During their retrial at the Old Bailey, Constance Marten criticized her wealthy “biological family” in a dramatic cross-examination conducted by her partner and co-defendant Mark Gordon. Marten accused her family of prejudice and revealed that they had hired private detectives to monitor her activities. Gordon, who lacks legal training, was permitted to cross-examine Marten after submitting his questions for approval by the judge. He has chosen to represent himself in court and has dispensed with barristers for the trial.
Marten, 37, and Gordon, 50, are both pleading not guilty to charges of manslaughter by gross negligence in connection with the death of their child, Victoria. Victoria’s body was discovered in a shed in Brighton in March 2023. Additionally, they deny allegations of causing or allowing the death of a child. Social services have removed the couple’s four other children, and they were previously found guilty of concealing Victoria’s birth and providing false information to the authorities.
Under Gordon’s questioning in court, Marten disclosed the tumultuous relationship she had with her family, starting when she returned from Peru pregnant in 2017. The court learned that Marten felt targeted by her family after a series of suspicious incidents, including their car catching fire and the discovery of a GPS tracker on their vehicles. Marten also revealed that she and Gordon had been living in a tent in Wales before Victoria’s birth, with their other children already taken away by social services.
Regarding the circumstances surrounding Victoria’s death, Marten maintained that she never intended any harm to come to the baby. Prosecutors allege that Victoria died from hypothermia or smothering while sleeping in the tent. Marten recounted the events leading to Victoria’s death, emphasizing that the infant was healthy and well cared for. Despite facing intense questioning from the prosecutor, Marten held firm in her testimony, expressing frustration and fatigue with the judicial process. The trial is scheduled to reconvene next Tuesday for further proceedings
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