Killers Smiled and Laughed as Jury Delivered Verdict in Tragic House Fire Case
Three individuals have been convicted of manslaughter but acquitted of murder following a devastating arson attack that claimed the lives of two elderly pensioners in St Helens. The tragic incident occurred on July 15 last year at 44 South John Street, where Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, lost their lives after sustaining severe injuries in the blaze.
Jury's Decision After Nearly 12 Hours of Deliberation
After 11 hours and 57 minutes of deliberation, a jury of six men and six women at Liverpool Crown Court returned their verdict on Tuesday, February 17. Kevin Weetman and Kylie Maynard were unanimously convicted of manslaughter, while Lee Owens had previously admitted to the same charge before the trial began. All three defendants were cleared of two counts of murder.
Observers in the courtroom reported that Weetman and Owens were seen smiling and laughing when the verdict was announced, while Maynard showed no visible reaction. The trio will face sentencing on Thursday, February 19, with Mr Justice Jay noting that Weetman qualified for a discretionary life sentence, describing him as "very dangerous."
The Fatal Fire and Its Intended Target
Prosecutor Nigel Power KC revealed that the fire was set shortly after midnight on July 15 by Paul Smith and Lee Owens. While firefighters and paramedics managed to rescue Eric and Sheila from the burning building, both victims succumbed to their injuries within days. The intended target was actually Sheila's son, George Jackson, who also lived at the property and had become embroiled in a dispute over drugs.
The prosecution detailed how approximately one month before the fire, Weetman and Maynard had attempted to recruit George Jackson as a drug dealer. After Jackson declined their offers multiple times, Weetman's attitude changed dramatically, demanding payment for drugs he had previously presented as a gift for helping Maynard when she had been robbed.
Defendants' Conflicting Accounts and Admissions
During the trial, the defendants presented varying accounts of their involvement. Owens admitted acting as a lookout but maintained he believed the property was empty and did not intend to harm anyone. He described his actions as "the silliest mistake I've ever made in my life" and expressed devastation over the deaths of "two innocent old people."
Weetman, a self-admitted drug dealer, vehemently denied any involvement in planning or executing the arson attack. "I'm a drug dealer, not a killer," he testified. "I don't set fire to people's houses. I don't go to where old people live." He claimed that threatening remarks captured on audio recording were merely "bravado" and "just chatting s*** on a rant."
Maynard similarly denied passing on instructions about setting the fire, though a video of the victims' funeral was discovered on her mobile phone. She claimed she had sent a message to George Jackson expressing sympathy for his loss.
Complicated Web of Relationships and Motives
The prosecution painted a picture of complex relationships within the drug trade. Weetman and Maynard were described as an "unbreakable team" involved in dealing drugs, while Owens claimed he had only met Smith about four weeks before the fire and was following him while "drugged up to the eyeballs and drunk."
Notably, Paul Smith died shortly after the fire and was not among the defendants, though all parties acknowledged he was one of the two individuals who actually set the blaze. Owens claimed Smith had told him he was targeting the house due to a personal dispute involving "some lad" who had "took the p*** with his bird."
The case highlights the tragic consequences when criminal disputes spill over into residential communities, claiming innocent lives in the process. As the three convicted individuals await sentencing, the families of Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson continue to mourn their senseless loss.
