Jurors in the trial of six people jointly accused of murdering Carlisle man Lee McKnight have begun hearing the first barrister’s closing speech — and also been given lesser alternative charges to consider.
At the city’s crown court this morning, the evidence in a trial which is in its sixth week was formally completed as prosecutor Tim Cray QC read into the record 14 final facts which have been agreed by all counsel in the case.
Jurors have so far also heard from many witnesses, experts — including a Home Office pathologist and forensic scientists — have seen CCTV footage and maps, considered a wealth of mobile phone data logs and listened to evidence from four of the six defendants who went into the witness box.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, today told members of the jury they would consider alternative lesser charges in the case.
Jamie Davison, Arron Graham, Jamie Lee Roberts and his father Paul Roberts, Coral Edgar and her mother Carol Edgar, all deny murdering 26-year-old Mr McKnight.
Each now also faces charges alleging manslaughter and assisting an offender, the latter arising out of respective acts which are said to have occurred in the aftermath of violence at a Charles Street address on July 24 last year.
Mr McKnight’s badly-beaten body was found in the river Caldew just before 5.30am on that date having been transported there following an earlier attack.
In addition, all defendants apart from Paul Roberts face charges alleging that they caused Mr McKnight grievous bodily harm with intent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Addressing jurors, Mr Justice Hilliard said: “You decide what evidence is important. You decide what evidence matters. You decide what you make of the evidence and whether it is true, accurate and reliable or not.
“It is your view of the facts in the case that matters and only your view that matters.”
He added: “The prosecution bring the case against the defendants and it is for the prosecution to prove guilt so you are sure of it.
“The burden of proving guilty never shifts. It remains with the prosecution throughout.
“No defendant has to prove anything.”
Mr Cray has begun delivering his closing speech. After all barristers have completed their speeches, Mr Justice Hilliard will give further directions and sum up evidence in the case before the jury retires to consider verdicts.
“There is no pressure of time at all,” he said of impending deliberations which — it is estimated — will start some time next week.
