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EDITIONS
Friday, 28 June, 2002, 17:46 GMT 18:46 UK
Village divided over verdict
Clydach
The close-knit community was devastated by the murderers
The community at the centre of the massacre scene of four members of the same family have expressed relief the trial of scrap yard dealer David Morris is finally over.

But it is not a village united by tragedy - divisions remained on Friday over whether or not the guilty verdict was just.

Memorial to Mandy Power, her daughters Katie and Emily and their grandmother Doris Dawson
The memorial is a stark reminder of the family massacre

The 40-year-old was well known in the busy village on the outskirts of Swansea and his violent reputation has silenced many who are still too scared to speak out about the case.

However, despite the reluctance to be identified, in the pubs and on the streets the trial has dominated conversations.

Arguments in shops and pubs over the four life sentences given to Morris suggested the Clydach tragedy was far from over.

One shop owner said: "Over the last three months there has been lots of talk about the trial.


I am happy with what has happened today but I feel that he will appeal and get off

David Wassell from Clydach

"Today's verdict has not come as a complete surprise but many people feel that only half the story has come out.

"The feeling is that David Morris was not capable of doing this own I don't think this will be the end of the matter."

In a pub in the centre of the village emotions ran high as the days events were discussed.

Tempers flared when suggestions were made that David Morris had been set up as a scapegoat.

Some people were relieved to hear the trial had ended but others felt it was the start of a new chapter in the Clydach murder case and the truth would never fully emerge.

9, Kelvin Road
Friends placed flowers outside the house in Kelvin Road on Friday

David Wassell, 37, said: "I am happy with what has happened today but I feel that he will appeal and get off.

"I was in school with Mandy a lot of people knew the family and liked them.

"I think this is the right verdict but there is a lot more to go with it."

David Thomas, 48, said: "David Morris was quite capable but I don't think he could have done it himself.

"I don't think he had the intelligence to clean up after himself as he did."

Immediately after the verdict fresh flowers were placed at the memorial to the murdered family reminding everyone in the village of the brutal tragedy at the centre of the case.


In DepthIN DEPTH
Full coverage of death Clydach caseClydach trial
Full coverage of family massacre


Clydach special online


Where I Live, South West Wales
Links to more Wales stories are at the foot of the page.


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