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Thomas Orchard: Police custody death trial halted | Thomas Orchard: Police custody death trial halted |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The trial of three police staff accused of killing a man in custody has been halted for legal reasons. | The trial of three police staff accused of killing a man in custody has been halted for legal reasons. |
Thomas Orchard, 32, had schizophrenia and died in October 2012 after being arrested in Exeter. | Thomas Orchard, 32, had schizophrenia and died in October 2012 after being arrested in Exeter. |
Custody sergeant Jan Kingshott, 44, and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, 38, and Michael Marsden, 55 were on trial for manslaughter. | Custody sergeant Jan Kingshott, 44, and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, 38, and Michael Marsden, 55 were on trial for manslaughter. |
The judge at Bristol Crown Court told the jury the 11-week trial "cannot continue". | The judge at Bristol Crown Court told the jury the 11-week trial "cannot continue". |
Mr Orchard suffered a heart attack at Heavitree Road Police Station and died later in hospital. | |
The judge, Mr Justice King, told the jury of seven men and four women: "I have decided this trial cannot continue. | |
"I appreciate this may be a disappointment to you given the number of weeks you have sat. | |
"Given there may be a re-trial we cannot say anymore." | |
Julian Evans, for the Crown, told the court it was the intention for there to be a re-trial. | |
IPCC | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would wait for a decision regarding a retrial before dealing with "disciplinary matters". | |
Tom Milsom, associate commissioner of the IPCC, added: "I appreciate the trial has been a difficult experience for everybody involved, in particular Mr Orchard's family who have listened with dignity and strength to painful details about his tragic and untimely death. | |
"The IPCC carried out a thorough investigation which led to the Crown Prosecution Service conducting these prosecutions." |
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