Defendant in Murder Trial Expresses Expectation of Dying in Prison

Brian Whitelock, 57, accused of the murder of retired riding instructor Wendy Buckney, 71, has informed a jury that he anticipates dying in prison. Ms. Buckney was discovered battered and stabbed at her residence in Clydach, Swansea. Mr. Whitelock stated he had no recollection of the incident, claiming he heard voices and suffered from brain injuries. He departed the witness box at Swansea Crown Court when questioned about his involvement in the killing of two men, including his brother, in 2000. Representing himself, Mr. Whitelock admits to the manslaughter of Ms. Buckney in August 2022, citing diminished responsibility, but he denies the charge of murder. The court was presented with CCTV footage and audio recordings depicting Mr. Whitelock outside Ms. Buckney’s flat, covered in blood, telling a neighbour he had killed her. She was found naked, and her body was concealed beneath furniture. Ms. Buckney had been assaulted with a table leg and a piece of shelving, and she had been stabbed repeatedly. Her injuries were so severe that a pathologist was unable to accurately count the stab wounds. Mr. Whitelock described her death as horrific. He told the court: “I am sorry, I can’t ever forgive myself. I can’t come to terms with what’s happened. I expect to die in jail. I deserve to. I have no recollection.” In the weeks preceding Ms. Buckney’s death, Mr. Whitelock claimed he sustained two significant head injuries. He informed the court that “everything changed” after he fell from a derelict bridge while fishing. He characterized his attack on Ms. Buckney as “out of character.” In 2001, Mr. Whitelock was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of two men, including his brother, at a house in Swansea in 2000. He was convicted of murdering Nicky Morgan at his home and of the manslaughter of his brother Glenn, who was asleep upstairs. He told the court: “Twenty-odd years ago I killed someone in a fight.”People go on about a history of violence, I have no history of violence apart from that. I served a long sentence and kept my head down.”If I hadn’t had the bang on the head, this wouldn’t have happened.” Mr. Whitelock stated he did not remember entering Ms. Buckney’s house. “It must have been me that caused Wendy’s death,” he said. Mr. Whitelock mentioned he had known Ms. Buckney for “some time” and performed odd jobs for her, such as gardening and laying tiles. “She was really lovely, one of the most genuine people I know,” he added.”She helped me a lot. It’s difficult to talk about. She would do anything to help me.” “Before all this happened I had a normal life on a day-to-day basis, I was no bother to anyone.” He reported suffering from memory loss and confusion. He stated that his confusion became so severe he forgot he was a father to a son and daughter. The court heard that prior to Ms. Buckney’s death, Mr. Whitelock had gone days without sleep and food and had been prescribed strong sleeping tablets. Upon exiting the witness box, he addressed the judge, Mr. Justice Griffiths, stating: “I am not answering any more questions.”You can go on the medical evidence. I can’t defend myself. You say it’s a fair trial? Get me out.” Chris Rees KC, prosecuting, asserted that Mr. Whitelock employed extreme violence in 2000 and again in the murder of Ms. Buckney. Mr. Whitelock responded: “I have spent 18 years in prison. I’m not answering questions about a trial 24 years ago, I went through this 24 years ago.”I was found guilty and served my time, this has no relevance in this case whatsoever. “This is just your way of trying to tie me in knots and make me out to be a liar.” Mr. Rees contended that Mr. Whitelock had lied during the previous trial, blaming his brother for Mr. Morgan’s murder to “save his own skin.” Mr. Whitelock questioned: “How do you know that was a lie?” The jury was informed that Mr. Whitelock had been arrested and questioned about Ms. Buckney’s death at Swansea Central Police station. An officer reportedly overheard him stating: “I’m not doing another life sentence for murder.” Mr. Rees suggested that Mr. Whitelock’s objective was to lie to avoid another life sentence. Mr. Whitelock asserted an inability to recall what transpired at Ms. Buckney’s ground floor flat. He informed the court: “My brain has gone through a hell of an experience. I am not going to allow (you) to make me out to be a liar.” Mr. Rees countered: “You lied in 2001 and you are lying now. You do know what happened but have chosen not to tell the truth.” The legal proceedings are ongoing. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding their policy on external linking is available.