On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at an appeal renewal hearing at the Court of Appeal, Annabel Timan (Doughty Street Chambers) will argue that Amanda O’Shaughnessy’s 2015 murder conviction is unsafe due to fresh psychiatric evidence supporting the defence of loss of control. This new evidence highlights the years of domestic abuse, sexual violence and coercive control O’Shaughnessy endured—factors that were not fully explored during her trial.

A History of Domestic Abuse

Amanda O’Shaughnessy was convicted in June 2015 and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 14 years imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of her partner, David Butterworth, on December 7, 2014.

Their relationship was marked by repeated incidents of domestic abuse, with police called to their home on multiple occasions—including just weeks before the fatal incident. O’Shaughnessy had suffered sustained physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at Butterworth’s hands. However, much of this history was not fully explored at trial.

The Night of the Incident

On the night of December 7, 2014, an argument broke out between the couple at their home in Rainhall, Merseyside. O’Shaughnessy recorded part of the confrontation on her phone, and the jury later heard this evidence in court. Following the argument, Butterworth left the house to sleep in his car.

Concerned for his welfare—it was a cold night, and he had a chest infection—O’Shaughnessy invited him back inside. However, once inside, tensions escalated quickly. According to O’Shaughnessy, Butterworth began shouting at her and making cruel accusations about their daughter’s paternity. When she told him to leave, he followed her into the kitchen, grabbed her by the throat, and pinned her against a cupboard.

Fearing for her life, she reached behind her for anything she could to defend herself. In a moment of panic and desperation, she struck out, only realizing afterward that she had grabbed a knife. Butterworth managed to walk away before collapsing.

Moments later, O’Shaughnessy made a frantic 999 call, clearly distressed and hysterical. She told the operator that she had been attacked, feared for her life, and instinctively fought back.

When taken into custody, medical examinations documented red marks and abrasions on her neck, consistent with her account of being strangled. Despite this evidence, the court ultimately rejected her plea of self-defence.

New Evidence

O’Shaughnessy’s trial primarily focused on the single act of violence that led to Butterworth’s death, failing to adequately consider the years of abuse, coercive control, and sexual violence she had endured.

A psychiatrist who has since examined O’Shaughnessy has diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD. It is his opinion that she was likely suffering from these symptoms at the time of the incident. The report also document Amanda’s accounts of repeated rape by Butterworth, as well as his coercive and controlling behaviour—including isolating her from friends, dictating how she dressed, and degrading her with insults.

O’Shaughnessy’s voluminous social services records were obtained for the appeal and demonstrate the significant abuse O’Shaughnessy suffered as a child. Again, this was not explored during her trial.

The Appeal

With fresh psychiatric evidence now supporting the defence of loss of control, O’Shaughnessy’s legal team, Nora Talbi (EBR Attridge LLP Solicitors) and Annabel Timan (Doughty Street Chambers) —argue that her conviction is unsafe. They contend that had this evidence been fully considered at trial, it could have significantly altered the jury’s understanding of her actions that night.

O’Shaughnessy is among many women convicted of murder after years of domestic abuse, where the full context of their experiences was not adequately presented in court. Her case raises critical questions about how the criminal justice system treats survivors of domestic and sexual violence who act in self-defence.

Now, nearly a decade later, O’Shaughnessy has a chance for justice—and for her story to be heard in full.

Amanda’s appeal is supported by Justice for Women and Centre for Women’s Justice.

How You Can Help

Please join us in showing your solidarity and support for Amanda.

Meet us outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL on Tuesday 4th March 9.15 - 10am. The public gallery will be open for the hearing from 10.30am.