Fordrough pub murder: CCTV footage could be vital

Mar 24 2009 by Edward Chadwick, Birmingham Mail

CCTV tapes seized from the pub where doting dad Tracy McConnell was beaten to death could help to catch his killers, murder squad detectives believe.

They are trawling through the footage to try to piece together the fight which left the 46-year-old father-of-two dead.

He was acting as a peacemaker as between 15 and 20 people traded blows during a violent clash outside the Fordrough pub in West Heath on Friday. Mr McConnell leaves two daughters, aged just eight and four, and a wife, Sharon.

Det Insp Richard Mayhew said that crowds who had gathered outside the pub as the brawl erupted could have vital evidence.

Five men have been arrested in connection with the murder and released on bail.

But Det Insp Mayhew said it was still crucial that witnesses came forward.

“We are examining CCTV footage very closely and one thing which is clear is that there were a lot more people present than we have taken statements from,” he said.