Stab murder accused was clear thinking, jury told

Dylan Thomas has denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter

A 24-year-old man who killed his best friend on Christmas Eve was showing "clear thinking" when he stabbed him 37 times, a court has heard.

Dylan Thomas admitted the manslaughter of William Bush, 23, at a house they shared in Llandaff, Cardiff, on 24 December 2023, but denies murder.

He was in a "downward spiral" but in control at the time of the killing, a prosecutor told the jury.

But Mr Thomas's defence lawyer asked jurors to consider the possibility that his client was impaired by mental health problems.

"We don’t know what caused Dylan Thomas to act in the way he did," said Greg Bull KC, prosecuting, in his closing speech.

He told jurors Mr Thomas had shown "clear thinking" when he told police he was acting in self-defence when he killed Mr Bush.

"If he is suffering psychosis with the fear Mr Bush was going to kill him, why on Earth was he going there," Mr Bull asked.

Jurors heard expert opinion that Mr Thomas had been psychotic for months prior to the killing.

They also heard he told police officers he was Jesus after his arrest and offered one PC a "job with God".

Following another arrest, for scaling the fence at Buckingham Palace, he spoke about the "illuminati" running the world.

William Bush was described by his family as a "loyal, funny and caring son, brother and boyfriend"

The night before the attack he had carried out internet searches about the anatomy of the neck.

The court heard Mr Thomas was loner and told his grandmother he was depressed.

The next morning she gave him a lift from her home in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, to the house on Chapel Street in Llandaff.

He told his grandmother he wanted to check on his dog, Bruce.

Minutes later he appeared at her car screaming and was covered in blood. She carried out CPR on Mr Bush until paramedics arrived.

'Mental health explanation'

"Despite having everything in life, Dylan Thomas had achieved very little," Mr Bull said.

"On the other side of the coin, Mr Bush having come from very little, achieved great success," he added.

"Everything in his life was on the up where it might have been perceived in Dylan Thomas’ case, life was on the downward spiral."

In his closing speech, Orlando Pownall KC, defending, said his client was clearly suffering mental health issues.

"It’s your job to decide whether in all probability this defendant’s actions were substantially impaired," he said.

"Mental health lies at the centre of this particular case… you must and will acquit if you think it’s probable there is a mental health explanation," he said.

In their evidence two psychiatrists agreed that Mr Thomas was suffering from psychosis at the time of the attack.

Dr Panchu Xavier, who is treating Mr Thomas at Ashworth High Secure Hospital, said psychosis was a major contributing factor in Mr Bush’s killing.

Dr Dilum Jayawickrama, a prosecution expert witness, said psychosis was not a major factor and that Mr Thomas was in control of his actions.

The trial continues.