Mark Gordon will self-represent after his legal team withdrew in the high-profile retrial over the death of newborn Victoria, marking a critical turn in proceedings against him and Constance Marten.
In a significant development in the retrial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, the court has been informed that Gordon will represent himself after his legal team has withdrawn from the case. This decision, announced by Judge Mark Lucraft KC, marks a pivotal shift in the proceedings.
Marten, aged 37, and Gordon, aged 50, face charges of manslaughter by gross negligence concerning the death of their newborn baby, Victoria. The infant's remains were discovered in a decomposed state within a shopping bag in a shed at a Brighton allotment in March 2023. The circumstances surrounding the case have drawn considerable media attention, particularly following the outcome of their first trial last year. In that proceeding, both were found guilty of concealing the birth of a child and of perverting the course of justice due to their failure to report the child's death.
The retrial comes amid a complex backdrop, as the jury now faces the challenge of examining the evidence without the legal representation that would typically guide a defendant through the judicial process. Mark Gordon's decision to take on his own defence raises questions about the implications for both the trial proceedings and the eventual outcome.
As the case continues to unfold, it highlights broader issues related to the treatment of vulnerable individuals and the responsibilities surrounding parenthood. Insights into the couple's circumstances and the events leading to this retrial will be examined as part of the judiciary's efforts to ascertain the facts surrounding this tragic event.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative refers to recent events and ongoing legal proceedings, such as the retrial and the withdrawal of Mark Gordon's legal team, which suggests a reasonable level of freshness. However, the mention of the first trial's outcome from last year might indicate some level of repetition from older reports.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
No direct quotes were found in the narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a well-known and reputable publication, the BBC, which is generally considered reliable.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible, given the context of an ongoing legal case. The decision of Mark Gordon to represent himself is a significant development but aligns with the unfolding of complex legal proceedings.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative passes with high confidence due to its reliability, freshness, and plausibility. The BBC is a trusted source, and the details provided align with ongoing legal developments.
