Mother-to-be, 33, who was pregnant with twins was found dead on bathroom floor ‘after being stabbed more than 60 times by her partner’, court hears
A court has heard that Amber O’Brien, 33, who was nine weeks pregnant with twins, was found dead in her partner’s flat in Blackley, north Manchester. Her partner, Stephan Garner, admits killing her but denies murder; prosecutors say he stabbed her repeatedly after an argument, and the trial will decide whether he is guilty of murder.
O’Brien was found on 19 April, covered by a tarpaulin, after prosecutors say Garner spent about a day and a half cleaning the flat and disposing of items. A pathologist recorded more than 60 stab, incised and puncture wounds, including 32 to her face and neck. The couple had been together for around three months, and the court heard they had argued about his mood swings and her flat; Garner is expected to claim he lost control and did not intend serious harm.
- Amber O’Brien was found dead in her partner’s flat while pregnant with twins.
- Her partner admits killing her but denies murder.
- The trial is hearing evidence about the killing and their relationship.
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In England and Wales, murder charges are decided by a jury, which must consider what the accused intended as well as what happened. A person can admit causing someone’s death but deny murder; the court then hears evidence before the jury decides whether the charge is proved.
Amber O’Brien and Stephan Garner had been together for about three months. The case concerns the circumstances of O’Brien’s death and Garner’s account of his actions, which prosecutors dispute.
The trial also touches on O’Brien’s pregnancy and the couple’s relationship. Its outcome will determine whether Garner is convicted of murder or a different offence.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The prosecution’s case is that the number and location of the wounds, together with the alleged cleaning and disposal of items afterwards, support the conclusion that Garner intended to kill or cause really serious harm. On that view, admitting the killing does not settle the central question of murder, which turns on his intent at the time.
The case against
The defence may argue that Garner lost control during the argument and did not intend to kill or cause really serious harm, so the killing does not meet the legal test for murder. The jury must assess that account against the evidence and decide what he intended; the seriousness of the outcome alone does not determine his state of mind.