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Jennifer and Stephen Chapple: Man feels 'ashamed' of killing neighbours Jennifer and Stephen Chapple: Man feels 'ashamed' of killing neighbours
(about 2 hours later)
Collin Reeves stabbed neighbours Jennifer and Stephen Chapple with a ceremonial dagger he had been given when he left the Army in 2017Collin Reeves stabbed neighbours Jennifer and Stephen Chapple with a ceremonial dagger he had been given when he left the Army in 2017
A former soldier who stabbed his neighbours to death with a ceremonial dagger has told a court he feels "ashamed and disgusted" with himself.A former soldier who stabbed his neighbours to death with a ceremonial dagger has told a court he feels "ashamed and disgusted" with himself.
Collin Reeves, 35, admits the manslaughter of Stephen and Jennifer Chapple but denies their murder.Collin Reeves, 35, admits the manslaughter of Stephen and Jennifer Chapple but denies their murder.
He claims he was suffering an abnormality of mental functioning when he killed the married couple in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, on 21 November.He claims he was suffering an abnormality of mental functioning when he killed the married couple in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, on 21 November.
Mr Reeves told the court earlier he did not know why he had killed them.Mr Reeves told the court earlier he did not know why he had killed them.
"I feel ashamed, [and] disgusted with myself after what I've done, taking Stephen and Jennifer's life while their children slept," he said."I feel ashamed, [and] disgusted with myself after what I've done, taking Stephen and Jennifer's life while their children slept," he said.
"I can't imagine the pain and suffering for their families and friends and their two boys, knowing they can never see their mum and dad again because of me," he added."I can't imagine the pain and suffering for their families and friends and their two boys, knowing they can never see their mum and dad again because of me," he added.
Jennifer Chapple, 33, and her 36-year-old teacher husband Stephen were killed inside their homeJennifer Chapple, 33, and her 36-year-old teacher husband Stephen were killed inside their home
The trial previously heard how he entered his neighbours' house from the rear after climbing over the fence separating their properties, before attacking them while their two children slept upstairs. Giving evidence at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, Mr Reeves claimed to have little memory of the killing, but recalled sitting on the stairs beforehand in tears after a conversation with his wife Kayley.
Mrs Chapple, 33, suffered six stab wounds to her upper chest and shoulder, causing fatal injuries to a major blood vessel and her heart. He said he feared "losing everything" when she told him she wanted a temporary separation because of the state of their relationship.
Her 36-year-old husband was found close to the rear door and had also suffered six stab wounds, as well as three other minor injuries. Light trigger
Giving evidence at Bristol Crown Court, Mr Reeves, who served in the 59 Commando Squadron of the Royal Engineers, was asked if he had been trained to kill. He claimed to have no memory of taking the ceremonial dagger out of the picture frame it was usually displayed in just minutes after their conversation.
He confirmed he had, but had not killed anyone during his time in the Army. The former army commando said he then remembered seeing a "white light", which he believed to be the Chapples' security light, that came on when he climbed into their back garden.
He said that he "drank heavily and often" after returning from Afghanistan and admitted that he had struck his wife during arguments. He previously told the court of his fear of CCTV cameras and being under surveillance from his Army service.
He said: "White light was a trigger when I was a soldier.
"When a light goes on, or somebody sets off a flare, when that white light goes up something is going to happen."
Jennifer and Stephen Chapple died from multiple stab wounds
"I had a feeling like it was me or them (the Chapples)."
"I know it was wrong, I should never have been there," he added.
The trial previously heard how he entered his neighbours' house from the rear after climbing over the fence separating their properties, before attacking them.
Jennier Chapple, 33, suffered six stab wounds to her upper chest and shoulder, causing fatal injuries to a major blood vessel and her heart.
Fatal injuries
Her 36-year-old husband Stephen was found close to the rear door and had also suffered six stab wounds, as well as three other minor injuries.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Reeves, who served in the 59 Commando Squadron of the Royal Engineers, was asked if he had been trained to kill.
He confirmed he had, but said he had not killed anyone during his time in the Army.
He said that he "drank heavily and often" after returning from Afghanistan and admitted he had struck his wife during arguments.
"Little minor things result in an argument and yes I hit her," he told the jury."Little minor things result in an argument and yes I hit her," he told the jury.
Mr Reeves and the Chapples had been involved in a dispute over parking spaces outside their homes, the court heardMr Reeves and the Chapples had been involved in a dispute over parking spaces outside their homes, the court heard
He also told the court he had experienced domestic violence when he was growing up. He also told the court he had experienced domestic violence when growing up.
Since leaving the Army, Mr Reeves said he found working as a lorry driver "very lonely" and in November 2021 he thought about taking his own life.Since leaving the Army, Mr Reeves said he found working as a lorry driver "very lonely" and in November 2021 he thought about taking his own life.
"I was thinking of disappearing. There were a lot of days when I wouldn't speak to anyone," he added.
He said his relationship with his wife had been "strained" at the time.He said his relationship with his wife had been "strained" at the time.
The trial has previously heard Mr Reeves' wife Kayley had told him she wanted a trial separation, minutes before the attack. Mr Reeves had also been involved in a long-running dispute with the Chapples over designated parking on the new-build housing development.
Parking dispute
Mr Reeves had been involved in a long-running dispute with the Chapples over designated parking on the new-build housing development.
Ten days before the killings, Mr Reeves allegedly verbally abused Mrs Chapple outside her house following an earlier exchange between the victim and Mr Reeves' wife.Ten days before the killings, Mr Reeves allegedly verbally abused Mrs Chapple outside her house following an earlier exchange between the victim and Mr Reeves' wife.
Psychiatrist Dr Lucy Bacon told the jury Mr Reeves was not suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in the Army.Psychiatrist Dr Lucy Bacon told the jury Mr Reeves was not suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in the Army.
She concluded he had symptoms of moderate depression, but there was nothing to suggest it undermined his ability to form a rational judgment or exercise self-control, and the defence of diminished responsibility did not apply.She concluded he had symptoms of moderate depression, but there was nothing to suggest it undermined his ability to form a rational judgment or exercise self-control, and the defence of diminished responsibility did not apply.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
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