Student who stabbed housemate 30 times admits murder
Zack Coughlan, a 23-year-old robotics student, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his housemate, Jamie Collins. The attack was captured on CCTV, and Coughlan initially attempted to claim he acted in self-defense before changing his plea.
Why it matters
The case highlights a tragic instance of domestic violence between students and the legal process surrounding murder trials.
Image source, Family photo Image caption, Jamie Collins, 21, was ambushed and killed after returning home from university
A student who stabbed his housemate more than 30 times in a masked ambush has changed his murder plea to guilty.
Zack Coughlan, 23, attacked Jamie Collins, 21, in an alleyway near the garden of their home on 8 April and then left his body outside for eight hours before calling police.
A murder trial had been under way at Bristol Crown Court because Coughlan initially denied the charge, although he did admit killing Collins. He told jurors he stabbed Collins because he feared his housemate would kill him .
However, Coughlan has now changed his plea to guilty and will be sentenced for murder on Wednesday.
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