Simon Vickers gets life for fatally stabbing his daughter Scarlett, 14, during horseplay at their home. Verdict divides family.
Sarah Hall, Scarlett’s mom and Vickers’ partner of 27 years, was present at the time. She supported Vickers and maintained that he loved Scarlett and wouldn’t hurt her. The jury, however, convicted him of murder last month after deliberating for 13.5 hours.
He received a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years. Sarah and his parents continue to believe in his innocence, arguing that Scarlett’s death was an accident. Flowers were placed outside her home in her memory.
Scarlett died from a stab wound to her chest. A ninth-grade student, her classmates held a memorial at the park to honor her. They released balloons to remember her.
Her friend Charley described her as always nice. She said that Scarlett didn’t deserve to die like that. The school described her as respectful, polite, and possessing a great sense of humor. She also had many friends. The school is currently helping students cope with the loss.
Before sentencing, the defense lawyer spoke, stating that everyone connected to Scarlett is suffering. Scarlett’s mother continues to believe in the father, and his parents agree that he didn’t intend to cause harm. No one thought he could be a murderer.
On the day of the incident, Vickers had been drinking and smoking cannabis. He watched the Euros football game. Sarah was making spaghetti bolognese for dinner, and Scarlett threw grapes at them playfully.
Sarah snipped at Vickers with tongs, and Scarlett called him “wimpy”. Then, Sarah turned to serve the dinner and heard Scarlett say “ow.” Scarlett was bleeding severely.
Sarah called 999 and reported that they were “messing about.” She told the operator that he threw something and didn’t realize what happened. Paramedics arrived, but Scarlett died there. Vickers claimed that she lunged at him during play fighting, insisting it was an accident.
The prosecutor argued that it wasn’t an accident. He stated that the knife’s path indicated force and that it was held in a hand. He agreed Vickers loved Scarlett and was devastated. Still, he contended that the injury couldn’t be accidental and wasn’t the result of swiping or throwing. Furthermore, a pathologist called an accident “practically impossible”.
After the guilty verdict, Vickers’ past was revealed. He was guilty of wounding with intent in 1993. He had slashed a man’s face with a knife and was detained for two years.