Moses Christensen case: family say murder was "pure evil"

Jurors at Stafford Crown Court deliberated for less than three hours yesterday (Wednesday) before finding 22-year-old Christensen guilty of Mr Hall's murder at Brown Clee Hill, Shropshire, on August 13 last year.

Giving evidence by video-link last week, Home Office-approved pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer said Mr Hall, aged 70, from Perton, Staffordshire, had suffered 26 injuries, including a "horrific" wound to his hand and another which had penetrated his skull.

The court also heard Christensen, who had armed himself with two combat knives, was being sought by police at the time - after telling a relative he wanted to kill three teachers.

Christensen of Corser Street, Oldswinford, had walked around 20 miles before carrying out what he himself described as a "savage" and "animalistic" attack on Richard Hall near the summit.

Prosecutor Adrian Keeling QC had told the court Christensen, a former Elmfield student, "wanted to kill someone and Mr Hall, walking on his own, was chosen by the defendant as an easy target."

He said Christensen "had no reason at all to bear Mr Hall any ill will, let alone to kill him".

Christensen, who has a history of depression dating back to his early teens, was arrested after knocking on the door of a house in Burwarton and telling the occupant he had committed a crime.

After informing police called to the property that he had "cut himself whilst committing a murder", Christensen went on to describe how he had seen Mr Hall emerge "out of the fog" on the hill and, in interview, he had said 'I would like to point out that this wasn't just an outburst of emotion or something'.

Mr Hall's body was found a day after the brutal attack - near to a communications mast.

Speaking after yesterday' conviction, Mr Hall's devastated family said in a statement: "Richard (pictured) was a brilliant man in every way, 70 years young, an amazing husband, father and grandad. A man with so much to live for whose life was so brutally and senselessly taken away by what can only be described as an act of pure evil, perpetrated by pure evil.

Richard Hall. Pic - West Mercia Police

"It beggars belief that this could happen to someone simply taking a walk on a summer's evening in such a remote and beautiful location. We as a family have been left shattered by these events and will never fully comprehend what has tragically taken place. No sentence imposed by any court could give us complete justice for Richard.

"A truly wonderful man who was loved, admired and respected by so many people and his memory will never fade."

During the trial jurors were informed Christensen told police he wanted to kill someone "just for the sake of killing somebody" - as a "sort of lifelong desire and ambition".

Christensen, who is said to have autism spectrum disorder and had previously spent periods of time living rough in the countryside, denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility but the prosecution said he formed rational judgements and made rational decisions and had "killed because that is exactly what he wanted to do."

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Dinesh Maganty told the trial he believed the "significantly impaired" psychotic condition of Christensen was the only explanation for the killing.

But another expert witness, forensic psychiatrist Dr Suraj Shenoy, said the defendant had no clear symptoms of psychosis and was not "acting randomly or in a frenzy" on the day of the killing.

Senior investigating officer, DCI Mark Bellamy, from West Mercia Police’s Major Investigation Unit, said after the case that Mr Hall's family had "understandably been left shattered by his loss" and he added: "Richard was simply taking a walk on Brown Clee Hill when he was tragically killed in a senseless attack.

“Moses Christensen is clearly a dangerous individual and I’m pleased the jury has reached the verdict it has and found him guilty of murder. He had no motive to kill Richard Hall other than Richard was sadly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Moses Christensen’s violent and horrific actions have left a family without a husband, father and grandad, a man who was respected by many, and our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.”

Christensen will be sentenced on March 16.

The judge, Mr Justice Pepperall, told him he can expect life in prison.