Manslaughter Hearing
Two men charged with the manslaughter of an Oxford University undergraduate will undergo a Directions Hearing later this week, to hear how their case will progress, writes Patrick Foster.
David Aitkenhead and Richard Wicks were involved in the building of the trebuchet that killed 19-year-old Wadham student Kostadin Yankov, known as Dino to his friends.
Dino was thrown nearly 100 feet by the trebuchet, and was supposed to land in a safety net "the size of a tennis court", but fell short, suffering severe spinal and leg injuries. He later died in Bristol's Frenchay hospital.
The biochemistry student had travelled to Middlemoor Waterpark in Somerset to experience the "human catapult". He was joined by around 20 other members of the Oxford Stunt Factory.
The OSF, a "dangerous and extreme sports club", has conducted stunts for television, film and advertising industries. Followng the controversy surrounding Dino's death, OSF were barred from having a stall at this year's Freshers' Fair.
The hearing begins on Friday 13th February at Bristol Crown Court.
12th Feb 2004