Axeman appeals life sentence

Monday 27 July 2015

Murderer Darren McCormick is going to court this morning to appeal against his life sentence for the brutal slaying of a man as he lay in bed.

McCormick (36) was given life with a minimum sentence of 25 years by the Royal Court in January, after the court heard that he attacked Colin Chevalier with an axe as his victim lay in bed.

The court heard that he tried to cut off Mr Chevalier’s right hand and hacked off his ear.

The attack took place in the early evening of 5 April last year at Mr Chevalier’s cottage in Duhamel Place. McCormick had arrived there – in the middle of what his lawyer called "a five-day bender" – and took Ethylphenidate, or “crystals”, while two other men were at the flat.

A toxicology report later showed that he was under the influence of alcohol and a mix of illegal and prescribed drugs.

The hearing is taking place in the secure court at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, and is expected to last into tomorrow.

McCormick is represented by Advocate Julian Gollop, who defended Victoria Crescent killer Damian Rzeszowski in 2012.

Crown Advocate Howard Sharp is appearing for the Attorney General in the case – he led the original prosecution earlier this year as Solicitor General, but has since set up in private practice.