Overview
- A unanimous jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found Murphy, 42, guilty on January 13 after about 14 hours of deliberation, and Judge Chris Morgan set sentencing for February 4 with a life term to be imposed.
- Expert witness Dr Ahmed Mohamed Elsharkawy testified that the injuries inflicted worsened Self’s liver disease and caused multi-organ failure, leading to his death on December 21, 2023 after six weeks in hospital.
- The fatal assault occurred during a November 8, 2023 stay at the Smuggler’s Cove hotel in Clacton, where paramedics found extensive blood and Self reported being stamped on, punched, and having his head slammed.
- Evidence showed a pattern of prior abuse, including photographs of earlier injuries and text messages documenting increasingly volatile behavior and threats to kill.
- Murphy denied causing the injuries and the defence argued Self’s liver-related encephalopathy could have affected his memory, as police highlighted that domestic abuse can affect men and urged victims to seek help.