Talbot Green, Wales — A man on trial for the killing of a woman shot dead at a flat claims he was unaware of a firearm until shortly after the incident. Joanne Penney, 40, was fatally wounded on March 9 when she opened the door to her home at Llys Illtyd, an event that reportedly stems from ongoing conflicts between rival drug gangs.
Appearing before a Cardiff Crown Court jury, Jordan Mills-Smith said he realized something was amiss only when he heard a gunshot. Mills-Smith, alongside four other defendants, is accused of involvement in Penney’s murder but denies the charges. The group from Leicester includes Joshua Gordon, 27, and Tony Porter, 69, both of whom also face murder allegations. Their co-defendants, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40, and Kristina Ginova, 21, deny participating in organized crime activities. In contrast, Marcus Huntley, 21, from St Mellons, Cardiff, has admitted to murder, with forensic evidence linking him to the weapon.
During the trial, Mills-Smith, 33, described having previously been involved in drug sales but stated that he had distanced himself from these activities prior to Penney’s death. He noted sharing his home with Huntley, who frequented the property. On March 7, just two days before the shooting, Mills-Smith claimed he discovered a gun while cleaning and told Huntley to remove it, stating it was the last conversation he had regarding the weapon.
On the day of the shooting, Mills-Smith went to play football, leaving three individuals in the house. Upon his return, he found a group congregating in the kitchen, where Huntley allegedly discussed a plan involving theft. Mills-Smith maintained that there were no conversations about weapons or violence in the lead-up to the incident.
The jury learned that Mills-Smith drove to Talbot Green, accompanied by Porter, Huntley, Quailey-Dashper, and Gordon. He described a lighthearted atmosphere during the drive, with no dialogues about criminal actions. Upon arrival, Mills-Smith positioned himself as a lookout while Quailey-Dashper approached the door. He reported hearing the door open followed by a loud bang, prompting him to flee the scene. Noting his confusion, he claimed to have seen Huntley discreetly stowing something in his trousers as they escaped.
That evening, Mills-Smith received news via text that someone had died as a result of the gunfire. He reiterated to the court that he did not know Penney and expressed no intent to harm her, stating, “No one should die, not like that.” He emphasized his accountability for his actions, yet insisted he could not speak to the intentions of others involved.
As evidence presented to the court included photographs of the gun Mills-Smith previously encountered, the trial continues as jurors piece together the chilling events surrounding Joanne Penney’s death and the broader implications of gang-related violence.