06/07/2005

Father pleads guilty to daughter’s manslaughter

A father has admitted killing his daughter, who was shot dead in her home just weeks after her wedding.

Terry Rodgers, 56, denied murdering his 23-year-old daughter Chanel Taylor, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at Nottingham Crown Court.

The prosecution did not accept his plea and said they would press for the murder charge.

Chanel Taylor was found dead in her home in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, which she shared with Rodgers and her new husband, on July 30 last year. She had died from gunshot wounds to the head.

Rodgers went into hiding in nearby woodland following Chanel’s death and he was finally discovered, weeks later, following a search involving more than 500 police officers.

Rodgers was taken into custody, but went on hunger strike on Christmas Eve, reportedly telling staff that he wanted to die “as quietly as possible”. He was eventually sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The case was adjourned by Mr Justice Poole for a further hearing in September.

(KMcA/GB)


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