosecute Rachel Martin?
BARRY McCarney, 33, has been jailed for life at Dungannon Crown Court for the murder of 15-month-old Millie Martin. He is guilty of murder, sexual assault and causing grievous bodily harm.
The victim had bruises to her body, 21 broken ribs and a fatal injury to her head.
In 2009, at the time of the murder, McCarney had been dating Millie’s mother Rachael Martin, 27. They had been an item for three weeks.
Barry McCarney was captured on CCTV arriving at Erne Hospital, in Northern Ireland (see photos). Millie died a day later. McCarney had sexually abused her. He blamed Rachael Martin. She was prosecuted for allowing her daughter to die though “wilful neglect“. She was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The judiciary was cruel. In October, Rachael Martin stood in the dock alongside McCarney. The prosecution alleged that Rachel Martin “wilfully closed her eyes to what she knew or ought to have known was happening“.
His barrister told the court:
“She [Rachael] didn’t want the doctor, the social services involved not because Mr McCarney was doing these terrible things with her permission, but that she was doing these things herself.”
She had to prove her innocence. That should not be how the justice system works…
Posted: 5th, December 2012 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
