The trial of Jonathan James Creswell, 36, who was accused of the rape and murder of 21-year-old showjumper Katie Simpson, concluded unexpectedly on Wednesday. Creswell was found deceased at his home, bringing the proceedings to an immediate halt.
Creswell, from Greysteel, Co. Derry, faced charges related to the death of Ms. Simpson, an equestrian who was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital on August 3rd, 2020, following an incident in Lettershandoney. She never regained consciousness and passed away six days later.
During the first day of evidence, the prosecution barrister alleged that Creswell had “strangled and killed” Ms. Simpson in a fit of “pure rage and jealousy” upon discovering her involvement in another relationship. The defense had anticipated a lengthy trial, potentially spanning four to six weeks, with over 60 prosecution witnesses and involvement from three equestrian centers.
The court heard that Ms. Simpson, originally from Tynan, Co. Armagh, was living in Donegal near the Derry border. Creswell was accused of murder on August 9th, 2020, and rape between August 2nd and August 4th, 2020.
Prosecution counsel Sam Magee KC presented the case, asserting that Creswell murdered Ms. Simpson out of jealousy and subsequently attempted to stage the scene to appear as a suicide. Magee KC stated that Creswell was the last person to see Ms. Simpson alive and maintained that he staged her death to look like a hanging. The prosecutor further alleged that Creswell fabricated his role as the discoverer of her body.
The court was informed that Ms. Simpson was in the early stages of a new relationship and feared Creswell’s reaction upon learning about her new partner. Text messages presented to the jury indicated Ms. Simpson’s anxiety that Creswell would “go crazy” if he discovered her new relationship. Evidence of phone logs revealed messages exchanged between Creswell, Ms. Simpson, and her new boyfriend, with Ms. Simpson having deleted messages to conceal them from Creswell.
Concerns were raised by both Ms. Simpson and her boyfriend that another individual in their equestrian circle might have seen them together and reported it to Creswell. The prosecution argued that Ms. Simpson had “every reason to worry.” Text messages sent by her new partner that evening went unanswered.
Phone evidence placed Creswell with Ms. Simpson after a horse show. Magee KC highlighted a “pivotal message” from Ms. Simpson’s new partner stating he had traveled a significant distance “just to sleep with you,” which the prosecution claimed confirmed Creswell’s “worst fears.” At this point, Creswell allegedly had control of Ms. Simpson’s phone, and following his viewing of the message, “Katie Simpson’s fate was sealed,” with Creswell allegedly killing her in “pure rage and jealousy.”
The trial was scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning. However, the prosecution informed the court that Jonathan Creswell had been found deceased at his home that morning. A Detective Chief Inspector confirmed to the court that police had received information about a man found deceased at 9 am, with a family member identifying the deceased as Mr. Jonathan Creswell. The death was not considered suspicious, and the coroner had been notified.
Judge Neil Rafferty KC officially concluded the trial and discharged the jury. Sentencing for three co-accused, who had previously pleaded guilty, was expedited. These included Rose De Montgomery-Wright, due for sentencing for withholding information between August 9th and August 13th, 2020, and Jill Robinson, who admitted to perverting the course of justice on August 3rd, 2020. A third woman, subject to an interim anonymity order, faces charges of withholding information and perverting the course of justice. Her case was adjourned until May 10th.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued a statement confirming that officers attended the “sudden death of a man at an address in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry this morning, April 24th.” The PSNI reiterated that “the death is not being treated as suspicious.”
