Computer cleared of taking selfies at teen's death scene

A former police officer, Ryan Connolly, has been cleared of misconduct after taking selfies at the scene of a teenage fatality. The jury concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge him, though Connolly will face sentencing for possessing extreme pornographic material. The case highlights ongoing concerns over police conduct.

Ryan Connolly, a former police officer aged 41, has been officially cleared of misconduct in a public office following an incident in which he took selfies at the scene of a teenage fatality. The verdict was delivered after the jury was discharged midway through proceedings at Manchester Crown Court.

Trial Overview and Outcome

Judge Nicholas Dean KC confirmed that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to establish Connolly's misconduct. Consequently, Connolly was acquitted of all four charges relating to his conduct at the scene. Despite this, Connolly, originally from Huyton, Merseyside, is set to return to Manchester Crown Court to face sentencing for possession of extreme pornographic material, for which he has previously admitted three counts.

Details of the Incident

The case concerned the death of 16-year-old Daniel Gee Jamieson, who suffered a fatal stabbing in Liverpool in 2018. During the trial, it was disclosed that Connolly took three selfies while guarding the location where Jamieson was killed. Additionally, investigators found over 50 photographs stored on Connolly's personal phone. These images included photos of vulnerable individuals in hospitals, pictures of police systems, and images of colleagues. The photographs were located in the “sent” folder of Connolly’s WhatsApp account following his February 2020 arrest.

Prosecution Arguments

Prosecutor Peter Wilson argued that Connolly had “wilfully misconducted himself by taking inappropriate photographs without any professional necessity.” The prosecution emphasized that Connolly retained and sent the images, raising concerns regarding the misuse of his official position. Evidence indicated that aside from one photograph sent to a supervising officer, there was no proof of recipients for the other images.

Defense Position and Court Findings

Connolly stated during the trial that the photos were taken for professional purposes. However, the court was informed that the images were never uploaded to official police systems. Judge Dean concluded that the Crown Prosecution Service failed to demonstrate serious misconduct. He stated: “The evidence is incapable of demonstrating serious misconduct, so the jury could not reach a conclusion that Mr Connolly was guilty of misconduct in a public office.” The judge directed that “not guilty” verdicts be entered on the fifth day of the trial. The prosecution has until Monday to determine whether to appeal the decision.

Additional Consequences and Findings

Ryan Connolly was formally dismissed from Merseyside Police in 2021, with the force describing his conduct as “deplorable.” A subsequent misconduct hearing revealed further disturbing material on Connolly’s phone, including images of a racist, homophobic, and derogatory nature aimed at disabled individuals. Messages also indicated social interactions with a known criminal.

Public and Media Attention

The case attracted widespread coverage in local and national media, raising questions about police professionalism and oversight. Reporting highlighted the combination of criminal misconduct and inappropriate personal behavior by a former officer. The jury was informed of Connolly’s selfies and other unauthorized photographs during the proceedings. The trial also addressed issues relating to workplace ethics and police accountability.

Next Steps

Daniel Gee Jamieson died from a single stab wound. Updates on Connolly’s sentencing for possession of extreme pornographic material will follow upon his return to Manchester Crown Court. The case continues to draw attention to standards of conduct within law enforcement.

Sources:

• Ex‑policeman who took selfies at scene of teenager’s death cleared of misconduct | ITV News
• PC who took selfies at teen's death scene cleared | NZ Yahoo News
• PC who took selfies at teen's death scene cleared | AOL
• PC who took selfies at teen's death scene cleared

Author: Olivia Parker
Olivia Parker is a journalist and editor with over 8 years in media. She focuses on culture, arts, and social issues, skilled in feature writing and critical reviews.