In a tranquil garden setting, the truth behind a vicious crime has come to light. Three individuals have been convicted for their roles in the murder of Rikki Berry, a tragic incident that unfolded on a peaceful street in Merseyside. The victim, 36-year-old Rikki Berry, succumbed to his injuries after being shot in Quarryside Drive, Kirkby, Knowsley, on the fateful evening of 17 July.
The perpetrators, Michael Smith, 27, Adam Williams, 26, and Connor Walsh, 26, were all found guilty of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to cause harm during a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. The trio is set to face sentencing on 18 February for their heinous actions.
The fatal sequence of events saw a masked assailant on an electric bike fire four shots at Rikki Berry as he stood in the front garden of his partner’s residence. As the bike slowed to a halt, a black Seat Alteca Cupra, driven by Williams, also came to a stop alongside the victim’s home. Smith, the rider of the bike, then opened fire, leading to Berry’s tragic demise from a gunshot wound to his chest.
Further revelations during the trial shed light on the sinister planning that preceded the murder. The trio, in communication with each other through phone records, conducted surveillance of the scene prior to the attack. Following the shooting, the defendants deactivated their phones, with Williams leaving the Merseyside area in an attempt to evade justice.
Critical evidence tying the perpetrators to the crime included DNA found on a bullet casing, linking Walsh to the scene. Despite initial denials, during the trial, Walsh and Williams altered their defense statements, implicating Smith as the gunman. Subsequently, Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter and firearm possession charges but maintained his denial of the murder charge.
Reflecting on the gravity of the crime, Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicola Wyn Williams emphasized the callous nature of the execution-style murder that unfolded on a residential street in July 2024. She underscored the potential harm that could have befallen others in the vicinity, highlighting the dangers posed by firearms in communities. The sentiments of sympathy and support were extended to Rikki Berry’s grieving loved ones by the prosecution.
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