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Emile Cilliers parachute trial: Jurors warned against 'bullying' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The judge in the trial of an Army sergeant accused of trying to murder his wife by tampering with her parachute has warned the jurors not to "bully" each other. | The judge in the trial of an Army sergeant accused of trying to murder his wife by tampering with her parachute has warned the jurors not to "bully" each other. |
Nine women and three men have been deliberating since last Tuesday in the case of Emile Cilliers. | Nine women and three men have been deliberating since last Tuesday in the case of Emile Cilliers. |
Two jurors fell ill and were discharged after Mr Justice Sweeney issued a majority direction. | Two jurors fell ill and were discharged after Mr Justice Sweeney issued a majority direction. |
Mr Cilliers denies two charges of attempting to murder his wife Victoria. | Mr Cilliers denies two charges of attempting to murder his wife Victoria. |
Mr Justice Sweeney gave the direction on Tuesday to jurors at Winchester Crown Court, saying that he would accept majority verdicts. | Mr Justice Sweeney gave the direction on Tuesday to jurors at Winchester Crown Court, saying that he would accept majority verdicts. |
'Exhausting discussions' | 'Exhausting discussions' |
Ninety minutes after this, one of the jurors became ill. | Ninety minutes after this, one of the jurors became ill. |
On Wednesday, the forewoman also fell ill, with both jurors dismissed after the judge received medical certificates. | On Wednesday, the forewoman also fell ill, with both jurors dismissed after the judge received medical certificates. |
He told the jurors, who have now been deliberating for 23-and-a-half hours: "Jury service is not easy; it never has been. | He told the jurors, who have now been deliberating for 23-and-a-half hours: "Jury service is not easy; it never has been. |
"By their very nature, some trials require jurors to address deeply sensitive human problems, and some discussions may be fierce or tempestuous, with powerful arguments and counter-arguments. | "By their very nature, some trials require jurors to address deeply sensitive human problems, and some discussions may be fierce or tempestuous, with powerful arguments and counter-arguments. |
"In such cases, discussions by their nature will be exhausting. | "In such cases, discussions by their nature will be exhausting. |
"However, and obviously, all must remain within the proper bounds of discussion, and not amount to improper pressure or bullying." | "However, and obviously, all must remain within the proper bounds of discussion, and not amount to improper pressure or bullying." |
Mr Cilliers, 37, is accused trying to kill Victoria, 40, who survived a 4,000ft fall on 5 April 2015. | Mr Cilliers, 37, is accused trying to kill Victoria, 40, who survived a 4,000ft fall on 5 April 2015. |
It is alleged he tampered with her parachute before the jump, causing her to plummet to the ground. | It is alleged he tampered with her parachute before the jump, causing her to plummet to the ground. |
Prosecutors also claim the defendant made another attempt to kill Mrs Cilliers by deliberately causing a gas leak in the family home days before the fall. | Prosecutors also claim the defendant made another attempt to kill Mrs Cilliers by deliberately causing a gas leak in the family home days before the fall. |
Mr Cilliers denies two counts of attempted murder and another criminal damage charge relating to the gas valve. | Mr Cilliers denies two counts of attempted murder and another criminal damage charge relating to the gas valve. |
The jury will continue its deliberations on Thursday. | The jury will continue its deliberations on Thursday. |
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