Axe Murder Trial: CCTV Shows Suspect Near Victim's Home

A trial is underway for a 49-year-old man accused of murdering his 58-year-old cousin with an axe in Bexhill, East Sussex. The prosecution presented security camera footage to the jury, depicting an individual they allege to be the defendant, Mr. Donald Excell, walking near the victim's home carrying an object on the night of the February 12th incident.

Sussex Police officers meticulously reviewed extensive CCTV footage from a wide area around Bexhill. A detective described the collected footage as the largest amount he had ever encountered. However, it was noted that no cameras captured the front of Mr. Excell's property on the day in question. The defendant, who resides in Bexhill, has pleaded not guilty to murder and possession of a bladed article.

Earlier testimony revealed that the defendant had a strained relationship with the victim, his cousin, Rita Lambourne. A family member stated that Mr. Excell had expressed conflicting emotions towards Ms. Lambourne, saying he "loved her, he hated her" and was angry with her. The victim was remembered by a school friend as a generous and kind person.