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16/12/2003
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.
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.
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.
Mr Huntley has admitted that he was responsible for the death Jessica Chapman. He told the court that Jessica died after he placed a hand over the girl's mouth to stop her from screaming.
In his testimony, Mr Huntley said that Holly had drowned after accidentally falling into the bath and banging her head.
He further admitted to burning the girls' bodies in a ditch and disposing of their clothes. However, Mr Justice Moses told the jury such an admission was not evidence of murder.
Ms Carr has admitted to making misleading statements to police but only to protect her "very controlling" boyfriend. However, she denies helping her former boyfriend in the full knowledge that the deaths had occurred in the house they shared together.
(gmcg)
The jury has now spent 17 hours considering their verdict since Mr Justice Alan Moses closed his summing up on Friday morning.
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.
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.
Mr Huntley has admitted that he was responsible for the death Jessica Chapman. He told the court that Jessica died after he placed a hand over the girl's mouth to stop her from screaming.
In his testimony, Mr Huntley said that Holly had drowned after accidentally falling into the bath and banging her head.
He further admitted to burning the girls' bodies in a ditch and disposing of their clothes. However, Mr Justice Moses told the jury such an admission was not evidence of murder.
Ms Carr has admitted to making misleading statements to police but only to protect her "very controlling" boyfriend. However, she denies helping her former boyfriend in the full knowledge that the deaths had occurred in the house they shared together.
(gmcg)
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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".
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.
15 December 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.
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.
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.
26 November 2003
Huntley was charged with rape in 1998, court hears
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, had been charged with the rape a girl five years ago, the Old Bailey has been told today.
Huntley was charged with rape in 1998, court hears
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, had been charged with the rape a girl five years ago, the Old Bailey has been told today.
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