C4 viewers divided over Stacey Hyde's case in The Accused documentary: 'How did she get away with it?'
Stacey walked free from prison five years after being jailed for murderThe Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt has left viewers divided after learning Stacey Hyde stabbed her victim 17 times.
Stacey’s case played out in the Channel 4 documentary series last night and included a harrowing 999 call.
Then aged 17, Stacey could be heard screaming in terror as her friend Holly’s boyfriend, Vincent Francis, attacked her.
Holly could then be heard warning her friend: “No, Stacey put that down!”
Stacey stabbed Vincent with a knife 17 times and he died in hospital the following day. She was charged with murder and later jailed for life, with a minimum term of nine years.
The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt told of Stacey’s desperate plight to overturn her conviction.
But the reaction to Stacey’s story has left viewers of the documentary very much divided.
Viewers of The Accused divided over Stacey Hyde case
Stacey’s fight for freedom was successful. With the help of the charity Justice For Women and its legal team, it was proved Stacey – who always insisted she had acted in self defence – had undiagnosed ADHD at the time of the incident.
Her original conviction was quashed and Stacey was found not guilty of murder at a retrial, based on her diagnosis. It was said the psychiatric evidence supported a defence of diminished responsibility.
She was allowed to walk free from Winchester Crown Court immediately.
Sadly, viewers learned that Stacey struggled with life despite being given a fresh start. She spiralled into a drink and drug addiction and died eight years later. At an inquest it was ruled Stacey had died aged 32 from the eating disorder bulimia.
Viewers who watched The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt have since shared their thoughts online.
And the response has been very much divided.
’17 times times was ridiculous’
One viewer who saw the doc said: “I don’t know how she got off with it. 17 times she stabbed him, that’s not self defence. He was a violent man to his parent but come on, 17 times is ridiculous.”
Also questioning the number of stab wounds inflicted on Vincent, another added: “Why did she stab him 17 times? Stabbing him once can be classed as self defence but 17 times sounds like she just lost it?”
Little is known about Vincent, the man who was killed. However, former friends have since got in touch with TVGuide’s sister site, Entertainment Daily.
One told ED!: “The people who knew Vince knew what kind of person he was like. He was a lovely man and due to a previous car crash struggled to move, he couldn’t turn his head he would turn his whole body, Stacey deserved what she got and should never have been let go.”
Her friend added: “When we watched this last night, I have to say we were both so shocked that it was called self defence when he was stabbed from behind 17 times??? We are all vulnerable, have adhd and we still dont kill!! Very one sided!!”
Some have also questioned why the documentary failed to disclose any injuries Stacey may have suffered while Vincent was said to be attacking her.
‘Stacey Hyde was let down’
Others viewers, however, have expressed sympathy for Stacey and her story.
“Stacey was let down so badly, I watched this last night, my heart goes out to all of Stacey’s loved ones,” one viewer said.
Another added: “Watched this last night and I couldn’t understand how a jury found her guilty of murder. Did they hear a different tape of 999 call than me. I was glad she eventually got verdict overturned but how sad that she died shortly after.”
Someone else simply described the case as “so sad”.
If you missed The Accused: Beyond Reasonable Doubt you can catch up on Channel 4’s streaming service now.
You can also watch episode 1 of the series, which tells the real life story of Jason Moore. Jason is still serving a life sentence for a murder he says he did not commit.
This series definitely gets viewers thinking.
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