Peter Finnigan KC of QEB Hollis Whiteman, leading Kathryn Arnot Drummond (5KBW), was instructed by the Complex Casework Unit at CPS West Midlands in the prosecution of this case.
On the evening of 14 March 2024, Michael Obasi – a son, father and brother – was reported missing by his family. His body was discovered two days later in a park by a dog walker. A Police investigation determined that he had been robbed, assaulted and left at the scene.
The prosecution case was based on CCTV evidence tracking the movements of the six defendants before and after the incident. Footage showed them entering the park together and later leaving in two groups – with one in the possession of Mr. Obasi’s bank cards, the other carrying some of his belongings. DNA evidence also linked two younger defendants, aged 14 and 16 at the time, to the attack.
Following a trial before Mr Justice Wall and a jury, all six defendants were convicted of murder. Three of them were also found guilty and convicted of attempted robbery on 15 January 2024 of another man.
The case was covered in the press and by West Midlands Police:
Peter Finnigan KC