This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38077826
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Jo Cox murder trial: Jury retires to consider verdicts | Jo Cox murder trial: Jury retires to consider verdicts |
(35 minutes later) | |
An Old Bailey jury trying a man accused of murdering MP Jo Cox has begun considering its verdicts. | An Old Bailey jury trying a man accused of murdering MP Jo Cox has begun considering its verdicts. |
Thomas Mair, 53, is accused of shooting and stabbing the mother-of-two in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June, a week before the EU referendum vote. | Thomas Mair, 53, is accused of shooting and stabbing the mother-of-two in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June, a week before the EU referendum vote. |
Mr Mair - who denies murder - chose not to give any evidence in his defence. | Mr Mair - who denies murder - chose not to give any evidence in his defence. |
Jean and Gordon Leadbeater, Mrs Cox's parents, and her sister, Kim, were in court on Wednesday to hear the judge sum up before sending the jury out. | Jean and Gordon Leadbeater, Mrs Cox's parents, and her sister, Kim, were in court on Wednesday to hear the judge sum up before sending the jury out. |
Mrs Cox's husband, Brendan, and her assistant Fazila Aswat, who was with her when the attack took place, were also in court. | Mrs Cox's husband, Brendan, and her assistant Fazila Aswat, who was with her when the attack took place, were also in court. |
Mr Mair, from Birstall, also denies grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon - a dagger. | Mr Mair, from Birstall, also denies grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon - a dagger. |
In summing-up, Judge Mr Justice Wilkie said the cause of death had been given by a forensic pathologist as multiple stab and gunshot wounds. | In summing-up, Judge Mr Justice Wilkie said the cause of death had been given by a forensic pathologist as multiple stab and gunshot wounds. |
Evidence of gunshot injuries to both her hands indicated Mrs Cox had tried to protect her head, the judge added. | Evidence of gunshot injuries to both her hands indicated Mrs Cox had tried to protect her head, the judge added. |
He summarised the prosecution's closing speech which said internet research on Jo Cox and sawn-off rifles pointed to Mr Mair being minded to kill her and there was an apparent confession on his arrest. | |
The judge said the defence barrister had also reminded the jury of the burden of proof needed to convict Mr Mair. |