Overview
- Jurors at Teesside Crown Court returned the split verdict Monday, finding Stephen Ward guilty of murder and convicting Samuel Tweddle of manslaughter.
- Macaulay Branighan, 27, was chased from outside a Spar shop and cornered on Westerton Green in Stockton before a group attack with punches, kicks, and a machete.
- CCTV and eyewitness accounts showed three men in the chase, and witnesses described a large weapon striking Branighan as Ward urged his dog to pursue him and Tweddle blocked his escape.
- Forensic testimony said Branighan suffered five major knife wounds, including two down to the bone, and died days later after massive blood loss, multiple organ failure, and a brain injury.
- Both men were remanded for pre-sentence reports, and prosecutors say a third man used the machete and remains unnamed, which could spur further police work ahead of the June 2 hearing.