Theodore Lynch has gone on trial for murder after getting into an argument with Leslie Smith at his flat in Suffolk Square, Norwich, during which Mr Smith was fatally stabbed.
Suffolk Square, Norwich (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Norwich Crown Court has heard Lynch had gone to Mr Smith’s flat to give him money to buy drugs.
Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)But after the victim returned without any drugs or money the pair became involved in a fatal row on October 5 2021.
In a closing speech delivered on behalf of Lynch on Monday Ed Renvoize said the defendant’s actions might be “inconsistent” with the suggestion he intended to cause Mr Smith “really serious harm.”
The defense barrister said Lynch ran “in a blind panic” from Mr Smith’s flat as a result of what happened, “legging it” and leaving behind his phone still plugged into the wall.
He insisted Lynch did not stay “callously waiting for death” but panicked and ran.
Mr Renvioze said he intended to kill Mr Smith he would not have taken the time to pick up his phone, “clean up and make sure the traces of him were gone from the flat”.
Theodore Lynch (left) and police at Suffolk Square (Image: Norfolk Constabulary/Newsquest)He said Lynch might also have washed the knife used in the attack and put it back in a drawer at the flat.
The jury of eight women and three men were told Mr Smith received a “single stab wound” which “wouldn’t have been immediately apparent it caused significant injury.”
Mr Renvoize said had Lynch been intending to cause Mr Smith really serious harm he would surely have “set about Mr Smith again”
Lynch has accepted he was angry because he wanted his drugs or his money back but the barrister insisted “lashing out in anger” was not the same as an attempt to cause serious harm.
Jurors were told a case of this seriousness requires “really serious scrutiny.”
Suffolk Square, Norwich (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Mr Renvoize said if Mr Smith’s death was, or may have been caused, by “something less than a deliberate action” then Lynch was not guilty of murder.
Lynch, of no fixed address, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder.
The trial continues.
