Two individuals in court chuckled after being acquitted of the murder charges of two senior citizens in connection with a fire at their residence. Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, tragically perished in their South John Street home in St Helens on July 15 last year. On Tuesday, Kevin Weetman, 34, a drug dealer, along with Kylie Maynard, 37, and Lee Owens, 46, were acquitted of the double murder charges.
Weetman and Maynard were convicted of manslaughter at Liverpool Crown Court, while Owens had previously admitted to manslaughter before the trial. Owens claimed he believed the house was unoccupied during the incident and had no intention of harming or killing anyone.
Following 11 hours and 57 minutes of deliberation, Weetman and Owens were observed smiling and laughing together upon the verdict, while Maynard showed no reaction. Sentencing for the trio is scheduled for Thursday.
George Jackson, Sheila’s son who also resided at the property, was reportedly the intended target in a drug-related altercation. Owens alleged that Smith had set fire to the house due to a personal conflict between the two men.
The incident stemmed from a disagreement over Maynard, with whom the arsonist had a sexual involvement, staying at Jackson’s home after being robbed of drugs and money. Prosecutors stated that the motive behind the arson was to save face in the drug world, resulting in the tragic deaths of Greener and Jackson.
During the trial, it was revealed that Weetman and Maynard had attempted to recruit Jackson as a drug dealer, leading to escalating tensions when Jackson declined the offer. This refusal allegedly prompted the plan to set fire to the house, resulting in the fatal consequences.
Although Paul Smith, who was involved in the arson, had passed away shortly after the incident, his role in the crime was not disputed. Owens maintained that his intention was only to cause damage to the property, while Weetman and Maynard denied involvement in the fire and the subsequent fatalities.
