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What did Tommy Cashman do
Thomas Cashman guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, at her Liverpool home A “ruthless” drug dealer is facing life in prison after being found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in a shooting that repulsed Britain. Thomas Cashman, 34, was convicted of killing the “unique, chatty” little girl who had been getting ready to go to bed when he burst into her family home in Liverpool last August.
Olivia was standing behind her mother when Cashman opened fire while chasing another local criminal, Joseph Nee, who had sought refuge inside after seeing that the door was open. She was fatally struck by a single bullet that had gone through the door and the hand of her screaming mother, Cheryl Korbel.
Korbel, who attended every day of the near four-week trial, said she was “ecstatic” at the guilty verdict, and held aloft a pink teddy bear as she left Manchester crown court. Cashman sobbed in the dock as he was also found guilty of attempting to murder Nee, wounding Korbel with intent by shooting her through the hand, and two counts of possessing firearms. Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Photograph: Family Handout/PA He faces life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years when he is sentenced on Monday for what police described on Thursday as an “abhorrent” crime that shocked the country. Maria Corr, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire’s complex casework unit, described Cashman as a “ruthless criminal” and said it had been “a truly tragic case and one of the most complex I have had to deal with in my 32 years with the Crown Prosecution Service”. Thomas Cashman sobbed in the dock after the verdict. Photograph: Merseyside Police/PA There were gasps and cries in the packed courtroom as the jury foreman replied “guilty” when asked for the verdict. Cashman, who had described himself as “a dad, not a killer”, cradled his head in his hands and wept as the verdicts were returned, wiping his eyes with his hand.
His family shouted and swore as they left the courtroom. One woman who identified herself as Cashman’s sister angrily berated police officers, who she said were “stitching him up”. The woman, surrounded by police, continued: “All you’ve got on Tommy is driving round his own area selling weed and that’s all you’ve got Youse are stitching him up.” During the trial, jurors were told how Cashman was a cannabis dealer in Dovecot, where Olivia lived with her family, making more than £150,000 a year.
In court, he said he was not the masked man pictured on CCTV chasing Nee down the street and was at a friend’s house at the time of the murder. But the jury were convinced he was guilty. CCTV footage shows Thomas Cashman chasing Joseph Nee and shooting him – video
The prosecution case relied heavily on the evidence of a key witness with whom Cashman had been having a casual relationship.The woman, who gave evidence over three combative days in court, said the killer came to her house immediately after the shooting and said words to the effect of “I’ve done Joey”.The witness, whose identity cannot be revealed, has left Liverpool after receiving some of the most serious threats Merseyside police said they had ever seen.It can now be reported that the trial was due to take place in the city but had to be moved to Manchester because Cashman felt he would not get a fair hearing in Liverpool, where tensions ran high after the killing.
It can also be disclosed that another man, Paul Russell, has admitted assisting an offender by helping Olivia’s killer drive away from a house and disposing of his clothing. He will be sentenced at a later date. The Korbel family were at home on Kingsheath Avenue when they heard gunshots on the street outside.
Opening the door to see what was happening, Korbel was confronted with Nee, who ran towards their house, seeing the door was ajar. As Korbel went back inside and tried in vain to shut the door, she was shot in the hand by the same bullet that hit Olivia, who was standing behind her. It was a warm night and Olivia, a year 4 pupil at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic junior school, had been struggling to get to sleep, saying she was too hot.
She was at the bottom of the stairs when the commotion happened, and witnesses heard her say “Mummy, I’m scared”. Korbel tried to shield her daughter as Nee burst through her front door followed by Cashman. Nee was shot in the leg and torso but survived.
- Orbel said: “The door flew open, I was huddled over the baby because I couldn’t lift her by myself because of my arm.” She added: “There was blood everywhere.
- I knew it wasn’t right.
- I lifted her top and that’s when I knew she’d been shot in the chest.
- The trial heard from several witnesses who told police about “the worst screaming I’ve ever heard in my life” after the shooting.
A neighbour, Adele Maher, described seeing from her bedroom window a man dressed in “all black from head to toe” chasing another man. “He was running with an arm stretched out in front of him,” she told police. “Seconds later I heard another two loud noises followed by the worst screaming I’ve ever heard in my life. Footage released by Merseyside police shows moment of Thomas Cashman’s arrest – video Under cross-examination, his voice cracked as he said: “I’m getting blamed for killing a child. I’ve got my own children. I’m not a killer, I’m a dad. I’m getting blamed for something I haven’t done.” After the verdicts, a spokesperson for Rishi Sunak said: “The prime minister’s thoughts remain with the family and friends of Olivia during what must be an incredibly difficult time.” Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of Merseyside police, said Olivia’s murder had taken a “devastating” toll on the girl’s family.
She described Cashman as “despicable” and a “coward” for trying to hide his crimes. She said: “I simply can’t imagine the pain that they’re going through every day, and I offer my sincere condolences to Olivia’s family. But I would also like to pay tribute and pass my thanks on to the SIO Mark Baker and all of his team and the CPS for all the work that they’ve done over the past six months to make sure that we brought the person responsible for Olivia’s murder, Thomas Cashman, to justice.
“I know that will never bring Olivia back, but hopefully the family will get some small comfort in knowing the person that took their daughter away from them is now behind bars.” : Thomas Cashman guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, at her Liverpool home
Who is Thomas Cashman partner
Thomas Cashman’s girlfriend had her head in her hands when he was found guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Cashman was unanimously found guilty of the murder of the nine-year-old in her own home on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, on the night of August 22 last year.
- Drug dealer Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, was today (Thursday, March 30) unanimously found guilty of one of the most horrific crimes in Merseyside’s history.
- Cashman was also found guilty of attempting to murder Joseph Nee, wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm against Cheryl Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman’s family swear and shout ‘he’s innocent’ as they leave court As the jury foreman read his verdict, his girlfriend, Kayleeanne Sweeney, put her head in her hands while his family cried following the news. Cashman turned and shook his head at his family while wiping tears away from his eyes.
- As the family left the courtroom, they were heard shouting, swearing and protesting Cashman’s innocence.
- His sister could be heard shouting others were responsible for the senseless murder while she was ushered out of the court building by police officers and court security.
- When the family left the building, they were seen putting two fingers up to photographers and Ms Sweeney was also seen wearing a pink coat, the colour worn by Olivia’s family in her memory.
Manchester Crown Court previously heard during a three-and-a-half-week trial that Cashman “lay in wait” for Nee while armed with two loaded guns as his intended target watched a Liverpool FC v Manchester United football match on the television at his friend Timmy Naylor’s house on Finch Lane. Thomas Cashman (Image: Merseyside Police) A chilling piece of CCTV footage showed Mr Abraham running for his life as two loud bangs rang out. Convicted burglar and drug dealer Nee was shot in the midriff at this point and stumbled to the floor as a result of his injuries. Thomas Cashman’s family leaving Manchester Crown Court (Image: PA) But the gun malfunctioned, and Nee was able to escape. Cashman however continued his “ruthless pursuit” as he fled towards the Korbel family home. Forty-six-year-old Cheryl, alarmed by the gunfire outside, had stepped out of her house to investigate but quickly rushed back indoors when she saw Nee running towards her and away from Cashman – who was dressed all in black and had his face covered. A video recording of Merseyside Police detectives interviewing Mr Korbel was played to the jury at Manchester Crown Court today (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror) The assailant fired another shot with a second, backup weapon – a 0.3 calibre revolver – at this point.
This was the shot which claimed Olivia’s life, the bullet passing through the door and travelling through the mother’s hand before striking her in the chest. The schoolgirl had been upstairs in bed but was heard to say “mummy, I’m scared” as she ran to the bottom of the stairs to her mum having been startled by the commotion.
With Nee by now inside, Cashman then forced his arm around the door and fired one final shot which became lodged in the doorframe. Olivia was scooped up by the first police officer to arrive at the scene and rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after being critically injured, but was pronounced dead shortly before 11.30pm.
There were emotional scenes in court as Cheryl Korbel recounted the tragedy in a video interview with police, which was played to the jury. READ NEXT: Thomas Cashman found guilty of murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel Thomas Cashman wipes away tears as he’s found guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel Lies of cowardly killer who shot Olivia Pratt-Korbel couldn’t hide truth behind one of Liverpool’s darkest days Serena Kennedy vows to ‘hunt down’ those who ‘enabled’ the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel Thomas Cashman murder trial updates as guilty verdicts reached Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.
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Does Thomas Cashman have a family
Thomas Cashman’s family protested his innocence as they left the court after he was found guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel. The nine-year-old was fatally shot in her own home on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot on the night of August 22 last year. Drug dealer Cashman, of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, was today (Thursday, March 30) unanimously found guilty of one of the most horrific crimes in Merseyside’s history.
- Cashman was also found guilty of attempting to murder Joseph Nee, wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm against Cheryl Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel: the little girl at the heart of heartbreaking murder trial But after he was found guilty of the murder, his family protested his innocence in the courtroom while Cashman shook his head and wiped tears from his eyes.
Along with his family sat his partner Kayleeanne Sweeney who had her head in her hands while his family were seen crying. Relatives of Thomas Cashman, including his sister, left the courtroom shouting, swearing and protesting his innocence. She claimed others were responsible for Olivia’s murder, not her brother, as she was ushered out of the court building by police officers and court security.
Manchester Crown Square Crown Court previously heard during a three-and-a-half-week trial that Cashman “lay in wait” for Nee while armed with two loaded guns as his intended target watched a Liverpool FC v Manchester United football match on the television at his friend Timmy Naylor’s house on Finch Lane.
When he left the address with another man, Paul Abraham, the gunman approached them from behind and opened fire with a self-loading Glock-style pistol. Thomas Cashman (Image: Merseyside Police) A chilling piece of CCTV footage showed Mr Abraham running for his life as two loud bangs rang out. Convicted burglar and drug dealer Nee was shot in the midriff at this point and stumbled to the floor as a result of his injuries. Thomas Cashman’s girlfriend and family leaving Manchester Crown Court (Image: PA) But the gun malfunctioned, and Nee was able to escape. Cashman however continued his “ruthless pursuit” as he fled towards the Korbel family home. Forty-six-year-old Cheryl, alarmed by the gunfire outside, had stepped out of her house to investigate but quickly rushed back indoors when she saw Nee running towards her and away from Cashman – who was dressed all in black and had his face covered. Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot at her home in Dovecot (Image: Family handout/PA Wire) The assailant fired another shot with a second, backup weapon – a 0.3 calibre revolver – at this point. This was the shot which claimed Olivia’s life, the bullet passing through the door and travelling through the mother’s hand before striking her in the chest.
The schoolgirl had been upstairs in bed but was heard to say “mummy, I’m scared” as she ran to the bottom of the stairs to her mum having been startled by the commotion. With Nee by now inside, Cashman then forced his arm around the door and fired one final shot which became lodged in the doorframe. Olivia was scooped up by the first police officer to arrive at the scene and rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after being critically injured, but was pronounced dead shortly before 11.30pm.
There were emotional scenes in court as Cheryl Korbel recounted the tragedy in a video interview with police, which was played to the jury. READ NEXT: Thomas Cashman found guilty of murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel Thomas Cashman wipes away tears as he’s found guilty of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel Lies of cowardly killer who shot Olivia Pratt-Korbel couldn’t hide truth behind one of Liverpool’s darkest days Serena Kennedy vows to ‘hunt down’ those who ‘enabled’ the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel Thomas Cashman murder trial updates as guilty verdicts reached Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.
How long will Thomas Cashman serve?
UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Thomas Cashman, guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, sentenced to life
UPDATE: Thomas Cashman was today (4 April 2023) sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 42 years. Our statement on sentencing: “Today, Thomas Cashman has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 42 years for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel. “Cashman has shown no remorse for his actions, which have left so many devastated, by refusing to admit his guilt and putting the family through the ordeal of a lengthy trial. “His refusal to attend court to be sentenced is hugely disrespectful to Olivia’s grieving family.” A killer, who took two loaded guns onto the streets of Liverpool to shoot a man but instead fatally shot nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her home, has been convicted of her murder.
Thomas Cashman Thomas Cashman, 34, from West Derby, Liverpool, set out to kill Joseph Nee on 22 August 2022, armed with two guns. He lay in wait for his target who he chased down Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot. CCTV evidence presented at the trial recorded three loud bangs and showed how Joseph Nee, struck in the midriff, fell to the ground.
He was able to get away from his attacker due to one of the guns malfunctioning. He then ran to a nearby unconnected house for safety. This was the home of Cheryl Korbel and her family. Cashman did not give up and pursued Nee to the address. He fired again as Ms Korbel tried to block his entry to the house.
The bullet hit Ms Korbel in the hand, then hit and killed her daughter Olivia who was standing behind her. Olivia was rushed to nearby Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by two police officers who arrived on the scene a short time later, but she had been fatally wounded.
After the shooting, Cashman fled to the house of a woman he’d had a relationship with and changed his clothes. This woman became a key witness for the prosecution. The CPS applied for reporting restrictions to protect her identity. Senior Crown Prosecutor Maria Corr, of CPS Mersey Cheshire’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “This has been a truly tragic case and one of the most complex I have had to deal with in my 32 years with the Crown Prosecution Service.
“At the heart of it is a nine-year-old girl who has lost her life. Olivia Pratt-Korbel was in her own home, with her family, where she should have been safe. “By contrast, Thomas Cashman is a ruthless criminal who recklessly pursued another man, with no consideration of the consequences.
He was intent on violence that night, arming himself with two loaded guns. “He refused to display any guilt or remorse, denying his involvement throughout and putting Olivia’s family through the torment of a lengthy trial.” Cashman was arrested on 29 September 2022 and was charged with Olivia’s murder.
He was also charged with the attempted murder of Joseph Nee, wounding of Cheryl Korbel with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.
- Cashman denied the offences and told a jury during his trial that he had been in the area as a drug dealer, but was not the gunman.
- After a three-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, he was found guilty of all charges.
- He will be sentenced at a later date.
- Maria Corr added : “Working alongside Merseyside Police, who conducted a thorough and meticulous investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service was able to present compelling evidence in court that proved Cashman was the gunman who killed Olivia and ran away.
“Supporting Olivia’s family and the key witnesses in this case has been vital, so that the prosecution could present the strongest case at court. It was important that they felt able to give their best evidence, without fear. “Firearms have no place in our society and the use of them can devastate families, as this case has so tragically shown.
Press release first issued on 30 March 2023.
: UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Thomas Cashman, guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, sentenced to life
How long did Connor Chapman get?
Chapman was jailed for 48 years for the murder of Elle, 22 years for the attempted murders of Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, seven years for wounding, 18 months for assault, 15 years for possession of a firearm and three years for stolen property.
Was Cashman found guilty?
Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Mother ‘ecstatic’ as man found guilty of murdering nine-year-old
- A self-confessed drug dealer has been convicted of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel at her home in Liverpool last August.
- Thomas Cashman, 34, was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Olivia’s mother and two charges of possession of firearms by a jury at Manchester Crown Court.
- died after Cashman fired shots into the family’s home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on 22 August 2022, during what prosecutors described as a “ruthless pursuit” to execute another man.
Olivia’s mother Cheryl Korbel, holding a teddy bear, sat with her children in the court. Following the hearing she said she was “ecstatic” with the verdict. Image: Olivia Pratt-Korbel Image: Thomas Cashman
- Olivia’s death sent a shockwave throughout the community and across the country and a sense of horror that gun violence could spill into a family home.
- After the verdict, Merseyside’s chief constable Serena Kennedy described Cashman as a “coward”.
She said: “He’s despicable. He made great play in the trial that he’s a dad and yet he’s put Olivia’s family through this trial. I hope he reflects every morning when he wakes up behind bars and every night when he goes to sleep about what he’s put Olivia’s family through.” Image: John Francis Pratt (left), the father of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, leaves Manchester Crown Court after Thomas Cashman was found guilty of her murder In a separate trial,, where he fled after the shooting last August, and disposing of his clothing.
- He is also said to have disposed of a bag given to him by Cashman, which he believed to contain clothing.
- Read more:
- ‘Murder in mind’
In Cashman’s trial, the jury was told he had spent the day of Olivia’s killing “scoping out” his intended target, a convicted burglar called Joseph Nee. The prosecution said he had “murder in mind”. The jury was shown security camera footage of the moment Cashman fired multiple shots at Nee in the street outside of Olivia’s home. Image: CCTV images of the night have been released by Merseyside Police Image: CCTV footage of Cashman on Rothbury Road, Liverpool, walking to Finch Lane on the afternoon of 22 August
- After hearing the disturbance, her mother Ms Korbel had opened the front door and Nee took the opportunity to force his way inside to escape the gunman.
- The court heard that Olivia had come down the stairs saying: “Mummy, I’m scared”.
The gunman continued firing into the family home, with one bullet striking Ms Korbel in the hand before hitting Olivia in the chest. She was pronounced dead in hospital. Image: The bullet hole in Olivia’s door Detective Superintendent Mark Baker, the senior investigating officer in the case, told Sky News: “The circumstances around it were just abhorrent. She was cowering behind her mum because she was scared in her own home.
You always feel you’re safe in your own house. I think, as an investigation team, we could not believe that the gunman would continue to shoot into the house. I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like that before. “The community have been disgusted by his actions. They’ve been in fear of him for a long, long time.
He will know himself and will have to carry that responsibility.” The jury was also shown a video of the police interview with Ms Korbel in which she recounted what happened that night and described the moment she knew Olivia “had gone”. Image: Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel A key witness in the trial, a woman with whom Cashman had had a sexual relationship, told the jury that she was woken by him in her bedroom shortly after the shooting asking for a change of clothes. She said she also heard him say he had “done Joey”. Image: The moment Cashman was arrested
- ‘I’m a dad, I’m not a killer’
- Cashman had denied he was the gunman that night and told police “you’ve got an innocent man” when he was arrested a month later.
Giving evidence to the jury, he said he had been going about his business as a drug dealer at the time of the shooting. “I’m a dad, I’m not a killer,” he told the jury. Image: Cables from a missing CCTV recorder found by police at Cashman’s home The two firearms used by the gunman on the night in August last year have not been recovered and the investigation into Olivia’s death continues. Police have vowed to continue to remove guns and drugs from the street. “Olivia’s death should not have been in vain,” said Det Supt Baker. Image: Thomas Cashman Maria Corr, a senior crown prosecutor with the CPS Mersey-Cheshire complex casework unit, told Sky News: “We’re only a small wheel in the cog here, nothing will bring Olivia back, this is just for the family, some sense of justice, the person who ruined their lives, we’ve now got justice for them.” At the time of her death, Olivia’s family described her as “unique, chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born”.
Who are Cashmans parents?
Was Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting linked to murder of a gangster’s brother ten years ago? Killer Thomas Cashman believed that his intended target in botched hit had been hired to kill HIM in retaliation for unsolved 2013 killing, insiders claim –
Read more: ‘My daughter was just a job to him. How could he continue to shoot?’
Published: 14:26 BST, 4 April 2023 | Updated: 16:09 BST, 4 April 2023 Thomas Cashman believed his intended target on the night he gunned down little Olivia Pratt-Korbel had been hired to kill him as part of a revenge plot, it has been claimed. Insiders told BBC ‘s Panorama that the Liverpool thug, 34, wanted to take out Joseph Nee, 36, because he feared his rival was seeking retaliation for a gangland hit he had been linked to ten years earlier.
Cashman was questioned over the fatal shooting of Karl Bradley in 2013, after his body was found laced with bullets in a snow-covered garden just a few hundred yards from Olivia’s home in Dovecot. The 31-year-old victim was the brother of notorious gang boss Kirk Bradley, who is currently serving a 22-year jail sentence for heading a ruthless organised crime gang in Merseyside.
Cashman was never charged for the Bradley killing and it has never been solved by investigators – although the case has reportedly been reopened following his conviction. Karl Bradley’s body was found laced with bullets in a snow covered garden in Liverpool in 2013 Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murderer will be ‘kept in prison isolation for his own protection’ after gangsters placed a £250,000 bounty on his head It comes after sources told the Sun that Kirk was ‘keen to discuss the matter’ with Cashman as they faced crossing paths in Strangeways prison – raising the prospects of a violent showdown.
- After the Bradley murder, Cashman fled to Spain where sources described him as a ‘gun for hire’ who was nicknamed ‘the crazy Scouser’.
- A number of killings in Spain during this period remain unsolved.
- A source this week said: ‘He operated like a ghost.
- There will be fresh questions about what he got up to.’ They added: ‘Cashman was a prime suspect but police struggled to break a wall of silence.
‘Now a convicted child killer, Cashman has no allies in the city. There is a feeling they won’t protect him.’ Cashman will reportedly be kept in isolation in prison ‘for his own protection’ after gangsters placed a £250,000 bounty on his head. Karl Bradley was the brother of notorious gang boss Kirk Bradley, pictured, who is currently serving a 22-year jail sentence for heading a ruthless organised crime gang in Merseyside Insiders told BBC’s Panorama that Thomas Cashman, 34, wanted to take out Joseph Nee (left), 36, because he feared his rival was seeking retaliation for a gangland hit he had been linked to ten years earlier.
Cashman was questioned over the fatal shooting of Karl Bradley (right) in 2013, after his body was found laced with bullets in a snow-covered garden Cashman did not face Olivia’s family at Manchester Crown Court, whining about CPS lawyers turning his trial into a ‘circus’ because they had been celebrating putting him behind bars.
Pictured, Olivia Gang leaders fear the killer ‘knows too much’ and may ‘grass’ on other members in a bid to reduce his sentence. It comes as one insider told the BBC that Cashman’s claims that he was just a low ranking drug runner were completely false, insisting he was a key part of the organisation.
- Speaking anonymously and with a distorted voice, he told Panorama: ‘Saying he’s just selling weed? Not a chance.
- ‘Cashman has been a gunman for the Liverpool bosses for years.
- Everybody knows he’s got a body count.’ The source claimed he was ‘used by the bosses to settle disputes’ and to make people ‘pay up or threaten them if they get out of line.’ Cashman fatally shot Olivia and injured her mother Cheryl Korbel while chasing rival gangster Nee, who burst into Olivia’s home after Ms Korbel opened the door having a commotion outside on August 22 last year.
Police have theorised that Cashman may have been hired to kill Nee, but his exact motive remains unknown. A police cordon outside the West Derby home where Karl Bradley was killed in 2013 Karl Bradley, 31, who was the brother of notorious Liverpool gangster Kirk Bradley, was shot four times in his garden (Pictured: police at the scene of the 2013 murder) Cashman was feared in Liverpool’s Dovecot area as a £5,000-a-week cannabis dealer and a suspected hitman – so much so, that within days of Olivia’s murder his name was being openly mentioned on a YouTube podcast as a likely suspect, leading to Merseyside Police writing a cease and desist letter to the vlogger, The Express reports,
Where does Tommy Cashman live?
Thomas Cashman splashed his ill gotten gains on an expensive lifestyle – with a reputation for wearing designer brands. But those trappings of luxury will now seem an unimaginable distance away as he begins his life sentence for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
No Moncler, no Alexander McQueen, no Monterrain. No fancy restaurants, no luxury cars, no holidays to Ibiza or Marbella. The lengths he was willing to go to to keep himself decked out in high end brands were made clear after one of the most atrocious crimes in Merseyside’s history, reports the ECHO. READ MORE Thomas Cashman jailed for life for murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel as killer refuses to enter court On Monday (April 3) at Manchester Crown Court, the gangland killer offered the final insult to the family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel by refusing to appear in the dock to hear his sentence for her murder.
But he will now have at least 42 years behind bars to think about how his lifestyle led to the point he was willing to blindly pump bullets into a family home, in a desperate bid to finish off a fellow criminal. He will be in prison until he is at least 76 years old. Olivia Pratt-Korbel (Image: PA) Cashman, 34, had been chasing convicted drug dealer and burglar Joseph Nee, who barged inside while fleeing for his life. Merseyside Police say they have no clear evidence of why Cashman wanted Nee dead, but in the end the motive was not needed to prove Cashman had pulled the trigger.
Exactly how highly Cashman ranked in the criminal hierarchy is up for debate – indeed he was obviously willing to get his hands dirty – but there is no doubt he was operating at a higher level than an average street level dealer. Many believe he was more of an ‘enforcer’ or even an out-and-out contract killer, than simply a man who sold drugs.
But we know Cashman was enjoying the trappings of a decent income despite being officially unemployed. Cashman and his partner, Kayleeanne Sweeney, lived in a smart detached house in The Point estate in West Derby.The pair did not own the £280,000 property – it was rented from its owner, gang boss Christopher Gibney, who is on the run accused of leading a £186m cocaine and heroin conspiracy. Thomas Cashman, 34, has been jailed for a minimum of 42 years (Image: PA) The key witness in the case, a woman who had a ‘fling’ with Cashman, described his love of designer clothing. She told the police in her interview: “I never see Tommy wearing Under Armour.
He always looks smart Tommy. He had like Alexander McQueen, do you know what I mean? Moncler trainers. He was always dressed nice.” She also described how Cashman ‘was a generous lad’ and would buy ‘food from the butchers’ to hand out during the covid pandemic. But when she was questioned by John Cooper, KC, defending Cashman, who suggested her partner Paul Russell owed Cashman £25,000, she replied: “Wow.
That’s absolutely ridiculous. Tommy Cashman never dealt with stuff like that, that was too poxy for him. You’re making me laugh.” Cashman himself described how he had access to at least two more properties, flats in Huyton and Runcorn, as well as the home he shared with Ms Sweeney and their two children in West Derby.
Ms Sweeney herself drove a top of the range Land Rover Discovery Sport and ran a local beauty salon, which filed for voluntary liquidation shortly before Cashman was charged with murder. To protect that lifestyle, Cashman was prepared to go to chilling lengths. As judge Mrs Justice Yip said in her sentencing remarks: “He made it quite clear that he was a criminal who used threats and violence when it suited him.” She added: “The real gravity of this case is that a young child was shot and killed in her own home.
As children do, Olivia was coming downstairs to seek reassurance. Cheryl Korbel should have been able to give that reassurance and tuck Olivia back into bed. What happened instead was chilling and strikes fear not only into the immediate community but also into the minds of other children and their parents. Cheryl Korbel, the mother of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, outside Manchester Crown court (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror) The small crumb of comfort for the Korbel and Pratt families is that very little of that life will be spent as a free man.
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Who is Kayleanne Sweeney?
Olivia killer’s childhood sweetheart, 34, who is mother of his two young children leaves court after guilty verdict – as it’s revealed couple lived together in £450k home on upmarket estate paid for by his life of crime –
Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murderer and his girlfriend lived in a £450k Liverpool home Kayleeanne Sweeney lived a lifestyle funded by Thomas Cashman’s drug trade
Published: 19:55 BST, 30 March 2023 | Updated: 22:21 BST, 30 March 2023 The childhood sweetheart of the man who murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, has left court following his guilty verdict as it is revealed the couple lived together in a £450,000 home paid for by his life of crime,
Thomas Cashman and Kayleeanne Sweeney, both 34, lived together on an upmarket estate in Liverpool and lived a lifestyle funded by his criminal career as he made thousands selling drugs. Cashman has now been convicted of murdering schoolgirl Olivia last August after a botched attempt to kill convicted burglar Joseph Nee.
Liverpool ‘born and bred’, he grew up just a 15-minute walk from Olivia’s house on a terrace of council housing with his parents, Stephen – a meat porter – and Angela. Giving evidence, Cashman said he left school when he was 13 or 14, finding work delivering newspapers and washing cars before getting a job at fairgrounds in Wales.
Thomas Cashman, 34, was making £5,000 a week selling ‘kilos’ of cannabis by the time of Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murder Kayleeanne Sweeney, 34, leaves court after Thomas Cashman was found guilty of the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine By the age of 16 or 17 he was smoking cannabis on a daily basis, he said, making selling it a natural progression.
He met future partner Sweeney when they were barely out of primary school, and they were still teenagers when she became pregnant. Cashman told the jury he tried to ‘change my life around’ and stop dealing drugs when he became a father, beginning to sell cars instead.
- But by the time of the murder, he was earning up to £5,000 a week selling ‘kilos’ of cannabis to contacts living around Finch Lane – the main road at the top of Olivia’s street.
- His life of crime enabled him and Ms Sweeney to afford to live in their £450,000 detached house on an upmarket development where residents drive Bentleys and Teslas.
The couple, who have a son aged 14 and a four-year-old daughter, are understood to have been paying £2,000 a month for the four-bed rented property from the end of 2021, with Ms Sweeney driving a Land Rover Discovery Sport. In addition, they were renting a luxury two-bed apartment in block overlooking the River Mersey.
- Giving evidence, Cashman said he earned as much as £250,000 a year through his illicit trade and insisted he was not ‘a bad person’ as he didn’t sell Class A drugs.
- Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, was murdered in her home after Cashman’s failed attempt to kill a convicted burglar He said the money was spent on cars, bikes and holidays.
Asked in court whether Ms Sweeney knew the source of his extraordinary wealth – more than seven times the average salary for the area – Cashman replied: ‘She never asked me, I never told her.’ However, he admitted she and her parents would have had ‘suspicions’ that he was a drug dealer.
What are the previous convictions of Thomas Cashman?
He was most recently convicted in July 2018 of two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, danger driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified. He was handed a 45 months jail sentence after admitting to the crimes.
What happened to Johnny Cashman Jr
Episode Transcript – Welcome back to Bite-Sized Crime. This week I’m bringing you a baffling case – a tragic death that has left a family desperate for answers. This episode discusses sensitive topics and includes graphic descriptions, so listener discretion is advised.
In the spring of 2022, 38-year-old Johnny Cashman Jr. was living and working in Lynchburg, Virginia. He rented a second-floor apartment in the Diamond Hill district near the James River, not far from downtown Lynchburg. Johnny’s family lived 800 miles away in Maine, but Kim Cashman called her son every day to make sure he was taking care of himself and not getting into trouble.
And she had reason to worry: Johnny had struggled with alcohol addiction for years, and he had been arrested several times in the past when his drinking had led to choices such as driving under the influence and assault. Johnny also battled with depression, and Kim worried about him being on his own.
So when Johnny suddenly stopped communicating, Kim knew immediately that something was wrong. The last time Johnny spoke with his family was on April 14, 2022. After that, he no longer responded to texts or calls. This was completely out of character for him – even when he was in dire straits, he always talked to his family.
For days, the Cashmans tried to reach out to Johnny, but eventually they knew they needed real help. On April 19th – five days after their last contact – Kim called the Lynchburg Police Department and asked them to perform a welfare check at Johnny’s apartment.
Officers knocked on Johnny’s door several times that morning with no response. Finally, they were able to make contact with the landlord and get a key. When they entered the apartment, they found Johnny slumped over on the floor. He was declared dead at the scene. Johnny’s family was devastated by the news.
Of course, they wanted to know what happened: Were there any signs of violence? Had his depression led to him taking his own life? Had Johnny suffered? The officers who found Johnny’s body told the family that it appeared he hadn’t suffered, that he had passed alone in the apartment after a medical emergency.
- The Cashmans asked if there would be an autopsy performed, but the police said no – the case was closed, no autopsy was needed.
- The family made arrangements for Johnny’s body to be cremated.
- Ten days later, Johnny’s ex-girlfriend went to the apartment to gather some of Johnny’s things for his family.
- But when she opened the door, she encountered a horrifying scene: there was blood everywhere.
Pictures from the scene are incredibly graphic, almost too terrible to describe. The ex-girlfriend later described it as “an abundant amount of blood”, and she wasn’t exaggerating. Blood trailed through the hallway, smeared on the floors. Bloody streaks and handprints lined the walls, and large blood stains could be seen on the doors and windows.
But the worst of it was in the bathroom, where blood covered every surface in massive amounts. I will link the images on the podcast website, but please be aware that they are difficult to look at. Shaken by what she was seeing, the ex-girlfriend thankfully had the wherewithal to document everything and not disturb the scene any more than she had already had.
Coincidentally, she ran into Johnny’s neighbor in the outer hallway and explained what she had seen. The neighbor told her that she had a security camera above her door that would have captured anyone coming in or out of Johnny’s apartment in the last few weeks.
- Maybe they could get some answers.
- The two women began sorting through the video clips saved by the door camera, scrolling back to the day Johnny last talked to his family.
- Then, they saw it.
- At 3:03pm on April 14th, Johnny was caught on camera coming up the stairs and entering his apartment.
- He looked perfectly fine.
There was no indication that he was ill or injured in any way. As Johnny entered his apartment, the camera kept recording. Less than a minute after Johnny closed the door behind him, voices were heard coming from inside the apartment. I’m going to play the audio for you, but be forewarned – it is difficult to listen to, and it contains profanity.
- Begin inserted audio clip) Yo dude, what the f***? (banging) What are you doing? (banging) Yo, what the f*** dude? What are you doing, man? (banging) Stop, stop! What are you doing? What are you doing, man? Stop! Stop.
- Banging) (inaudible voice) Stop. F***.
- Inaudible voice) (banging) (end inserted audio clip) At 3:11, just eight minutes after Johnny entered the apartment, the camera recorded a different man exiting the apartment.
On the video, he closes the door behind him and starts heading down the stairs. But before he reaches the bottom, he turns around and goes back up to the apartment door. He pulls his shirt sleeve over his hand and wipes down the door handle. Then, he goes back downstairs and disappears.
Seconds later, a voice, presumably Johnny, is heard through the apartment door shouting, “Help! Help! Help!” The video kept recording for five more minutes; all that could be heard was scraping sounds and a few thuds before the video ended at 3:17pm. No one else was seen coming in or out of the apartment until five days later when police arrived to do a welfare check.
Johnny’s ex-girlfriend immediately sent all the videos and pictures to Johnny’s sister Sara. Sara later described the moment she saw the messages – she went completely numb. Then, she jumped into action, calling the detective in charge of Johnny’s case.
“I called and left him a pleading voicemail, ‘Please call me. I don’t know what’s happening, but something is wrong — something is happening that we weren’t aware of.'” Johnny’s neighbor turned over the videos to police that same day, and the next morning, officers were back at the apartment supposedly collecting more evidence, although it’s not clear what was taken.
By this point, Johnny had been dead for over two weeks, and the apartment had been left in that horrible state for 10 days. Aside from the officers’ baffling decision to not process the scene immediately after finding Johnny’s body in the middle of a bloody mess, the family was also infuriated by the fact that police had told them he had died of natural causes and that they didn’t need to do an autopsy.
- Sara left multiple messages for the lead detective after seeing the photos of Johnny’s apartment, and she finally got a call back days later.
- According to Sara, the detective tried to backtrack, saying that he had told them it was a medical emergency, that Johnny had obviously vomited blood everywhere.
Maybe he just hadn’t explained it well enough, or the family had misunderstood. But by now it was too late. Johnny had been cremated – any evidence that could have been collected from his body was gone. On May 2nd, Lynchburg PD released a still image of the man who had entered Johnny’s apartment and announced that they were looking to identify him so they could question him about the events of April 14th.
A week later, they had a name – 34-year-old Steven Michael Church. They believed he was in Tennessee and asked local agencies to help find him. Meanwhile, the Cashman family was taking matters into their own hands. Sara reached out to Noreen Turyn, an investigative journalist at Lynchburg news station ABC13, and asked her to look into Johnny’s story.
Sara believed that the police had not taken Johnny’s case seriously because he had a history of trouble with the law and struggled with alcohol abuse. She told Noreen, “It’s police negligence. And every day I find out so more things that have been ignored.” Noreen immediately began digging into the case, requesting records from police and the medical examiner’s office.
- According to a search warrant she obtained from April 19th, police only took 6 swabs of evidence and a white iPhone with “red stains” from the apartment on the day Johnny was found.
- I’ll admit, I was stunned when I read that in the search warrant.
- After walking into a horrifically bloody scene, police decided they only needed to take 6 swabs? Especially when the warrant gave explicit permission for them to retrieve “cutting instruments, blunt objects, firearms cell phones, clothing, trace evidence.” I can certainly understand why the Cashman family believes Johnny’s death wasn’t taken seriously.
Another mystery is that the affidavit states the search warrant was requested “in relation to an offense substantially described as follows: Violation of Code of Virginia 12.2-32 (Murder).” This means that the detective requesting the warrant specifically stated that they needed access to Johnny’s apartment to investigate a potential murder scene.
- They had permission to search the apartment for a full nine hours on April 19th, and still, all they collected were 6 swabs of evidence and a white iPhone.
- I’m sure I’m not the only one scratching my head right now, trying to figure out how on earth police could walk into such a gruesome scene and not immediately lock the whole thing down.
But I think the Cashman family might be right – it was easier for police to believe that Johnny was the victim of a medical emergency rather than investigate a violent crime. According to the medical examiner’s report obtained by ABC13, the officers at the scene told the medical examiner that they had found Johnny deceased, surrounded by “blood with fecal matter mixed in”.
- The officers were the ones who told the medical examiner that Johnny had likely died from a gastro-intestinal bleed.
- The report states that officers indicated there was “no trauma, no drugs, nothing suspicious.” Based solely on the word of these officers, who I assume were not medical professionals, and a “viewing of the body” by a local doctor, the chief medical examiner’s office declined to investigate further.
They would not do an autopsy. On May 23rd, Lynchburg police announced that they had located Steven Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and had spoken to him about his encounter with Johnny on April 14th. According to Steven, he had come to Lynchburg for work in early April, but the job had fallen through and he found himself without a place to stay.
- At some point he had met Johnny, who offered to let Steven stay at his apartment for a few days while he looked for another job.
- Steven told detectives that in the short time they spent together, Johnny always had a drink in his hand and would drink to excess every single day, sometimes getting so drunk that he would vomit.
Steven said he was in the apartment on April 14th when Johnny came home around 3pm, drunk and belligerent. He said Johnny immediately started yelling at him for stealing his clothes and not paying rent. Steven said he was the one heard on video telling Johnny to stop.
Finally, he just decided to leave, not wanting to get in a fight with a drunk person. According to Steven, when he left, Johnny was hunched over the toilet as if he was going to be sick. Detectives said that Steven was shocked when they showed him pictures of the bloody apartment. He hadn’t thought Johnny was in that much distress when he left, and he was already exiting the building by the time Johnny was heard calling for help on the security video.
When detectives asked Steven about his decision to come back up the stairs and wipe down the door handle, Steven admitted that it was strange, but he already had several arrests on his record for aggravated burglary and didn’t want to be accused of squatting at Johnny’s apartment.
- Obviously his fingerprints would be all over the apartment if he had been staying there for a few days, but for some reason he felt that wiping down the door handle would keep him from getting arrested.
- Detectives took pictures of Steven’s shoes and determined that the tread pattern didn’t match any of the footprints at the scene.
Keep in mind that this is a full six weeks after Johnny’s death; it’s possible that Steven had changed shoes since then. But detectives believed that the footprints in the blood belonged to Johnny and no one else. In all fairness, it is possible that Johnny had some sort of medical emergency on April 14th.
There are gastro-intestinal conditions that can cause severe reactions such as vomiting blood and loss of bowel control. Johnny had a long history of alcohol abuse, which could have severely damaged his liver. The video shows Johnny climbing the stairs with a glass of dark liquid in his hand, and his family admitted that he could very well have been drunk that day.
It’s possible that less than a minute after Steven Church left the apartment, Johnny’s body began to break down, and he called out for help. But Sara told ABC13 that her brother went to the doctor regularly and had even had a full physical exam just four months before his death.
His medical records indicate that he had no known GI-related issues and was only being treated for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and high blood pressure. The Cashman family does not believe that Johnny had a medical emergency on April 14th. On October 7, 2022, the Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney announced that no charges would be filed in the death of Johnny Cashman.
In a written statement, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison said, “Given the pattern of blood loss by Cashman, that there were no other shoe patterns in the blood other than his own, that his medical history and current prescriptions and risk factors were consistent with his death resulting from a fatal medical event, no evidence of external trauma to his body, and that Cashman’s body was cremated preventing law enforcement from examining his body further, there is insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charges against Steven Church for the death of John Cashman.” Harrison ended the statement with a note to the family.
“It is regretful that Mr. Cashman died in such a manner and that his family had to witness the shocking scene. I hope the conclusion of this investigation can give some form of closure to the family as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved one.” The Cashman family was understandably upset by this decision.
Sara told ABC13, “No, this doesn’t give us closure. This is a punch in the gut. This is a ‘Hey we are not going to bother to investigate this further because we don’t want the police department to get in trouble. We don’t want the medical examiner’s office to get in trouble.’ None of this would have been given a second look had we not gone to,
They didn’t investigate until we reached out and said hey something happened here.” In my opinion, Sara is right. Whether Johnny died as a result of a medical emergency or foul play, his death was not investigated properly. Officers from the Lynchburg Police Department did not correctly communicate the circumstances of his death to his family, and it resulted in his body being cremated rather than preserved for examination.
Very little evidence was taken from the scene, and that horrific scene was left for a grieving family to discover on their own. Because of these missteps, whether intentional or not, the Cashman family will never truly know what happened to Johnny that fateful day.
How old is cashman
Trial, conviction and sentencing – The trial began at Manchester Crown Court on 7 March 2023, before Mrs Justice Amanda Yip, On 30 March 2023, Thomas Cashman was found guilty of the murder of Olivia along with the wounding of Olivia’s mother, the attempted murder of his intended target and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- The guns used were a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver,
- Paul Russell had pleaded guilty to assisting an offender in October 2022, but the media were unable to report on it until the conclusion of Cashman’s trial.
- Russell had assisted Cashman by driving him away from an address and disposing of a bag given to him by Cashman, which Russell believed to contain items of clothing.
On 3 April 2023, Thomas Cashman was sentenced to life imprisonment for Olivia’s murder, as well as for the attempted murder of his intended target; he was ordered to serve a minimum of 42 years before being considered for parole. He was sentenced to 10 years for the wounding of Olivia’s mother, and received two 18 year sentences for both counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, with all of the sentences to run concurrently.
Cashman was not in court to hear his sentence. On 26 April 2023, Paul Russell was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment. Cashman was 34 years old at the time of his sentencing. He will become eligible to be considered for parole on 22 March 2064, at which time he will be in his mid-70s. In late April 2023, it was reported that Cashman was to appeal to have his sentence reduced.
In July 2023, he was refused permission to appeal his sentence.
Will Thomas Cashman be released?
Thomas Cashman will be an old man when he is eligible for release from prison. The 34-year-old was today handed life imprisonment with a minimum term of 42 years for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel. That means he will be 76 before he is even eligible to apply for parole, with no guarantee he will ever be freed.
- Cashman was unanimously found guilty of murdering the nine-year-old schoolgirl by a jury on Thursday March 30.
- He refused to enter the dock to be sentenced this afternoon.
- READ MORE: Child killer, hitman, drug dealer – How the dark truth about Thomas Cashman was exposed Manchester Crown Square Crown Court previously heard during a three-and-a-half-week trial that Cashman “lay in wait” for his intended target Joseph Nee while armed with two loaded guns as he watched a Liverpool FC v Manchester United football match on the television at his friend Timmy Naylor’s house on Finch Lane.
When he left the address with another man, Paul Abraham, the gunman approached them from behind and opened fire with a self-loading Glock-style pistol. A chilling piece of CCTV footage showed Mr Abraham running for his life as two loud bangs rang out.
- Convicted burglar and drug dealer Nee was shot in the midriff at this point and stumbled to the floor as a result of his injuries.
- David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, described how Cashman had “murder on his mind” and stood over the helpless man and attempted to discharge the firearm again as he begged: “Please don’t.
Don’t lad”. But the gun malfunctioned, and Nee was able to escape. Cashman however continued his “ruthless pursuit” as he fled towards the Korbel family home. Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, alarmed by the sound of gunfire outside, had stepped out of her house to investigation but quickly rushed back indoors when she saw Nee running towards her and away from Cashman – who was dressed all in black and had his face covered.
- She then tussled with the gunman’s intended target in an attempt to keep her front door shut and to keep him out of the property, but was unable to fully close it as it had been left on the latch in order to allow the neighbours to let themselves in for a cup of tea.
- The assailant fired another shot with a second, backup weapon – a 0.3 calibre revolver – at this point.
This was the shot that claimed Olivia’s life, the bullet passing through the door and travelling through her mum’s hand before striking her in the chest. The schoolgirl had been upstairs in bed, but was heard to say “mummy, I’m scared” as she ran to the bottom of the stairs to her mum having been startled by the commotion.
- With Nee by now inside, Cashman forced his arm around the door and fired one final shot which became lodged in the doorframe.
- Olivia was scooped up by the first police officer to arrive at the scene and rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after being critically injured, but was pronounced dead shortly before 11.30pm.
There were emotional scenes in court as Cheryl, 46, recounted the tragedy in a video interview with police, which was played to the jury. In it, she said: “I heard the baby screaming, that’s when I turned round and spotted her sat at the bottom of the stairs.
- I couldn’t keep her awake.
- I knew she’d gone.
- I knew she’d gone.” Nee was bundled into a car by his associates and taken to Whiston Hospital, later being transferred to Aintree Hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to the chest and lower abdomen.
- Cashman meanwhile escaped the scene by leaping through back gardens before making his way to the home of a woman with whom he had previously had an affair.
She was woken by him standing at her bedside before she phoned her boyfriend Paul Russell, who then arrived at the house. The witness – who cannot be named for legal reasons – reported hearing Cashman make an apparent confession to her partner at the doorstep, telling him: “I’ve done Joey.” He was then given a change of clothing before being driven back to his Citroen Berlingo van, which he had earlier parked on Aspes Road, by Russell.
- A pair of Under Armour tracksuit bottoms which he was handed at this time were later found at his sister’s home on Mab Lane with his DNA and traces of gunpowder residue on them.
- Giving evidence from the witness box, the woman told the trial: “I’m sorry, I can’t forgive anyone who has hurt any child.
- If he was any sort of man he’d just f****** own it.
“I can’t believe he’s making the family go through what they’re going through. It’s a child, it’s a child. “She can never go home ever again. It breaks my heart.” The attacker was also identified to have worn distinctive Monterrain trackies which matched a pair owned by Cashman.
He had been observed on CCTV making a number of trips past Finch Lane on the day in question, including an apparent attempt to carry out the shooting at around 4pm that afternoon having spotted Nee’s van outside – but this was thwarted after the then 35-year-old left to visit Screwfix. Cashman however claimed in his evidence that he had no involvement in the shooting and was counting £10,000 in cash and “smoking a spliff” at his friend Craig Byrne’s house on Snowberry Road at the time.
He had admitted being a “high level” drug dealer who made up to £5,000 per week selling cannabis, and his various trips around the area throughout the day were apparently concerned with his involvement in the supply of the class B substance. Meanwhile, Cashman accused the woman with whom he had had the fling of attempting to frame him for the murder as she was a “woman scorned”.
- He suggested that her boyfriend Paul Russell owed him a £25,000 debt and questioned whether she had been motivated by the possibility of reward money.
- He told jurors: “It shows you the lengths a woman who’s got something in for someone would go to.
- This is how low they go to.” The defendant also stated he had “no problems” with the Nee family and counted them as friends.
The father-of-two, who was defended by Professor John Cooper KC, said on the witness box: “I’m not a killer, I’m a dad.” Cashman was also found guilty of attempting to murder Joseph Nee, wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm against Cheryl Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
What is the bounty on Thomas Cashman?
The killer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel has had a £250,000 bounty placed on his head by gangland criminals to silence him in prison, it has been reported. Thomas Cashman, who will be sentenced for killing the nine-year-old girl in Liverpool on Monday, has been made the target of a hit over fears he could cooperate with police following his murder conviction, according to The Sun,
The newspaper reported Cashman, 34, could be willing to hand over information on unsolved murders in exchange for better conditions during his sentence. The bounty has been reportedly sent to criminals and prisoners via Telegram. “He knows everything about everyone. The figure is £250,000 to kill him,” a source told The Sun,
“His knowledge and testimony could cause a world of pain for some very big criminals who do not want their activities being looked at.” Cashman, who has reportedly been linked to two further unsolved murders in Merseyside, will be sentenced for Olivia’s murder on Monday at Manchester Crown Court.
- It has since emerged the 34-year-old is suspected of being connected to the killing of Nicky Ayers, shot in 2010, and Karl Bradley, who was found dead in a back garden in 2013, just a few minutes’ walk from Olivia’s home.
- Mr Ayers, 46, was shot dead on South Cantril Avenue, West Derby, on April 29 2010.
Three years later on the morning of March 22 2013, Mr Bradley’s body was found in the back garden of a house on Penshaw Close, West Derby. Police believe Mr Bradley, 31, was shot dead on the night of March 21. Both murders have been subject to regular appeals for information from Merseyside Police although the investigations remain unsolved.
- A local source claimed that Cashman had previously travelled abroad to Spain after committing serious crimes.
- When asked whether Cashman would be investigated as being involved in either of the deaths, Merseyside Police said it “would not be appropriate” to comment on unsolved murders.
- A spokesman added: “However, Merseyside Police’s Serious Case Review Unit regularly review unsolved homicides to identify new information or opportunities that may assist the investigation in identifying those responsible.” Cashman, 34, will be sentenced at 2pm on Monday.
He was found guilty following an 18 day trial of the murder of Olivia, the attempted murder of his intended target Joseph Nee, and the wounding with intent of Cheryl Korbel. He was also found guilty of two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Does Connor go to jail for 5 years?
Relationship – Walsh and computer technician Oliver Hampton ( Conrad Ricamora ) have had an on-and-off relationship almost from the inception of the series. In the pilot episode, the two meet at a bar, wherein Walsh seduces Hampton into giving him illegal documents to bolster a case of Keating’s.
At first, Hampton denies him access to the files; however, Walsh flirts with another guy, inducing Hampton into giving him the information he wants. As a way of thanking him, Walsh has sex with Hampton, much to the technician’s surprise and delight. Throughout the first few episodes of the series, the two continue to have a casual sexual relationship while Hampton assists Walsh in obtaining information.
By the fourth episode, ” Let’s Get to Scooping “, Walsh has developed feelings for Hampton; while he attempts to reveal this to Hampton, the revelation is cut short when Hampton snoops through Walsh’s phone, and learns of Walsh’s tryst with a person of interest in a case.
- Coming to the conclusion that Walsh uses sex as means of furthering his own career, Hampton kicks him out.
- Months later, Walsh shows up unannounced to Hampton’s place, after burning Sam Keating’s body, freaking out and telling him that he “screwed up”.
- Hampton is initially bewildered and unsure of what to do, but eventually comforts Walsh and invites him in.
The following morning, Walsh lies to Hampton by saying that his behavior was a result of intoxication and that he has a drug problem. Walsh is eager to start fresh with Hampton in ” Hello Raskolnikov “; however, this is not reciprocated by Hampton, who still resents Walsh’s conduct.
By ” Best Christmas Ever “, Walsh surprises Hampton with a Christmas gift – a beanie – and asks that they resume their relationship. Hampton initially resists, but he then reveals that he is addicted to Walsh. In the penultimate episode of the first season, ” The Night Lila Died “, the two agree to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Although Walsh tests negative to any disease, it is revealed in the season finale, ” It’s All My Fault “, that Hampton tested positive to HIV, In the second season premiere, ” It’s Time to Move On “, to prove that his commitment to Hampton and the relationship they share, Walsh moves into Hampton’s apartment.
- Even though Connor disapproves, in ” Two Birds, One Millstone “, Oliver helps Annalise and Keating 5 in the Caleb-Catherine Hapstall case by hacking and finding a prospect suspect lead, Phillip Jessup.
- Unknown to them, Phillip has hacked Oliver too and knows what they are up to.
- When Oliver disappears for a short while, Connor panics thinking he is kidnapped.
Oliver returns and says Phillip just wanted to talk, while showing a straw he snuck from Phillips for a DNA test. Connor, desperate to keep himself and Oliver away from Annalise and all the murder cases, applies to Stanford Law School and asks Oliver to move away with him, in ” It’s a Trap “.
- In the final episode of second season, ” Anna Mae “, Oliver deletes Connor’s Stanford acceptance email, calls the Dean of Students to decline his spot and hacks their system to re-route all calls to him.
- In the third season premiere, ” We’re Good People Now “, Connor asks Annalise to refuse Oliver a job that he is going to ask, saying it would ruin him.
Annalise agrees and gives her word that she won’t hire him. But Oliver reveals to her about Connor’s Stanford email and says he can hack her too to check for security vulnerabilities. Annalise, afraid that Oliver would find out about Sam, hires him as a technical expert.
With no other option, Connor agrees with Annalise. Later, when he apologizes to Oliver for not taking his feelings into account before applying to Stanford, Oliver feels this is not how healthy relationships work and that he should have been angry instead of apologizing. This leads to Oliver breaking up with Connor.
After Connor wins his first pro bono case, in ” There Are Worse Things Than Murder “, Connor kisses Oliver and asks to be back together but Oliver doesn’t agree. Heartbroken, Connor packs up and leaves Oliver’s apartment to stay at Michaela’s for a while.
Connor goes back to his usual sex escapades with guys from “Humpr” and doesn’t make an effort to hide it. Oliver, though somewhat hurt, doesn’t say anything to him. In ” Call It Mother’s Intuition “, Oliver goes on a date with a guy from the internet, named “Thomas” for which Connor confronts him asking why he said he needed to spend some time alone if he is going on dates with other guys.
Even though Thomas expresses his interest in Oliver, he turns him down after learning Oliver is HIV positive. Oliver gets drunk and goes back to Connor where they confess that they miss each other, leading them to have sex and being back together. In ” No More Blood “, Oliver keeps asking Connor about the things that he is hiding which leads to another argument where Oliver calls him “emotionally damaged”.
Connor, once again hurt and heartbroken, goes back to Michaela’s apartment and cries saying “I hate him! I hate him so much!”, breaking a glass table in anger. In ” Who’s Dead? “, Oliver tries to apologize to Connor on multiple occasions but Connor blows him off each time. At a party sponsored by Annalise after the entire class cleared their midterms, Connor gets drunk and Oliver worries about him, reminding him about his drug problem.
Connor, in his drunken state, confesses that he lied about being an addict and that he wasn’t high that night (when Sam was murdered) but was traumatized. Later, Oliver does his own research and correctly guesses that the Keating 5 had something to do with Sam’s murder.
After Annalise’s house burns down and Connor is unreachable, Oliver fears the worst but is relieved when Connor shows up at the hospital. In the later episodes, it’s shown that Connor was at the house before it burned down and that he had seen, tried to revive Wes but failed. When everyone suspects Connor of lying, Oliver defends him and stands by him.
Oliver, now aware of all the murders, tries to be understanding of how Connor handled everything alone while he can’t bring himself to go by his usual way. Connor admits this is why he didn’t tell him anything and that he could still go to the police, make everything stop.
- In the final episode, ” Wes “, after Connor is kidnapped and later freed from Denver by Annalise, Oliver proposes to Connor asking to marry him and “make a million babies”.
- In the beginning of the season four, Oliver hasn’t gotten an answer to the proposal.
- Then Connor tells him that he wants to get married but not because Oliver is afraid that Connor is going to jail or someone is going to kill them.
In ” Nobody Roots for Goliath ” Connor told Oliver that his dad told that he didn’t think that Oliver would be the right guy for Connor. Then, Connor proposes to him and says that he is happy because of Oliver. Then, Oliver is told he’s been lying to Connor because he knows who killed Wes.
- Then, Connor goes straight to Laurel’s and before Laurel opens the door, he says Oliver that he gave the ring back because he thought they were in a good place and because Oliver lied to him.
- In ” Ask Him About Stella “, Connor says that he wants to go to law school again and says that it would be difficult with the school and planning the wedding.
Then Asher asks ” Did you just. ?”. Which Connor replies ” What do you say? You still want to marry me, Oli?” and Oliver says “You’re the one that called if off” and Connor’s answer to that “Well, it’s called back on.” In season 5, Oliver and Connor move to another house because they wanted to save money for the wedding.
Then Connor’s and Oliver’s mothers come to visit them before the wedding. Later, Oliver told his mom about the HIV and then his mom told that “I just hate that you felt you had to go through this all alone” then Oliver says that “I wasn’t alone, I had Connor”. A few night’s before the wedding in episode ” I Got Played “, Connor and Oliver had a meeting with a minister, who marries them.
The minister asks that why they want to marry and Oliver answer that it’s “really simple. I wanna know and spent time with Connor for the rest of my life.” and Connor answers that “because he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” In a later part of the episode, Connor says to Oliver that “I will marry you in church for a million times as long as I can be with you.” In ” I Want to Love You Until the Day I Die ” Oliver and Connor get married.
- Oliver says in his vow to Connor that “My dream was you”.
- And Connor says to Oliver “Because of you, I want things I told myself I never did.
- I want to love you until the day I die.
- You’re everything to me”.
- Then later on the episode, Oliver sings to Connor the song ” All of Me ” by John Legend,
- In season 6, Connor and Oliver had a threesome with a man called Ravi.
When Oliver told Connor that he knows maybe were Laurel is, (because Frank told him) Connor says “I’m your husband. You can say anything to me and I can take it because we’re married and I don’t wanna divorce yet even though I’m really angry right now.” Then, Oliver says that “I knew you would tell Annalise” Then Connor says “No, I wouldn’t,” and Oliver answers to that ” I don’t know if I believe that” and Connor says then “You don’t trust me that’s what you are saying.
After everything we been through together. I’m your husband who loves you more than enything in the world, you don’t trust me.” When Connor was arrested for killing Asher, he could take a deal and he wouldn’t go to jail. Oliver tries to get Connor to take the deal. Connor eventually takes a deal for five years in prison and immunity for Oliver, only to later learn that Michaela and Laurel got deals for probation.
Connor subsequently expresses remorse for his life of lying and deceit and after Laurel reveals their perjury on the stand, Connor decides to go to prison and stop lying. Connor files for divorce from Oliver, feeling that he is only causing Oliver harm and turning him into a bad person.
As he is arrested following Annalise’s exoneration, Connor hands his wedding ring over to Oliver, who refuses to accept the divorce. Connor’s last words to his husband are to thank Oliver for showing him how to truly love someone. In the flash-forwards in the series finale, its shown that Connor and Oliver’s relationship ultimately did survive and they didn’t get divorced.
Connor and Oliver are seen attending Annalise’s funeral together years later, waving at Laurel, who identifies them as old friends to her now-adult son Christopher Castillo.
How did they catch Connor Chapman?
Footage shows the capture of Connor Chapman by plain-clothed police at a Tesco supermarket in Wales, where he had fled following the murder of Elle Edwards, when he fired twelve bullets from a Skorpion sub-machine gun outside a pub in Merseyside on Christmas Eve.
What evidence did they find on Connor Chapman?
Gang killer Connor Chapman will learn his fate this afternoon following his conviction for the murder of Elle Edwards. The beautician was shot dead outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral, shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve last year, as she smoked a cigarette.
- Elle, 26, was struck twice in the head while five men were also wounded when Chapman sprayed the pub entrance with 12 bullets from a military style Skorpion sub-machine gun.
- Nigel Power, KC, prosecuting, described Ms Edwards as the “wholly innocent” victim of a feud between criminal groups based in the Woodchurch estate and the Beechwood/Ford estate in Wirral.
The jury heard the killer drove to Wallasey Village in a stolen black Mercedes A-Class car and loitered outside the pub for around three hours before opening fire. Yesterday (Thursday), the seven women and five men of the jury convicted Chapman of murder and seven other counts by unanimous decision, following three hours and 48 minutes of deliberations.
- The jury had heard 23-year-old Chapman, from Houghton Road in Woodchurch, was intending to kill two of the men injured in the shooting – Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy – both from the Beechwood area.
- Chapman then escaped the scene in a stolen black Mercedes A-Class car, which he drove to the home of his associate, 20-year-old Thomas Waring, in Barnston.
Waring then called a taxi for Chapman, which they say took him back to his home in Woodchurch. The jury heard a mixed DNA profile on a bullet casing found at the scene matched Chapman, while his DNA was also found on a glove recovered from Waring’s house, which the jury heard matched red gloves the gunman was recorded wearing on CCTV from the Lighthouse pub.
- Chapman was found guilty of Elle’s murder, the attempted murders of Salkeld and Duffy,.
- Wounding with intent to cause GBH against other men wounded in the attack; Harry Loughran and Liam Carr, and assaulting Nicholas Speed causing ABH.
- He was also convicted of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life in relation to the Skorpion.
He had pleaded guilty to one count of handling stolen goods in relation to the Mercedes. Waring, of Private Drive in Barnston, was convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender in relation to the murder. The ECHO will be reporting live from the courtroom throughout the sentence hearing.15:23 Jonathan Humphries
What happened to Ellie Edwards
Elle, 26, was fatally wounded after being shot while standing outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey at just before midnight on Christmas Eve last year. After firing the gun Chapman left the scene in a stolen Mercedes which was later found burnt out. He was arrested on January 10 th this year in a supermarket in Wales.
What sentence did Olivia killer get
The man who shot 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool will not be able to appeal his sentence. Thomas Cashman is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 42 years after being convicted of her murder. Olivia was caught in the cross-fire when Cashman burst into her home in Dovecot in pursuit of fellow drug dealer 36-year-old Joseph Nee last August.
Cashman’s legal team were due to argue that his sentence was too harsh, and that he should serve less time before parole. Previously a separate application to the court under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme had also been thrown out. At his murder trial the jury was told that Cashman “lay in wait” with two guns to attack Nee on the evening of 22 August.
Thomas Cashman shot Olivia Pratt-Korbel after lying in wait for fellow drug dealer Joseph Nee Credit: PA Attempting to escape Nee ran towards door of Olivia’s home after her mother, Cheryl Korbel, went out to see what the noise was. Continuing to shoot Cashman fired a bullet through the door.
What happened to Johnny Cashman Jr
Episode Transcript – Welcome back to Bite-Sized Crime. This week I’m bringing you a baffling case – a tragic death that has left a family desperate for answers. This episode discusses sensitive topics and includes graphic descriptions, so listener discretion is advised.
- In the spring of 2022, 38-year-old Johnny Cashman Jr.
- Was living and working in Lynchburg, Virginia.
- He rented a second-floor apartment in the Diamond Hill district near the James River, not far from downtown Lynchburg.
- Johnny’s family lived 800 miles away in Maine, but Kim Cashman called her son every day to make sure he was taking care of himself and not getting into trouble.
And she had reason to worry: Johnny had struggled with alcohol addiction for years, and he had been arrested several times in the past when his drinking had led to choices such as driving under the influence and assault. Johnny also battled with depression, and Kim worried about him being on his own.
So when Johnny suddenly stopped communicating, Kim knew immediately that something was wrong. The last time Johnny spoke with his family was on April 14, 2022. After that, he no longer responded to texts or calls. This was completely out of character for him – even when he was in dire straits, he always talked to his family.
For days, the Cashmans tried to reach out to Johnny, but eventually they knew they needed real help. On April 19th – five days after their last contact – Kim called the Lynchburg Police Department and asked them to perform a welfare check at Johnny’s apartment.
- Officers knocked on Johnny’s door several times that morning with no response.
- Finally, they were able to make contact with the landlord and get a key.
- When they entered the apartment, they found Johnny slumped over on the floor.
- He was declared dead at the scene.
- Johnny’s family was devastated by the news.
Of course, they wanted to know what happened: Were there any signs of violence? Had his depression led to him taking his own life? Had Johnny suffered? The officers who found Johnny’s body told the family that it appeared he hadn’t suffered, that he had passed alone in the apartment after a medical emergency.
- The Cashmans asked if there would be an autopsy performed, but the police said no – the case was closed, no autopsy was needed.
- The family made arrangements for Johnny’s body to be cremated.
- Ten days later, Johnny’s ex-girlfriend went to the apartment to gather some of Johnny’s things for his family.
- But when she opened the door, she encountered a horrifying scene: there was blood everywhere.
Pictures from the scene are incredibly graphic, almost too terrible to describe. The ex-girlfriend later described it as “an abundant amount of blood”, and she wasn’t exaggerating. Blood trailed through the hallway, smeared on the floors. Bloody streaks and handprints lined the walls, and large blood stains could be seen on the doors and windows.
- But the worst of it was in the bathroom, where blood covered every surface in massive amounts.
- I will link the images on the podcast website, but please be aware that they are difficult to look at.
- Shaken by what she was seeing, the ex-girlfriend thankfully had the wherewithal to document everything and not disturb the scene any more than she had already had.
Coincidentally, she ran into Johnny’s neighbor in the outer hallway and explained what she had seen. The neighbor told her that she had a security camera above her door that would have captured anyone coming in or out of Johnny’s apartment in the last few weeks.
- Maybe they could get some answers.
- The two women began sorting through the video clips saved by the door camera, scrolling back to the day Johnny last talked to his family.
- Then, they saw it.
- At 3:03pm on April 14th, Johnny was caught on camera coming up the stairs and entering his apartment.
- He looked perfectly fine.
There was no indication that he was ill or injured in any way. As Johnny entered his apartment, the camera kept recording. Less than a minute after Johnny closed the door behind him, voices were heard coming from inside the apartment. I’m going to play the audio for you, but be forewarned – it is difficult to listen to, and it contains profanity.
(begin inserted audio clip) Yo dude, what the f***? (banging) What are you doing? (banging) Yo, what the f*** dude? What are you doing, man? (banging) Stop, stop! What are you doing? What are you doing, man? Stop! Stop. (banging) (inaudible voice) Stop. F***. (inaudible voice) (banging) (end inserted audio clip) At 3:11, just eight minutes after Johnny entered the apartment, the camera recorded a different man exiting the apartment.
On the video, he closes the door behind him and starts heading down the stairs. But before he reaches the bottom, he turns around and goes back up to the apartment door. He pulls his shirt sleeve over his hand and wipes down the door handle. Then, he goes back downstairs and disappears.
- Seconds later, a voice, presumably Johnny, is heard through the apartment door shouting, “Help! Help! Help!” The video kept recording for five more minutes; all that could be heard was scraping sounds and a few thuds before the video ended at 3:17pm.
- No one else was seen coming in or out of the apartment until five days later when police arrived to do a welfare check.
Johnny’s ex-girlfriend immediately sent all the videos and pictures to Johnny’s sister Sara. Sara later described the moment she saw the messages – she went completely numb. Then, she jumped into action, calling the detective in charge of Johnny’s case.
I called and left him a pleading voicemail, ‘Please call me. I don’t know what’s happening, but something is wrong — something is happening that we weren’t aware of.'” Johnny’s neighbor turned over the videos to police that same day, and the next morning, officers were back at the apartment supposedly collecting more evidence, although it’s not clear what was taken.
By this point, Johnny had been dead for over two weeks, and the apartment had been left in that horrible state for 10 days. Aside from the officers’ baffling decision to not process the scene immediately after finding Johnny’s body in the middle of a bloody mess, the family was also infuriated by the fact that police had told them he had died of natural causes and that they didn’t need to do an autopsy.
- Sara left multiple messages for the lead detective after seeing the photos of Johnny’s apartment, and she finally got a call back days later.
- According to Sara, the detective tried to backtrack, saying that he had told them it was a medical emergency, that Johnny had obviously vomited blood everywhere.
Maybe he just hadn’t explained it well enough, or the family had misunderstood. But by now it was too late. Johnny had been cremated – any evidence that could have been collected from his body was gone. On May 2nd, Lynchburg PD released a still image of the man who had entered Johnny’s apartment and announced that they were looking to identify him so they could question him about the events of April 14th.
- A week later, they had a name – 34-year-old Steven Michael Church.
- They believed he was in Tennessee and asked local agencies to help find him.
- Meanwhile, the Cashman family was taking matters into their own hands.
- Sara reached out to Noreen Turyn, an investigative journalist at Lynchburg news station ABC13, and asked her to look into Johnny’s story.
Sara believed that the police had not taken Johnny’s case seriously because he had a history of trouble with the law and struggled with alcohol abuse. She told Noreen, “It’s police negligence. And every day I find out so more things that have been ignored.” Noreen immediately began digging into the case, requesting records from police and the medical examiner’s office.
- According to a search warrant she obtained from April 19th, police only took 6 swabs of evidence and a white iPhone with “red stains” from the apartment on the day Johnny was found.
- I’ll admit, I was stunned when I read that in the search warrant.
- After walking into a horrifically bloody scene, police decided they only needed to take 6 swabs? Especially when the warrant gave explicit permission for them to retrieve “cutting instruments, blunt objects, firearms cell phones, clothing, trace evidence.” I can certainly understand why the Cashman family believes Johnny’s death wasn’t taken seriously.
Another mystery is that the affidavit states the search warrant was requested “in relation to an offense substantially described as follows: Violation of Code of Virginia 12.2-32 (Murder).” This means that the detective requesting the warrant specifically stated that they needed access to Johnny’s apartment to investigate a potential murder scene.
- They had permission to search the apartment for a full nine hours on April 19th, and still, all they collected were 6 swabs of evidence and a white iPhone.
- I’m sure I’m not the only one scratching my head right now, trying to figure out how on earth police could walk into such a gruesome scene and not immediately lock the whole thing down.
But I think the Cashman family might be right – it was easier for police to believe that Johnny was the victim of a medical emergency rather than investigate a violent crime. According to the medical examiner’s report obtained by ABC13, the officers at the scene told the medical examiner that they had found Johnny deceased, surrounded by “blood with fecal matter mixed in”.
The officers were the ones who told the medical examiner that Johnny had likely died from a gastro-intestinal bleed. The report states that officers indicated there was “no trauma, no drugs, nothing suspicious.” Based solely on the word of these officers, who I assume were not medical professionals, and a “viewing of the body” by a local doctor, the chief medical examiner’s office declined to investigate further.
They would not do an autopsy. On May 23rd, Lynchburg police announced that they had located Steven Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and had spoken to him about his encounter with Johnny on April 14th. According to Steven, he had come to Lynchburg for work in early April, but the job had fallen through and he found himself without a place to stay.
- At some point he had met Johnny, who offered to let Steven stay at his apartment for a few days while he looked for another job.
- Steven told detectives that in the short time they spent together, Johnny always had a drink in his hand and would drink to excess every single day, sometimes getting so drunk that he would vomit.
Steven said he was in the apartment on April 14th when Johnny came home around 3pm, drunk and belligerent. He said Johnny immediately started yelling at him for stealing his clothes and not paying rent. Steven said he was the one heard on video telling Johnny to stop.
Finally, he just decided to leave, not wanting to get in a fight with a drunk person. According to Steven, when he left, Johnny was hunched over the toilet as if he was going to be sick. Detectives said that Steven was shocked when they showed him pictures of the bloody apartment. He hadn’t thought Johnny was in that much distress when he left, and he was already exiting the building by the time Johnny was heard calling for help on the security video.
When detectives asked Steven about his decision to come back up the stairs and wipe down the door handle, Steven admitted that it was strange, but he already had several arrests on his record for aggravated burglary and didn’t want to be accused of squatting at Johnny’s apartment.
- Obviously his fingerprints would be all over the apartment if he had been staying there for a few days, but for some reason he felt that wiping down the door handle would keep him from getting arrested.
- Detectives took pictures of Steven’s shoes and determined that the tread pattern didn’t match any of the footprints at the scene.
Keep in mind that this is a full six weeks after Johnny’s death; it’s possible that Steven had changed shoes since then. But detectives believed that the footprints in the blood belonged to Johnny and no one else. In all fairness, it is possible that Johnny had some sort of medical emergency on April 14th.
- There are gastro-intestinal conditions that can cause severe reactions such as vomiting blood and loss of bowel control.
- Johnny had a long history of alcohol abuse, which could have severely damaged his liver.
- The video shows Johnny climbing the stairs with a glass of dark liquid in his hand, and his family admitted that he could very well have been drunk that day.
It’s possible that less than a minute after Steven Church left the apartment, Johnny’s body began to break down, and he called out for help. But Sara told ABC13 that her brother went to the doctor regularly and had even had a full physical exam just four months before his death.
- His medical records indicate that he had no known GI-related issues and was only being treated for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and high blood pressure.
- The Cashman family does not believe that Johnny had a medical emergency on April 14th.
- On October 7, 2022, the Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney announced that no charges would be filed in the death of Johnny Cashman.
In a written statement, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison said, “Given the pattern of blood loss by Cashman, that there were no other shoe patterns in the blood other than his own, that his medical history and current prescriptions and risk factors were consistent with his death resulting from a fatal medical event, no evidence of external trauma to his body, and that Cashman’s body was cremated preventing law enforcement from examining his body further, there is insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charges against Steven Church for the death of John Cashman.” Harrison ended the statement with a note to the family.
It is regretful that Mr. Cashman died in such a manner and that his family had to witness the shocking scene. I hope the conclusion of this investigation can give some form of closure to the family as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved one.” The Cashman family was understandably upset by this decision.
Sara told ABC13, “No, this doesn’t give us closure. This is a punch in the gut. This is a ‘Hey we are not going to bother to investigate this further because we don’t want the police department to get in trouble. We don’t want the medical examiner’s office to get in trouble.’ None of this would have been given a second look had we not gone to,
- They didn’t investigate until we reached out and said hey something happened here.” In my opinion, Sara is right.
- Whether Johnny died as a result of a medical emergency or foul play, his death was not investigated properly.
- Officers from the Lynchburg Police Department did not correctly communicate the circumstances of his death to his family, and it resulted in his body being cremated rather than preserved for examination.
Very little evidence was taken from the scene, and that horrific scene was left for a grieving family to discover on their own. Because of these missteps, whether intentional or not, the Cashman family will never truly know what happened to Johnny that fateful day.