Overview
- Natalie O'Donovan told jurors she drove Stephen Bates away from the party as he issued repeated threats to kill her brother and then watched him speed off in his Ford Fiesta minutes later.
- She testified that she arrived back to find Martin O'Donovan gravely injured in the road and Bates at the scene, describing earlier warnings of "you're gonna get it" during the confrontation.
- Earlier in the trial, sister Susanne Lewzey's recorded interview described a heavy-drinking evening that turned from friendly to a fight, followed by Bates' return and the collision outside her home.
- Police evidence recounted Bates being extremely intoxicated at arrest and saying, "I know what I've done... I've f***** up," while forensic findings were said to be consistent with him being run over at least once.
- Bates has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder, with the Crown alleging he intentionally drove at O'Donovan and the trial continuing at Liverpool Crown Court.