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Bristol student on trial searched 'what does corpse look like' after fatal stabbing
Overview
A university student, Zack Coughlan, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court accused of murdering his housemate, Jamie Collins, by stabbing him 30 times in a planned ambush. The court heard that Coughlan searched terms including 'what does corpse look like' on his phone, admitted responsibility for the attack while claiming he feared for his life, and carried on with normal activities such as playing video games before calling the police hours later.
Key points
- Zack Coughlan, 23, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of his 21-year-old housemate, Jamie Collins.
- Prosecutors described the fatal attack, in which Collins was stabbed 30 times in their garden, as a planned execution.
- The jury was told Coughlan searched phrases like 'what does corpse look like' and 'defending yourself with lethal force against an acid attack lawful' on his phone.
- Coughlan admits responsibility for the stabbing but denies murder, claiming he lost self-control because he feared for his life.
- After the attack, Coughlan cooked a pizza, played online games with friends, and called the police roughly six hours later.