Piers Carl Brazier has been found not guilty of murdering Scott Edward Cooper in the bedroom of a flat in Ryde last January.
The 38-year-old has continued to deny the charge against him throughout 2 lengthy trials, accusing another local man of actually committing the murder.
Those pleas of innocence and the defence’s case led to the jury returning a not guilty verdict this morning (Thursday), concluding that they cannot be sure beyond reasonable doubt that Piers Brazier killed 33-year-old Scott Cooper on the night of 3rd January 2021.
The original trial was held back in June but the jury failed to reach a verdict. As a result, a re-trial began at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 7th December where, a month later, Brazier has now been cleared of murder – the first murder case to be heard on the Isle of Wight in at least 30 years.
It comes just 12 months and 2 days after the death took place.
Scott was stabbed multiple times in the face and neck sometime between 23:04 on 3rd January and 00:50 on 4th January. Scott’s body was then found slumped upside down in the bathroom of Brazier’s flat – Flat 3, 74 George Street in Ryde – around 12 hours later.
The jury has over the past few weeks heard shocking details from prosecutors, including that Scott died after bleeding out on the bedroom floor having been stabbed multiple times and putting up no defence. His lifeless body was then dragged through the flat and dumped into the shower cubicle.
Forensic investigators spent a staggering 11 days at the flat in a bid to piece together the events that led to Scott’s death.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Edwards has said:
“Officers worked tirelessly to bring this investigation before the courts.
“We are disappointed by today’s verdict however we must respect the jury’s decision.
“We hope that the public remain reassured that we will always do everything in our power to investigate incidents such as these thoroughly, to support the families of victims, and to protect the wider public.
Article continues below this advertisement “Our thoughts remain with Scott’s family and friends.”
As part of Operatrion Amaryllis, a number of other people were arrested and investigated on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to murder. A number of properties in Ryde, Binstead and Newport were searched too. However, no charges have ever been brought against anyone other than Piers Brazier, who has now been found not guilty.
Piers knows deep down, whether he actually did this or not and if he did, he will have to live with it for the rest of his life, as well as worrying about evidence turning up at some point in the future.
Not one of them that were in that flat will escape the mental and emotional consequences of that night, that they have bestowed upon theirselves.
being the only person who knows the truth about something, is often a heavy burden to carry, which gets heavier by the day, until you tell someone.
More drugs to block the memorys out.his gf wil sort it.
Nice sentiments but you are assuming these people have a conscience or remotely care about their actions which, sadly, I doubt they do. RIP Scott and best wishes to family and friends.
Well put if I may say so Bansko. I was just about to make the same point when I saw your post.
More amateur police will be along soon..
Well He didn’t kill himself. Someone is accountable. Not enough evidence. After 11 days. So many questions.
Too many lies!! swept away under the carpet.poor scott,over 40 pound or somthing stupid! what a waste of a life.He was a lovley man. Mixing drugs an no sleep THIS is the out come.Looneys on the streets of ryde.and a unsolved murder, i feel for scotts family.still no closure!! AND murders on our streets
From previous island echo articles of him being prosecuted for assaulting ambulance staff, Scott seemed like a top bloke.
What a joke and all the people found guilty of cannabis while real dangerous criminals walk you’re all disgusting.
Everyone involved was guilty one way or another. They may not see a prison cell but Islanders know who they are and what they did. Scum of society.
The jury should hang their heads in shame
Normally i would disagree.
BUT someone has to be held to account, and the victim was found on HIS property.
End of. (imo)
The jury can only give a verdict on the evidence they are presented with.
The police obviously didn’t provide enough evidence for a beyond reasonable doubt guilty verdict.
The jury aren’t responsible for old bill being shit at their job.
Is this the same “Piers” that is ex-French Foreign Legion ?
The Police and justice system IS A JOKE!
This is absolutely VILE, what about all these people that get nicked for a bit of weed, large or small, or anything else you can think of that isn’t WORSE THAN RAPE OR MURDER?! SOMEONE MURDERED SOMEONE, first they let everyone off APART FROM Piers and now they can’t even find him guilty?!? I know what happened now, the kid must have murdered himself and took his own dead body to the shower. Good job detectives! Bravo! Another outstanding job by our wonderful Police and justice system. God I love this country!
The Police should be investigated for negligence immediately.
Seriously, you need to be very careful about what you’re writing here in a public forum – ‘they can’t even find him guilty?’
It sounds very much like you’re accusing someone of murder. That would be ok if he’d been found guilty but he’s innocent as decided by a Court of Law.
If I was the person you’re accusing, I’d be taking legal advice about getting you tracked down and charged with libel at the very least.
The Echo also needs to have a serious think about letting people write comments like this as they can be held liable for allowing it to be published.
I know you probably think you’re anonymous, but no-one is these days. Please, think about what you’re writing.
There is a thing in the democratic country you are lucky enough to live in called freedom of speech.
No the jury found him not guilty, not the “court of law”. Plus I’d like to mention that the court of law is not infallible, it is made up of human beings to which we are all fallible so to suggest that we must all like what the courts say based on some pretense that they represent the greater good and every “judgement” is absolutely incorruptible is preposterous. I mean just the other day as reported by the echo a rapist got 4 years, are you saying I am supposed to accept this because the court of law says so?
after following the original trial I’m not surprised, maybe some readers aghast at this verdict should read the last court proceedings transcript, it was shocking…he appeared to have been fitted up as a patsy.
Where can u read the court proceedings?
So glad found not guilty. It was obvious from start that others had to be involved( unless Piers is world’s strongest man ) especially a certain group of men not from UK as mentioned in County Press. It was all a set up. What’s happening about police not responding in first place?. Was police involved maybe?. Lot’s of questions but clear alot on this Island know what happened,but too frightened to come forward. The scum that did it will now use bullying to get others to do as they want. Unless maybe some vigilanty group takes them on or police have witness or new evidence.
As long as it’s scum killing scum,who cares.
God’s sakes– this is bad enough
It is a well known fact that Island juries rarely find a defendant guilty. This trial should have taken place at Winchester Crown Court.