The trial of a wealthy British heir opened this week at Cardiff Crown Court, Wales. Dylan Thomas, 24, is accused of killing his best friend William Bush, 23, on December 24, 2023. The young man, heir to a fortune of 258 million francs, appeared by videoconference from the psychiatric hospital where he is currently being treated. He is the grandson of Sir Stanley Thomas, the former co-owner of Peter’s Savory Products.
The accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but denies committing murder, according to the BBC. William Bush was living with Dylan Thomas, but was preparing to leave the house to move in with his girlfriend. The victim was “someone quiet and passive, who avoided conflicts,” explained prosecutor Greg Bull. Dylan was a lone wolf, who only had Will as a friend. On December 23, Dylan went to his grandmother’s house in Rhoose, while his friend spent the evening with his girlfriend, Ella. William was then due to spend Christmas with his family in Brecon.
Shortly after midnight on December 24, the wealthy heir searched for “neck anatomy” on the internet, then wrote to his friend to tell him he wanted to see him before the holidays, explains “The Independent”. His grandmother brought him home early that morning, the young man having pretended to want to walk the dog. The retiree was waiting in the car when Dylan took action. Armed with several knives, the heir hit his friend in the neck for the first time.
The unfortunate man tried to flee, but “Dylan Thomas used a kitchen knife to stab William Bush in the chest and cut his throat,” the prosecutor described in court. The victim was stabbed 37 times, his ordeal lasting seven minutes. After the massacre, the young man banged on the window of his grandmother’s car, who tried to resuscitate William. Dylan called the police, accusing his friend of stabbing him. During his interrogation, the Briton assured that he had acted in self-defense, adding that his friend was having “a seizure”.
The prosecutor admitted the fact that the accused was “mentally unstable” and that he had already suffered from psychosis before this tragedy. Dylan was committed to a psychiatric hospital, where he is being treated for schizophrenia. The prosecution, however, claims that the young man’s action was premeditated: during the two months preceding his death, William barricaded himself in his room when sleeping, Dylan having made death threats against him. The victim had also expressed his concerns to his girlfriend. The trial continues.
