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Devlin drugs alibi not backed-up Devlin drugs alibi not backed-up
(10 minutes later)
Two friends of a man charged with murder refused to give him an alibi for the time it is alleged he was stabbing a schoolboy to death, a jury has heard.Two friends of a man charged with murder refused to give him an alibi for the time it is alleged he was stabbing a schoolboy to death, a jury has heard.
Belfast men Nigel Brown, 26, from Whitewell Road and Gary Taylor, 23, from Mountcollyer Avenue, deny murdering Thomas Devlin, 15, in 2005.Belfast men Nigel Brown, 26, from Whitewell Road and Gary Taylor, 23, from Mountcollyer Avenue, deny murdering Thomas Devlin, 15, in 2005.
A detective told Belfast Crown Court Mr Taylor told police he was smoking cannabis in a car park at the time.A detective told Belfast Crown Court Mr Taylor told police he was smoking cannabis in a car park at the time.
However, the two men he named were not prepared to make a statement.However, the two men he named were not prepared to make a statement.
During police interview, Mr Taylor said he had been in a car with his friends at Loughside car park at 2330 GMT on the night of the attack.During police interview, Mr Taylor said he had been in a car with his friends at Loughside car park at 2330 GMT on the night of the attack.
Also on Wednesday, the trial heard that paramilitaries were not involved in the killing of the schoolboy and that there was no fingerprint or DNA evidence against either of the accused.Also on Wednesday, the trial heard that paramilitaries were not involved in the killing of the schoolboy and that there was no fingerprint or DNA evidence against either of the accused.
The jury heard that two days after the trial started on 12 January, police visited Mr Brown's mother to tell her they had received an anonymous phone call threatening her and warning her son not to give evidence.
A detective said they were unable to ascertain the veracity of the threat.
Letter
The detective superintendent also told the court, he wrote to Mr Brown's solicitor, to Mr Brown himself and even spoke to Mr Brown about giving evidence against those involved in the killing.
He said he drew his attention to legislation under which a suspect could make full disclosure of criminality and give evidence against others involved in exchange for a reduction in sentence.
Reading from the letter he said: "This was a particularly senseless and brutal murder and I will use every legitimate means available to achieve justice for Thomas Devlin and his family.
"Please do not interpret this letter as any form of inducement. I'm simply highlighting the legislation to yourself. I want to establish the truth about the role of those involved in the murder."
DSI Hanley said however, that nothing came of the letter or other contacts.
Thomas died as a result of stab wounds. His friend Jonathan McKee was stabbed in the abdomen and hit on the head with a wooden baton.Thomas died as a result of stab wounds. His friend Jonathan McKee was stabbed in the abdomen and hit on the head with a wooden baton.
The prosecution alleges Mr Taylor had the knife and Mr Brown the bat.The prosecution alleges Mr Taylor had the knife and Mr Brown the bat.
The case continues.The case continues.