Durham man accused after brother died following row over inheritance

Brothers Anthony and Michael Marshall met to discuss the will of their late brother, Alexander, at a solicitor’s office in Morpeth, Northumberland, on August 23, last year, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said that Anthony became so angry with Michael afterwards that he grabbed his chest, pushed him onto a bench and pinned him down.

The court was told that Anthony temporarily released his brother, allowing Michael to jump up, but then grabbed him again and pushed him back onto the bench.

Miss Egerton said he held his brother and said: “Mess with me and I’ll f****** kill you”.

The jury heard that the two then went their separate ways, but shortly afterwards Michael collapsed on the pavement, in the Sanderson Arcade.

Passers-by tried to help him, but he was confirmed dead at 5.50pm.

Anthony Marshall, 50, of Broom Road, Carrville, Durham City, was arrested the next day. He told police that he and his brother had disagreed over Alexander’s estate, but Michael had sat down on the bench because he was becoming anxious, the court heard.

Anthony admitted placing his hand on Michael’s chest but said that when they parted, his brother seemed fine.

He denied overpowering him and forcing him onto the bench.

Miss Egerton said a pathologist concluded that Michael, 52, who was from Morpeth and was known in the town as Little Elvis because of his karaoke performances, had died of heart disease caused by an irregular heartbeat and that the incident on the bench had directly contributed to his death.

The family dispute over Alexander’s will began shortly after he died and left his estate to his son, in October 2010.

Miss Egerton said the jury will have to consider what happened during the incident at the bench and whether Michael’s irregular heartbeat was caused by the row or events earlier that day.

Anthony Marshall denies manslaughter. The trial continues.