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Parachute husband Emile Cilliers set to face retrial | Parachute husband Emile Cilliers set to face retrial |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An Army sergeant accused of trying to kill his wife is set to face a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict. | An Army sergeant accused of trying to kill his wife is set to face a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict. |
Emile Cilliers denied tampering with Victoria Cilliers' parachute at Netheravon Airfield, Wiltshire, where she suffered near-fatal injuries in 2015. | Emile Cilliers denied tampering with Victoria Cilliers' parachute at Netheravon Airfield, Wiltshire, where she suffered near-fatal injuries in 2015. |
Mr Cilliers, 37, faced two charges of attempted murder and another of criminal damage. | Mr Cilliers, 37, faced two charges of attempted murder and another of criminal damage. |
Jurors were discharged after a seven-week trial at Winchester Crown Court. | Jurors were discharged after a seven-week trial at Winchester Crown Court. |
Parachuting instructor Mrs Cilliers, 40, survived a 4,000ft fall on Easter Sunday when both her main and reserve parachutes failed. | Parachuting instructor Mrs Cilliers, 40, survived a 4,000ft fall on Easter Sunday when both her main and reserve parachutes failed. |
'A long case' | |
Prosecutors also claimed the defendant made another attempt to kill her by deliberately causing a gas leak in the family home days before the fall. | Prosecutors also claimed the defendant made another attempt to kill her by deliberately causing a gas leak in the family home days before the fall. |
The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will seek a retrial on all three charges. | The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will seek a retrial on all three charges. |
Jurors began deliberations last Tuesday. | Jurors began deliberations last Tuesday. |
A week later, after they had discussed the case for more than 23 hours, judge Mr Justice Sweeney told them he would accept a majority verdict. | A week later, after they had discussed the case for more than 23 hours, judge Mr Justice Sweeney told them he would accept a majority verdict. |
Two jurors, including the forewoman, fell ill and were released after the judge issued the direction. | Two jurors, including the forewoman, fell ill and were released after the judge issued the direction. |
After the remaining jurors had deliberated for about 30 hours, the judge thanked them for their hard work. | |
He told them: "It has been a long case which you have been required to work very hard on over a long period." | |
Mr Cilliers was released on conditional bail until the retrial. |