Jury Begins Deliberations in Murder Trial

A jury has commenced deliberations to consider verdicts in the trial of a man charged with his partner’s killing. Adam Barnard has pleaded not guilty to both the murder and manslaughter of Tara Kershaw, a 33-year-old mother-of-two, at their residence on Princes Road in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on January 19, 2024. The 41-year-old defendant previously testified at Norwich Crown Court, stating he “pinned her down with his arms across his chest,” and subsequently realized his “hands were round her neck.” He asserted that he was acting in self-defense, claiming he had awoken in bed to discover her assaulting him and striking him on the head with a lamp. The jury was informed that Mr. Barnard had entered the bed after having been out with a friend to obtain funds for purchasing strong cider and crack cocaine. The court heard that he “came-to” following a seizure and discovered his arm on her throat while he was recovering from a binge involving alcohol and drugs. A post-mortem examination determined that the death of the mother-of-two was consistent with compression to the neck, and additional neck injuries from previous weeks were also evident. The jury learned that Mr. Barnard had met Ms. Kershaw at a Karaoke bar in June 2023, and he stated that they became engaged several months thereafter. He testified that both individuals struggled with alcohol, and he asserted that Ms. Kershaw’s “nasty side” emerged when she consumed alcohol. The court was informed that Mr. Barnard had been arrested the day prior to Ms. Kershaw’s death, following her allegation of violence against her, which resulted in a split lip. He stated that the engagement was terminated that day, and he had “asked for the ring back,” while denying any acts of violence towards Miss Kershaw. Mr. Barnard surrendered to the police the day after Ms. Kershaw’s death at home on January 19. The jury continues its deliberations regarding the verdict.