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Man who shot & stabbed MP Jo Cox yelled ‘Britain First,’ murder trial hears | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The man accused of murdering Labour MP Jo Cox in a terrorism-related attack a week before the EU referendum attended the first day of trial at the Old Bailey in London on Monday. | |
Thomas Mair, 53, is accused of shooting and stabbing the MP for Batley and Spen in Birstall, where she was due to hold constituency meetings. | Thomas Mair, 53, is accused of shooting and stabbing the MP for Batley and Spen in Birstall, where she was due to hold constituency meetings. |
On the opening day of trial, the prosecution told jurors Cox was “brutally murdered ... in what was a planned and pre-meditated murder for a political and/or ideological cause.” | |
Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC said: “As she arrived she was brutally murdered by one of her constituents, this defendant, Thomas Mair. | |
“It was a cowardly attack by a man armed with a firearm and a knife. | |
“Jo Cox was shot three times and suffered multiple stab wounds." | |
The court heard that in the run up to the murder, Mair searched the web for Nazi material, murdered Tory MP Ian Gow, and Remain-supporting MP and former foreign secretary William Hague. | |
During the course of the murder Thomas Mair was heard by a number of witnesses to say repeatedly ‘Britain First.’” | |
Mair has also been charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly attacking a 77-year-old man who tried to prevent the assault, and for possessing a firearm and a dagger. | Mair has also been charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly attacking a 77-year-old man who tried to prevent the assault, and for possessing a firearm and a dagger. |
Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two, was gunned down in broad daylight on June 16 outside Birstall Library at around 13:00 GMT. She was a supporter of the Remain campaign during the referendum and a defender of the rights of refugees. | Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two, was gunned down in broad daylight on June 16 outside Birstall Library at around 13:00 GMT. She was a supporter of the Remain campaign during the referendum and a defender of the rights of refugees. |
Some witnesses described hearing the attacker shout “Britain First” or “Put Britain first” as he carried out the murder. | Some witnesses described hearing the attacker shout “Britain First” or “Put Britain first” as he carried out the murder. |
Mair denies murder. The trial continues. | |
During his first court hearing, shortly after the attack, Mair gave his name as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain.” | During his first court hearing, shortly after the attack, Mair gave his name as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain.” |
At a hearing in October, the accused declined to enter a guilty or not guilty plea. | At a hearing in October, the accused declined to enter a guilty or not guilty plea. |
Mair allegedly has ties with right-wing extremism and has reportedly spent hundreds of dollars on literature published by the US neo-Nazi group National Alliance. | Mair allegedly has ties with right-wing extremism and has reportedly spent hundreds of dollars on literature published by the US neo-Nazi group National Alliance. |
Mair sent more than US$600 to the extremist group, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. | Mair sent more than US$600 to the extremist group, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. |
One 1999 receipt from the National Alliance’s publisher shows Mair purchased an ‘Improvised Munitions Handbook,’ as well as literature on ‘Chemistry of Powder & Explosives.’ | One 1999 receipt from the National Alliance’s publisher shows Mair purchased an ‘Improvised Munitions Handbook,’ as well as literature on ‘Chemistry of Powder & Explosives.’ |
The group advocates for a “white world” and “the establishment of white living space” on its website. | The group advocates for a “white world” and “the establishment of white living space” on its website. |
It has also been reported that Mair, a Birstall local, used mental health services in the area. | It has also been reported that Mair, a Birstall local, used mental health services in the area. |
Lawyers for the accused said during an earlier hearing that his alleged psychiatric issues would not feature in their arguments at trial. | Lawyers for the accused said during an earlier hearing that his alleged psychiatric issues would not feature in their arguments at trial. |
Labour’s Tracy Brabin was elected to Cox’s seat in Parliament last month in a by-election which saw only fringe right-wing parties field candidates. | Labour’s Tracy Brabin was elected to Cox’s seat in Parliament last month in a by-election which saw only fringe right-wing parties field candidates. |
Far-right groups such as the British National Party (BNP) contested the seat, arguing Cox was partly responsible for her death because she “helped” Muslims enter the UK. | Far-right groups such as the British National Party (BNP) contested the seat, arguing Cox was partly responsible for her death because she “helped” Muslims enter the UK. |
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