A MAN has been jailed for life over the ‘motiveless’ murder of a Coventry man.
Liam McGerrigan was fatally stabbed moments after leaving a pizza take-away when he was confronted by two men on a church car park in Holyhead Road on June 9.
Joseph Johnson, of no fixed address, had admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing but following a five-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court was found guilty of murder yesterday (December 20) and jailed for 25 years.
The court heard how 27-year-old Liam and a friend were walking towards their car having visited a pizza parlour when they were set upon by 25-year-old Johnson.
Liam’s friend managed to escape without injury but Liam was stabbed in the chest.
He staggered back to the friend’s house in Holyhead Road, before dying in his arms.
Liam McGerrigan
The jury heard how Johnson fled the area following the attack – but West Midlands Police detectives traced him to Devon where he was arrested days after the attack.
And following two days of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of murder.
Detective Inspector Shaun Egan, from the force’s Homicide team, said: “Liam has been described as being a happy, kind and sensitive person who was always willing to help out his friends.
“In fact on the night he died he was visiting his friend to help with some DIY.
“Johnson was intent on violence that night and had been driving around the area where he had armed himself with a knife and hammer.
“The motive for that attack will always remain unclear and this is a tragic case.
“We hope that today’s result gives some comfort to Liam’s family and friends who continue to come to terms with the tragic loss of their loved one.”
A 33-year-old man also stood trial for murder by joint enterprise but was found not guilty.
