The brutal killing of Neil Tulley by his two stepsons, Joshua and Jerome Ellis, in 2013, has been revisited in a Channel 4 television program. The series, "The Jury: 14 And On Trial For Murder," recreates real court cases for a panel of jurors to deliberate. This season, the program focuses on the case of the Ellis brothers, who were aged 23 and 14 respectively when they attacked Tulley, their mother's partner, with kitchen knives.
The fatal assault occurred at the family home in Guildford, Surrey, where Tulley was stabbed more than 60 times. The brothers were arrested shortly after the incident and admitted to carrying out the killing. However, they claimed they acted out of desperation and a "loss of control" due to years of alleged neglect and abuse, including Tulley's violent behavior towards their mother, Marie.
A Troubled Home Environment
The prosecution characterized the murder as a calculated act of revenge, while the defense argued for manslaughter based on loss of control. Evidence presented during the trial detailed a deeply dysfunctional family life. Jerome Ellis testified that Tulley had previously threatened Joshua with an axe and that the family felt endangered by his frequent drunken and abusive behavior.
Teachers had noted Jerome's apparent hunger and role as a carer for his mother and siblings, while Joshua was reportedly suffering from depression. In the months leading up to the killing, tensions escalated within the household.
On the night of the attack, Jerome testified that Joshua told him Tulley had threatened to retrieve an axe. Jerome had previously disabled the shed lock out of concern for the axe's presence, only to find it had been returned to Tulley. Jerome stated that he and Joshua decided they "had to get him" because he posed a threat to the family.
Confessions and Court Verdicts
The brothers took two kitchen knives and attacked Tulley. After the killing, they fled to a forest and later surrendered to police. Joshua told a bell ringer, "We're murderers," and asked him to call the authorities. They led police to the discarded knives.
During his testimony, Jerome described the events as a blur, but the prosecution suggested he was angry and seeking revenge. He maintained that police intervention had failed in the past, making their actions seem like the only option for protecting his family.
Ultimately, a jury convicted Joshua of murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years. Jerome was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter, receiving a six-year sentence. The judge noted the unusual nature of the case and expressed hope for Jerome's rehabilitation.
Jerome served three years before his release on probation in 2017 and is reportedly living under a new identity. The Channel 4 program's jury reached a verdict of guilty of manslaughter on the basis of loss of control for the younger brother, but failed to reach a unanimous decision on the older brother's guilt.
The case had previously inspired the 2019 BBC dramatization "Responsible Child." The involvement of real cases in "The Jury" series has drawn criticism from some families affected by the crimes depicted, who have expressed a desire to move on from past tragedies.