Leicester, England – A man in Leicester, England has been convicted of murdering his partner by shooting her in the head. Richard Basson, 45, was found guilty of killing Carrie Slater with a pistol at their home in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. Basson initially claimed to the police that Ms. Slater injured herself by walking into a pool cue he was brandishing.
During the trial at Leicester Crown Court, it was revealed that police were called to the couple’s home after Basson dialed 999, claiming that Ms. Slater had been stabbed with a pool cue. However, upon arriving at the scene, they found Ms. Slater with a critical injury to the front of her head, leading to her hospitalization where it was discovered she had been shot.
Despite admitting to causing Ms. Slater’s injuries, Basson never provided a clear explanation for his actions and exhibited erratic behavior when dealing with law enforcement. Police later discovered a self-loading pistol and ammunition in the couple’s back garden, leading to further charges against Basson.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) condemned Basson’s lack of remorse, stating, “Only Basson knows why he killed a woman he claimed to love. He’s never explained his actions. He’s never shown any remorse for killing another person.” Ms. Slater passed away two days after the incident and Basson has since remained in custody.
Basson is scheduled to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court, with the community and Ms. Slater’s loved ones still grappling with the tragic loss and searching for answers surrounding her untimely death. The case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the need for justice in such matters.