A narrative verdict has been reached at the inquest of a 40-year-old man who died at his sister’s wedding reception.
Kerry Morgan, 40, was found unconscious by emergency services at New Tredegar Rugby Club on July 6, 2019.
What is a narrative verdict?
Coroners or a jury may also deliver a ‘narrative’ conclusion which sets out the facts surrounding the death in more detail. This longer explanation will include the coroner’s or jury’s conclusions on the main issues arising in the surrounding circumstances of the death. The Coroner is also not bound by the list of suggested conclusions above; this means that as long as the Coroner can form a conclusion which is concise and indicates how the deceased came by their death, a narrative verdict is acceptable. The Coroner is unable to apportion any blame or civil or criminal liability of another individual (as defined by section 10(2) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009).
Source: CPS
The inquest, held in Newport, heard evidence that Mr Morgan had been restrained by family members after becoming aggressive in a row over an “innocent joke”.
Mr Morgan’s wife, Rebecca, described him as a “gentle giant” who had suffered with anxiety and depression over the years. She said he would become anxious while drinking alcohol and was aware of the warnings about drinking while on anti-depressants.
In evidence to the inquest, his brother Kelvin said a joke about him losing his phone from their father Melvyn had angered him.
The inquest was also told that Mr Morgan, in addition to drinking a large amount of alcohol, also had amphetamine in his system.
A forensic pathologist said he believed Mr Morgan had suffered an “acute behavioural disturbance” and had lost consciousness after pressure was applied to his neck.
An “acute behavioural disturbance” is an umbrella psychiatric term for when someone’s behaviour is suddenly ‘out of control’.
Recording a narrative verdict, Caroline Saunders, the senior coroner for Gwent, said Mr Morgan had vomited while lying face down and this had blocked his airway. He suffered a cardiac arrest after he stopped breathing.
CPR was performed on Mr Morgan by paramedics and police but they were unable to save him.
Ms Saunders said there were a number of factors which contributed to Mr Morgan’s death with no single cause.
The inquest had been delayed because of a police investigation. Two people were arrested on suspicion of murder on the night of Mr Morgan’s death. The two men were later released without charge.
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