Brit girl who visited dad’s Texas house for Xmas ended up being shot useless by him
Lucy Harrison, 23, was fatally shot at her father’s Texas home during a holiday visit – a grand jury declined to prosecute anyone, but a UK inquest heard claims he lied about drinking on the day of the tragedy
Lucy Harrison, 23, was fatally shot at her father’s Texas home during a holiday visit
A 23-year-old woman was fatally shot by her own father whilst visiting his home in Texas over Christmas. Lucy Harrison was visiting with her boyfriend Sam Littler on January 10 when she was killed by gunfire from “medium range” at the detached property in Prosper, Texas.
The pair had arrived at her father’s American residence on December 28, having departed from Heathrow airport. Lucy and Sam had purchased their first property together just nine months prior and had hosted family for their inaugural Christmas at their Warrington home days before leaving.
According to a medical report viewed by the ECHO, Lucy was shot in the chest by another individual, with five witnesses present at the property when officers arrived. It also confirmed Lucy had no alcohol or drugs in her system.
The incident took place at the home of her father, Kris Harrison, in the small town of Prosper. Despite Lucy sustaining a gunshot wound to her chest from “medium range” discharged by another individual, a grand jury determined no-one would face prosecution over her death on June 10 last year.
A grand jury in Texas comprises 12 individuals who establish whether there is probable cause to believe a person committed a felony, reviewing all evidence in private. Despite the individual accused of committing a crime being charged by police, they remain unnamed if the grand jury decides to terminate criminal proceedings, reports the Liverpool Echo.
At an inquest into Lucy’s death at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington today, February 10, senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish heard from Mr Harrison’s counsel Ana Samuel, who argued the coroner was “potentially biased” as she applied for a recusal.
She further claimed that the coroner was “trying to catch Mr Harrison out” due to not providing disclosure. She continued to say there was a “clear impression the inquest has been carried out in the way of a criminal investigation rather than that of a fact finding issue”.
When asked to comment on the coroner’s ability to provide a conclusion, she noted she would likely be looking at handing down the conclusion of unlawful killing. She said: “The only matter that is potentially relevant to you is what experience did Mr Harrison have, if any, with the firearm and whether Mr Harrison was under the influence.”
Lois Norris, representing Lucy’s mum, argued that Mr Harrison had 113 days to raise any concerns from when he was asked to provide a witness statement to the court. She said: “When an interested person requests disclosure it should be provided as soon as reasonably possible. That was provided as soon as reasonably practical.”
She continued: “This is simply an ambush by Mr Harrison’s legal team on the morning of what is already an incredibly traumatic day.”
She revealed that Mr Harrison was “historically an alcoholic” and the coroner needed to establish how Mr Harrison and his daughter came to be alone in a bedroom of the property with the firearm.
Ms Devonish refused to recuse herself from the hearing and step aside from overseeing the inquest. She informed the court: “Mr Harrison has lost his opportunity to provide his evidence. He was the only person in the room at the time Lucy was shot and it was important that he provided his statement of fact. There was no need for him to see the disclosure.
“I don’t provide bundles until we have the initial statement as I take it into account in reviewing evidence.”
Ms Devonish explained that she has no connection with those involved in the inquest, and therefore, had no reason to step down from her position.
She went on: “I do not feel the need to stand down from this case today or at any time.”
After further objection from Ms Samuel, Ms Devonish said: “When I received the police statement he had lied about his drinking and had not admitted to being an alcoholic.”
She added: “He only said yesterday that he admits drinking alcohol on the day in question.”
Lucy’s mum, Jane Coates, paid tribute to her daughter when she sat down for an emotional interview with the ECHO. She said: “It’s so hard to capture who she was, and who she still is, using words because they just don’t come close.
“She was full of energy and life, and she was bold and brave. She was so emotionally intelligent, she was able to feel everything and she wasn’t ashamed of feeling everything.”
