Student was in 'good spirits' just minutes before he was fatally stabbed, court hears
25.04.2023 - 20:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A student who was fatally stabbed on his way home from a Halloween party in south Manchester was in 'good spirits' just minutes before the fight that resulted in his death, a jury has heard.
Shiloh Pottinger, 19, is accused of murdering Manchester Metropolitan University student Luke O'Connor, 19, on Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield in October last year. Prosecutors allege Mr Pottinger reacted 'violently and unpredictably' to a comment made by Luke's friend Charlie Richardson about the skateboard Mr Pottinger was carrying. Mr Pottinger denies the charge of murder, but has previously pleaded guilty to posession of a bladed article.
Luke O'Connor was treated for eight stab wounds at the scene, before he was rushed to hospital where he later died after going into cardiac arrest, a jury heard.
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On the second day of Mr Pottinger's trial at Manchester Crown Court, jurors were played footage of a police interview of Luke's friend and housemate Daisy Wood taken on October 26 - less than 24 hours after Luke's death. The court heard that Daisy was one of two friends walking home with Luke in the early hours of the morning that day.
The court heard that Luke, Ms Wood, and Mr Richardson had decided to 'buy snacks' from the local parade of shops on Wilmslow Road before ordering a taxi home. In the interview played to jurors, Ms Wood told Detective Inspector Dave Montgomery that the trio were in 'good spirits' and were 'talking and laughing'.
The court heard that 'nothing stood out' to Ms Wood about Mr Pottinger, who she said was 'leaning against the shutters of a shop' as the three friends approached.
"I think what happened was Charlie and Luke made a comment about