Man jailed for life for killing girlfriend before jumping out of flat window in Manchester
Michael Marler was high on drugs.
Last updated 3rd Aug 2018
A man who stabbed his girlfriend to death before jumping from a window onto a car and attacking passers-by has been jailed for life for her murder.
Michael Marler, 37, had admitted stabbing Danielle Richardson, 24, in her face, neck and back in a Manchester city centre apartment while on a drugs spree'' but denied that he intended to kill her.
On Thursday, a jury at found him guilty of murder, a spokesman for Manchester Crown Court said.
Marler, of Brideoak Street, Oldham, had been out to the cinema and shopping with Miss Richardson, 24, in the evening of February 12 before returning to the apartment in Ancoats, where they were staying while her house was being redecorated.
The pair had both smoked cannabis and used a crack pipe to take cocaine before her death, the court heard.
The following morning, at about 7.30am, CCTV footage showed Marler landing on a car parked outside the flat after jumping 25 feet from a second-storey window.
Dripping in blood he tried to steal the car before hitting and kicking a number of vehicles, punching and biting a passer-by and attempting to get into another car, the court heard.
When police were called they noticed blood on the window of the flat and went inside, where they discovered Miss Richardson face down on the floor of the kitchen and living room area.
Giving evidence, Marler, who admitted manslaughter, said he had no recollection of stabbing his girlfriend, jumping out of the window or attacking motorists and pedestrians.
In a police interview, he said: I loved the girl, I actually loved her to bits. I like to think I'm a nice person.
I don't even kill a spider.''
An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation is ongoing into previous police contact with Danielle Richardson.
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge, of GMP’s Major Incident Support Unit, said: “The traumatic chain of events that stemmed from Marler’s despicable actions brutally took away an innocent life and injured and traumatised many members of the public who had been going about their usual day in the city centre.
“The incidents unfolded in rapid succession as Marler went on a violent rampage but thankfully officers were on the scene in a matter of minutes and while he resisted arrest, police were able to detain him and prevent him from harming anyone else.
“Danielle was subjected to the most brutal attack at the hands of Marler. He showed nothing but rage as he relentlessly stabbed her body multiple times, leaving her with no chance of survival.
“Despite this terrifying and vicious attack, we know Danielle bravely tried to defend herself and fight for her life.
“The pain her family have had to endure since this day is truly heart-breaking and no family should ever be put through agony like this.
“I hope today’s result goes some way to helping them move forwards from this horrendous ordeal and heal as a family.”