Latest news with #JaneCoates
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
No criminal charges over British woman shot dead in US
US authorities have said no criminal charges will be made over the death of a British woman who was shot during a Harrison, 23, from Warrington, was visiting her father in the town of Prosper in Texas when she was fatally wounded on 10 local district attorney's office confirmed "the grand jury voted a no-bill, which means there will be no criminal charges related to the death".In a tribute released to the Warrington Guardian, Ms Harrison's mother Jane Coates said: "Although we have tried so hard to prepare for this moment, it is a brutal outcome to accept." The exact circumstances of how Ms Harrison was shot have not been publicly revealed. A heavily redacted police report previously said a suspect had been identified by officers, along with five witnesses, at her father's property. 'No accountability' Ms Coates said a grand jury, which had since reviewed the case, "concluded that the evidence didn't meet the threshold for criminal charges"."This means that, as far as they are concerned, there will be no criminal charges for the person who shot Lucy."She added her family found it "baffling and beyond comprehension" that there would be "no accountability for what happened to my daughter"."The international element, coupled with a different legal system, practice and thresholds, makes the outcome even harder and more frustrating to accept."Along with Ms Harrison's partner, Sam Littler, she said she would "welcome learning more from communities and groups in Texas who are working to prevent gun deaths".Ms Coates added her daughter, who studied sociology and took part in college debates, would have been a "fierce advocate of this". UK inquest Mr Littler, who met Ms Harrison when they attended the same school, said: "This outcome has left us baffled, heartbroken and it has been incredibly frustrating to understand the thresholds and legal system in Texas."He said he was "one of the very fortunate ones who met 'their person' at a very young age and I will be forever grateful to experience that, even for just one minute"."Like Jane, I miss the smiles, the belly laughs, and how passionate and driven she was when she talked about her work."A UK coroner is due to hold an inquest over Ms Harrison's death at a later date, Ms Coates 400 people attended her daughter's funeral at a church in Warrington, where the young couple had recently bought a home. Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
Tragic update into death of Brit, 23, ‘shot in chest' at dad's US home as her mum reveals ‘killer' will not face justice
THE mum of a Brit woman shot dead at her dad's home in the US has revealed her fury after discovering her alleged killer will not face justice. Lucy Harrison, 23, was discovered at the property in the Prosper area of Texas on January 10. 6 6 At the time, authorities in the US confirmed she died after being shot in the chest by "another person". Officials revealed a suspect had been identified and that the case was being probed as "criminally negligent homicide". But Collin County District Attorney's Office has confirmed that a Grand Jury has issued a 'no-bill' in the case - meaning criminal charges will not be brought. Lucy's mum Jane Coates has now hit out at the "baffling" decision and said it was "beyond comprehension". She said the Grand Jury found the evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal proceedings. Jane, from Warrington, Cheshire, added: ""Although we have tried so hard to prepare for this moment, it is a brutal outcome to accept. "It is baffling and beyond comprehension to us, our families and friends, that there is to be no accountability for what happened to my daughter. "The international element, coupled with a different legal system, practice, and thresholds, makes the outcome even harder and more frustrating to accept. "The outpouring of love for Lucy, myself, Sam, and our families and friends, from our local community and beyond, has been overwhelming, and I cannot thank everyone enough for their ongoing support." Unlike Britain, in the US a Grand Jury of citizens meets to review evidence and decide whether to bring a prosecution. The hearings are conducted in secret, so details of who could have been charged have not been released. It previously emerged from a police report that five witnesses had been identified - including two children. Paying tribute, Jane said: "When the time is right, I would welcome learning more from communities and groups in Texas who are working to prevent gun deaths through education, partnerships, and policy change. "I know that Lucy would be a fierce advocate of this. "I miss her infectious belly laughs, her constant chatter about her dream job at Boohoo in Manchester, her requests to tickle her legs, travel plans, her tears - and there were many! "Most of all, as her mum, I miss spending time with the absolute light of my life. It was, and still is, a privilege to be her mum. "In the words of her final Mother's Day card to me, I'll 'keep mumming it'." An inquest in Cheshire heard how Lucy was "on holiday in the USA when she was fatally shot with a firearm". Just hours before the horror, Lucy could be seen posing happily in the snow with her family in touching last photos. Wearing a thick black coat, the graduate beamed next to her dad, younger siblings and stepmum. Lucy also grinned alongside her boyfriend, who she had flown to the US with just after Christmas to visit her family. The couple, who had just bought a house together, had been planning to fly back to Manchester the day after Lucy was discovered dead. Sam said: "Due to the legal proceedings over in America, Lucy's voice has been silenced, leaving myself and Jane completely heartbroken. "This outcome has left us baffled, heartbroken, and it has been incredibly frustrating to understand the thresholds and legal system in Texas. "Our whole life was planned out, and we began that first step by buying our own home. "I was one of the very fortunate ones who met 'their person' at a very young age, and I will be forever grateful to experience that, even for just one minute." The family have requested that, if desired, donations be made to Peace and Mind UK - a charity based in Lucy's hometown founded in memory of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey. 6 6 6 6
