The mother of a slain 9-year-old British girl described in court this week how she saw a bullet in the victim’s chest after two men chased each other into her home.
Cheryl Korbel, identified as the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, took the stand this week at the Manchester crown court and recounted what happened on August 22, 2022, after two armed men ran inside her home off Kingsheath Avenue, in the Dovecot area of Liverpool.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Olivia was killed after Korbel tried to close the door on accused murderer Thomas Cashman, 34, who’s currently on trial, accused of murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm.
Cashman allegedly was firing a weapon at the other man, identified as 35-year-old Joseph Nee. Cashman had been chasing the Nee just moments before Nee burst into Korbe’s residence.
Korbel tried to stop Cashman from entering the home, but he shot her in the wrist, then continued to fire, police said, shooting Olivia in the chest and causing fatal injuries.
Korbel testified that she initially didn’t know that her daughter had been shot, as she was trying to get Nee out of her home.
“She said something, I don’t know whether it was ‘mum,’ but when I turned around she was just sat there still on the bottom of the second stair,” Korbel testified.
“The door flew open, I was huddled over the baby [Olivia] because I couldn’t lift her by myself because of my arm…There was blood everywhere. I knew it wasn’t right. I lifted her top and that’s when I knew she’d been shot in the chest. She was gasping for breath and I was screaming at her to stay with me, the ambulance will be here in a minute. I was just screaming ‘please Liv stay with me.’”
The jury also heard this week from numerous witnesses who said they heard “the worst screaming I’ve ever heard in my life,” including a neighbor who heard a “completely inconsolable” Korbel screaming and crying after Olivia had been shot.
Cashman has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode below.
[Featured image: Olivia Pratt-Korbel /Family Handout]
