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Double murder accused Leo Barnes found dead in prison cell | Double murder accused Leo Barnes found dead in prison cell |
(12 minutes later) | |
A man who was on trial for the murder of two pensioners has been found dead in his prison cell. | A man who was on trial for the murder of two pensioners has been found dead in his prison cell. |
Leo Barnes was accused of murdering Cynthia Beamond, 80, from Halesowen, and Philip Silverstone, 67, of London, on consecutive days in June last year. | Leo Barnes was accused of murdering Cynthia Beamond, 80, from Halesowen, and Philip Silverstone, 67, of London, on consecutive days in June last year. |
The 33-year-old, who denied murder, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch on Sunday, West Midlands Police said. | The 33-year-old, who denied murder, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch on Sunday, West Midlands Police said. |
The Ministry of Justice said he was being monitored for self harm. | The Ministry of Justice said he was being monitored for self harm. |
Mr Barnes' trial started at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Monday. | Mr Barnes' trial started at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Monday. |
'Knew victims' | 'Knew victims' |
He was due to be cross-examined by prosecutors on Friday but did not appear in court after complaining of feeling ill. | He was due to be cross-examined by prosecutors on Friday but did not appear in court after complaining of feeling ill. |
In a statement, a police spokesman said "Mr Barnes was found hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch. | In a statement, a police spokesman said "Mr Barnes was found hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch. |
"As is standard protocol with all prison fatalities, an investigation into his death will take place but it is not deemed to be suspicious." | "As is standard protocol with all prison fatalities, an investigation into his death will take place but it is not deemed to be suspicious." |
Jurors had been told Mr Barnes knew his victims and was in their home when they were attacked, but he claimed someone else carried out the killings. | Jurors had been told Mr Barnes knew his victims and was in their home when they were attacked, but he claimed someone else carried out the killings. |
Mrs Beamond's daughter, Beverley Hadley, said of Mr Barnes' death: "We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime." | Mrs Beamond's daughter, Beverley Hadley, said of Mr Barnes' death: "We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime." |
'Own life sentence' | 'Own life sentence' |
She said her life changed forever after her mother's death and every day was "painful and empty". | She said her life changed forever after her mother's death and every day was "painful and empty". |
"We have been deprived of those valuable final years of mum's life and those precious moments with her to say our final goodbyes," she said. | "We have been deprived of those valuable final years of mum's life and those precious moments with her to say our final goodbyes," she said. |
"She is missed by everyone who knew her and her loss has left a huge void. Our lives have been devastated and changed forever. As a family we are now suffering our own life sentence." | "She is missed by everyone who knew her and her loss has left a huge void. Our lives have been devastated and changed forever. As a family we are now suffering our own life sentence." |
Mr Barnes was also accused of stealing property, including a television, from the home of Mrs Beamond. | Mr Barnes was also accused of stealing property, including a television, from the home of Mrs Beamond. |
A post-mortem examination showed she died from head injuries. | A post-mortem examination showed she died from head injuries. |
After the death of Mrs Beamond, Mr Barnes was said to have driven to London, arriving at Mr Silverstone's flat in Belsize Park at about 23:00 BST. | After the death of Mrs Beamond, Mr Barnes was said to have driven to London, arriving at Mr Silverstone's flat in Belsize Park at about 23:00 BST. |
Mr Silverstone died of head injuries, the court heard. | Mr Silverstone died of head injuries, the court heard. |
Det Insp Caroline Corfield, who led the murder inquiry, said officers had been in touch with Mr Barnes' next of kin following his death. | Det Insp Caroline Corfield, who led the murder inquiry, said officers had been in touch with Mr Barnes' next of kin following his death. |
A spokesman for Prison Service spokesman said: "HMP Hewell prisoner Leo Barnes was found unresponsive in his cell at about 06:05am on Sunday 25 January 2015. | A spokesman for Prison Service spokesman said: "HMP Hewell prisoner Leo Barnes was found unresponsive in his cell at about 06:05am on Sunday 25 January 2015. |
"Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. | "Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. |
"As with all deaths in custody, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation." | "As with all deaths in custody, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation." |
Earlier, the jury was discharged by Mr Justice Haddon-Cave. | |
"I know this will have been a testing and distressing case for you," he said. | |
The judge paid tribute to the family and friends of Mrs Beamond and Mr Silverstone for their "quiet dignity" throughout the proceedings. |