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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Juror in the clear over MP3 claim | Juror in the clear over MP3 claim |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The attorney general has decided not to take action against a Muslim juror who allegedly listened to music during a murder trial. | The attorney general has decided not to take action against a Muslim juror who allegedly listened to music during a murder trial. |
| Ruhela Khanom, in her 20s, was accused of hiding an MP3 player and earphones beneath an Islamic hijab or headscarf. | Ruhela Khanom, in her 20s, was accused of hiding an MP3 player and earphones beneath an Islamic hijab or headscarf. |
| She was discharged during the trial, at Blackfriars Crown Court, of Alan Wicks, who was later jailed for life for murdering his wife. | She was discharged during the trial, at Blackfriars Crown Court, of Alan Wicks, who was later jailed for life for murdering his wife. |
| The attorney general's office said there was insufficient evidence. | The attorney general's office said there was insufficient evidence. |
| A statement from the office of the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, said she had "considered carefully the papers in this matter, in particular the witness statements, and has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of proving beyond reasonable doubt any alleged contempt of court". | A statement from the office of the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, said she had "considered carefully the papers in this matter, in particular the witness statements, and has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of proving beyond reasonable doubt any alleged contempt of court". |
| Jury service | Jury service |
| Ms Khanom was discharged by the trial judge, Judge Roger Chapple, after the prosecutor Peter Clarke QC claimed the juror had not been paying attention while the defendant was in the witness box giving key evidence. | Ms Khanom was discharged by the trial judge, Judge Roger Chapple, after the prosecutor Peter Clarke QC claimed the juror had not been paying attention while the defendant was in the witness box giving key evidence. |
| Having looked very carefully at this case at the heart of is this whether this lady deliberately ignored the evidence Judge Aiden Marron QC When jurors misbehave | |
| Wicks, 72, was later convicted of bludgeoning to death his wife, Pamela, at their home in Hayes, west London, after taking out £150,000 life insurance. | Wicks, 72, was later convicted of bludgeoning to death his wife, Pamela, at their home in Hayes, west London, after taking out £150,000 life insurance. |
| At the end of the trial, it was also revealed Ms Khanom had repeatedly tried to avoid jury service. | At the end of the trial, it was also revealed Ms Khanom had repeatedly tried to avoid jury service. |
| During the trial, Judge Chapple warned her after she appeared to be doodling on a pad while evidence was being read out. | During the trial, Judge Chapple warned her after she appeared to be doodling on a pad while evidence was being read out. |
| 'Tinny music' | 'Tinny music' |
| Mr Clarke initially asked for her to be discharged, but the judge resisted, saying jurors could only be discharged for "very, very serious and improper behaviour". | Mr Clarke initially asked for her to be discharged, but the judge resisted, saying jurors could only be discharged for "very, very serious and improper behaviour". |
| But the following day one of the defence lawyers thought she spotted a wire under the hijab. | But the following day one of the defence lawyers thought she spotted a wire under the hijab. |
| Later the judge said he had thought he could hear "tinny music" during the trial but dismissed it as his imagination. | Later the judge said he had thought he could hear "tinny music" during the trial but dismissed it as his imagination. |
| The trial judge referred the matter to Judge Aidan Marron QC who considered the matter earlier this month. | The trial judge referred the matter to Judge Aidan Marron QC who considered the matter earlier this month. |
| Judge Marron said: "The police have investigated this matter and assembled a file. | Judge Marron said: "The police have investigated this matter and assembled a file. |
| "Having looked very carefully at this case at the heart of is this whether this lady deliberately ignored the evidence. | "Having looked very carefully at this case at the heart of is this whether this lady deliberately ignored the evidence. |
| "That means that she was listening to music during the course of the evidence. | "That means that she was listening to music during the course of the evidence. |
| "Although there may be allegations she was persistently late and was quite indifferent to listening to the evidence and studying documentation... these matters demonstrate mindset but do not constitute contempt of court. | "Although there may be allegations she was persistently late and was quite indifferent to listening to the evidence and studying documentation... these matters demonstrate mindset but do not constitute contempt of court. |
| "The fundamental allegation is whether she was deliberately ignoring the evidence by listening to music." | "The fundamental allegation is whether she was deliberately ignoring the evidence by listening to music." |