Overview
- The case is being heard at Minshull Street Crown Court, where Josh Baxter, 28, pleads not guilty to manslaughter, intentional strangulation or suffocation, and unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm.
- Jurors were told Baxter placed a Deliveroo order at 9:11 pm, collected it at 9:40 pm, and then called 999 at 9:49 pm.
- Prosecutors presented Grindr messages discussing choking, restraint and extreme drinking, arguing that consent does not excuse a foreseeable risk to breathing, along with later Google searches about strangling during sex and checking if someone is breathing.
- Forensic testimony described a fractured hyoid and thyroid cartilage, a blood alcohol level of 417 mg per 100 ml, and brain injury consistent with oxygen deprivation.
- In a police statement read to the jury, Baxter said he tied Barron with red rope, had sex, fell asleep on top of him for about 30 minutes, then found him unresponsive and called for help.