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15/12/2003
Soham jury returns to consider verdict
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls have returned to court today to consider their verdict.
The jury spent five hours deliberating on Friday afternoon after Mr Justice Alan Moses closed the summing up.
Before dismissing the jury, Mr Justice Moses directed them to decide upon the evidence presented and not to be ruled by emotions, the intense media coverage or be overawed by the gravity of the trial. He also told the jury that they must return a unanimous verdict.
"Unless you are all agreed, there are no verdicts at all," he said.
Ian Huntley, 29, denies murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on August 4 last year. He has admitted one charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Maxine Carr, 26, Mr Huntley's former girlfriend, denies a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and two charges of assisting an offender.
In his closing arguments on Wednesday, Mr Huntley's defence counsel, Stephen Coward QC, told the jury that there was evidence to show that the defendant had committed an act of manslaughter, but that there was no evidence to show that he had murdered either of the girls.
In his testimony, Mr Huntley claimed that he invited Holly Wells into the house after she suffered a nosebleed. Holly then drowned in the bath after accidentally falling in, he said. Mr Huntley also stated that he had placed a hand over the mouth of Jessica Chapman when she became hysterical and, when he removed it, she was dead.
Mr Huntley also admitted disposing of the girls' clothes and setting fire to their bodies at a ditch in Lakenheath, 13 miles away from Soham. However, Mr Justice Moses told the jury today that such an admission was not evidence of murder.
The judge also said that, while Ms Carr had admitted making misleading statements to police, if they believed that she had done so in the knowledge that her then boyfriend had killed, they should return a verdict of guilty to assisting an offender.
(gmcg)
The jury spent five hours deliberating on Friday afternoon after Mr Justice Alan Moses closed the summing up.
Before dismissing the jury, Mr Justice Moses directed them to decide upon the evidence presented and not to be ruled by emotions, the intense media coverage or be overawed by the gravity of the trial. He also told the jury that they must return a unanimous verdict.
"Unless you are all agreed, there are no verdicts at all," he said.
Ian Huntley, 29, denies murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on August 4 last year. He has admitted one charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Maxine Carr, 26, Mr Huntley's former girlfriend, denies a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and two charges of assisting an offender.
In his closing arguments on Wednesday, Mr Huntley's defence counsel, Stephen Coward QC, told the jury that there was evidence to show that the defendant had committed an act of manslaughter, but that there was no evidence to show that he had murdered either of the girls.
In his testimony, Mr Huntley claimed that he invited Holly Wells into the house after she suffered a nosebleed. Holly then drowned in the bath after accidentally falling in, he said. Mr Huntley also stated that he had placed a hand over the mouth of Jessica Chapman when she became hysterical and, when he removed it, she was dead.
Mr Huntley also admitted disposing of the girls' clothes and setting fire to their bodies at a ditch in Lakenheath, 13 miles away from Soham. However, Mr Justice Moses told the jury today that such an admission was not evidence of murder.
The judge also said that, while Ms Carr had admitted making misleading statements to police, if they believed that she had done so in the knowledge that her then boyfriend had killed, they should return a verdict of guilty to assisting an offender.
(gmcg)
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16 December 2003
Soham murder jury sent home for third day
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls has been sent home today after their third day of deliberations. The jury has now spent 17 hours considering their verdict since Mr Justice Alan Moses closed his summing up on Friday morning.
Soham murder jury sent home for third day
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls has been sent home today after their third day of deliberations. The jury has now spent 17 hours considering their verdict since Mr Justice Alan Moses closed his summing up on Friday morning.
11 December 2003
Judge instructs Soham trial jury to be objective
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls has retired today to consider their verdicts.
Judge instructs Soham trial jury to be objective
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls has retired today to consider their verdicts.
10 January 2011
Jury Duty Opened To Senior Citizens
People over the age of 65 will be eligible to take part in jury service from tomorrow as key changes to modernise Scots law come into force. Since 1980, an upper age limit for jury duty has been imposed in Scotland which has prohibited those over the age of 65 from serving.
Jury Duty Opened To Senior Citizens
People over the age of 65 will be eligible to take part in jury service from tomorrow as key changes to modernise Scots law come into force. Since 1980, an upper age limit for jury duty has been imposed in Scotland which has prohibited those over the age of 65 from serving.
10 December 2003
Huntley a 'capable and convincing liar', jury told
The prosecution in the Soham murder trial began closing arguments at the Old Bailey today after two days of adjournments following an illness of one of the 12-member jury. The court was told today that Ian Huntley was a "capable and convincing liar" and that the motivation for murder was linked to "something sexual".
Huntley a 'capable and convincing liar', jury told
The prosecution in the Soham murder trial began closing arguments at the Old Bailey today after two days of adjournments following an illness of one of the 12-member jury. The court was told today that Ian Huntley was a "capable and convincing liar" and that the motivation for murder was linked to "something sexual".
17 December 2003
Child killer Huntley handed down two life sentences
Ian Huntley has been handed down two life sentences for the murder of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Maxine Carr, Huntley's former girlfriend, was sentenced to three and a half years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. She was found not guilty on two charges of assisting an offender.
Child killer Huntley handed down two life sentences
Ian Huntley has been handed down two life sentences for the murder of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Maxine Carr, Huntley's former girlfriend, was sentenced to three and a half years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. She was found not guilty on two charges of assisting an offender.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
