The Jury: Murder Trial TV show was based on Norfolk killing

The show, The Jury: Murder Trial, involved two juries hearing exactly the same evidence to see if they would reach the same verdict.

It involved actors using the original transcripts of a real case, to allow both juries to hear exactly the same details.Police outside the couple's house in Arminghall in 2012 following the killing (Image: Newsquest)

Now it has emerged the case retried before two TV juries was an actual Norfolk one that saw a metalwork sculptor stand trial accused of murdering his wife with an industrial hammer.

The TV defendant ‘John Risedale’ is actually a man named Thomas Crompton and his wife Angela Phillips was attacked at the home they shared — not in Essex, as depicted on screen, but in Arminghall, near Norwich.

READ MORE: Arminghall man jailed for manslaughter over killing of wife

The mother-of-three died from her injuries two days later after being throttled then repeatedly hit to the head as she lay slumped on the floor following a row.

Angela Phillips died after she was struck with a hammer several times (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The programme showed the TV jurors faced the same dilemma as the 12 people who deliberated over the real life case at Norwich Crown Court in 2012 - whether it was a ‘loss of control’, a defence meaning he should be cleared of murder and found guilty of manslaughter?

Did jury system let down victim?

As in real life, the television trial saw the defence case place emphasis on Angela’s background — her troubled life, her former relationships, her ‘demons’, as it was put.

Crompton's defence counsel Karim Khalil, in words delivered by an actor in the TV programme, said that the relationship between the couple was one which was “destined to failure” and said that Angela had an “unstable character”.

The real trial from Norwich Crown Court was re-enacted in its entirety by actors (Image: Channel 4)

Crompton never denied killing his wife. He told police when they arrived at the scene that he had “just snapped”.

READ MORE: Husband 'very calm' after killing his wife Angela

The original jury at Norwich Crown Court clearly accepted the father-of-two’s defence, finding him guilty of manslaughter.

He was jailed for seven and a half years and told he would serve a minimum of three years nine months in prison.

Sculptor Tom Crompton was found guilty of manslaughter over the death of his wife (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Following the verdict Angela’s family released a dignified statement stating: “We are deeply disappointed with the manslaughter verdict in this case.

“During the court case it felt that Angela herself was on trial, and in many ways that has been the hardest part for us. We feel Angela and her family have been let down in this case by the justice system.”

Angela’s brother Michael Hulme, who was forewarned of the Channel 4 series, reiterated those feelings.

“It’s fair to say that the family’s opinions haven’t changed,” he said.

One trial, two jurors - but different verdicts

In the programme, which was screened over four consecutive nights, the two juries reach two different verdicts, one guilty of murder and one not guilty.

Experts watching the deliberations in the TV jury rooms - a process normally shrouded in secrecy - point out how strong characters and their own personal experiences sway the verdict discussions.

The TV show recreated the trial before two separate juries who each didn't know of the other (Image: Channel 4)Deliberations in the two jury rooms were shown on the TV show (Image: Channel 4)

Ed Kellie, creative director of the production company Screendog, said: “We wanted to be inside the jury room of a real and complex murder case – and to explore how a jury works and if jury verdicts really are as reliable as we are led to believe.”

READ MORE: 'Shocking' rise in violent crimes felt in every Norfolk village

Crompton, now aged 50, is now out of prison having served his sentence and is reportedly again working as a sculptor at a foundry near Halesworth, 20 miles from Arminghall.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Firm, who led the Norfolk investigation, said: “This was a complex, emotive and difficult case for all parties concerned and it demonstrates that violence is never the answer to any domestic argument. 

“The actions of Crompton have had widespread and devastating consequences for the children and family of Angela and Thomas.”

The Jury: Murder Trial is available to watch on 4OD