15/02/2011
Bizarre Double Murder Trial Continues
Defence counsel for a Co Londonderry woman accused of freely taking part in the plot to kill her own husband and her then lover's wife, have claimed that dentist Colin Howell was forcing the accused, Hazel Stewart against her will to be complicit in the deadly plot.
The self-confessed killer dentist (pictured) has already told Coleraine Crown Court he had been "an evil man" having admitted killing his wife, Lesley Howell and the husband of Mrs Stewart - policeman, Trevor Buchanan in May 1991.
RUC Constable Buchanan was married to Howell's former lover Hazel Stewart who is now accused of the same two murders.
On day six of her murder trial Howell said he had volunteered to give evidence because he wanted the truth of the murders to be known.
The former dentist admits he gassed his victims with car exhaust fumes and then staged their bodies to look like a double suicide.
But, under cross-examination he denied he had exerted a controlling influence over Stewart who, a defence barrister claimed "wanted no part in the murder plot".
But Howell dismissed suggestions he had acted as a "puppet master" who exerted a domineering influence on Stewart.
The bodies of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan were found gassed by fumes in a car behind a row of houses in Castlerock, Co Londonderry more than 18 years ago.
Howell and his co-accused, as well as their partners, were all members of Coleraine Baptist Church at the time of the deaths.
A year after the police launched the original investigation, a Coroner's court inquest said the deaths were suicides, both victims having been poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes.
But, Howell revealed the true story many years later and pleaded his guilt when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court last November with his ex-lover Hazel Stewart now also standing trial for the murders.
See: Life Sentences For 'Suicide' Murders
The self-confessed killer dentist (pictured) has already told Coleraine Crown Court he had been "an evil man" having admitted killing his wife, Lesley Howell and the husband of Mrs Stewart - policeman, Trevor Buchanan in May 1991.
RUC Constable Buchanan was married to Howell's former lover Hazel Stewart who is now accused of the same two murders.
On day six of her murder trial Howell said he had volunteered to give evidence because he wanted the truth of the murders to be known.
The former dentist admits he gassed his victims with car exhaust fumes and then staged their bodies to look like a double suicide.
But, under cross-examination he denied he had exerted a controlling influence over Stewart who, a defence barrister claimed "wanted no part in the murder plot".
But Howell dismissed suggestions he had acted as a "puppet master" who exerted a domineering influence on Stewart.
The bodies of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan were found gassed by fumes in a car behind a row of houses in Castlerock, Co Londonderry more than 18 years ago.
Howell and his co-accused, as well as their partners, were all members of Coleraine Baptist Church at the time of the deaths.
A year after the police launched the original investigation, a Coroner's court inquest said the deaths were suicides, both victims having been poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes.
But, Howell revealed the true story many years later and pleaded his guilt when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court last November with his ex-lover Hazel Stewart now also standing trial for the murders.
See: Life Sentences For 'Suicide' Murders
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23 February 2011
Killer Dentist 'Used Gas To Sedate Lovers'
A high profile murder trial has heard that the accused, Hazel Stewart, feared her former lover - a dentist - gave her too much laughing gas before a sex session on his dentist's chair. Mrs Stewart, 47, is denying murdering her husband, Trevor Buchanan, 32, and her former lover Colin Howell's wife, Leslie, 31, in May 1991.
Killer Dentist 'Used Gas To Sedate Lovers'
A high profile murder trial has heard that the accused, Hazel Stewart, feared her former lover - a dentist - gave her too much laughing gas before a sex session on his dentist's chair. Mrs Stewart, 47, is denying murdering her husband, Trevor Buchanan, 32, and her former lover Colin Howell's wife, Leslie, 31, in May 1991.
08 February 2013
Hazel Stewart Was 'Knowing And Willing' Accomplice
The Appeal Court has ruled Hazel Stewart was a "knowing and willing" participant in the murder of her husband and her former lover’s wife, the BBC has reported. Three senior judges have concluded she supported the double murder, carried out by former dentist Colin Howell, by providing him with assistance.
Hazel Stewart Was 'Knowing And Willing' Accomplice
The Appeal Court has ruled Hazel Stewart was a "knowing and willing" participant in the murder of her husband and her former lover’s wife, the BBC has reported. Three senior judges have concluded she supported the double murder, carried out by former dentist Colin Howell, by providing him with assistance.
13 January 2012
Stewart Faces Delay Over Double Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart, who was convicted of double murder, may have to wait until the summer to hear if she can overturn her conviction. Stewart was convicted of murdering her husband and her lover Colin Howell's wife 20 years ago.
Stewart Faces Delay Over Double Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart, who was convicted of double murder, may have to wait until the summer to hear if she can overturn her conviction. Stewart was convicted of murdering her husband and her lover Colin Howell's wife 20 years ago.
04 May 2011
Howell Inquest To 'Set Record Straight'
The first phase of a new inquest into the deaths of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan is now underway. It aims to set the record straight after their respective partners were jailed for their murders, with a coroner's court hearing in Belfast told today that a second hearing will take place before the end of next month.
Howell Inquest To 'Set Record Straight'
The first phase of a new inquest into the deaths of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan is now underway. It aims to set the record straight after their respective partners were jailed for their murders, with a coroner's court hearing in Belfast told today that a second hearing will take place before the end of next month.
21 January 2013
Hazel Stewart Drops Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart has dropped an appeal against her conviction for murdering her husband over twenty years ago. The 49-year-old was involved in a ploy with her ex-lover, Colin Howell, to murder their respective spouses and pass it off as a suicide pact.
Hazel Stewart Drops Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart has dropped an appeal against her conviction for murdering her husband over twenty years ago. The 49-year-old was involved in a ploy with her ex-lover, Colin Howell, to murder their respective spouses and pass it off as a suicide pact.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
