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| April Jones jury to visit town where she disappeared | April Jones jury to visit town where she disappeared |
| (12 days later) | |
| A jury hearing the case against a man accused of abducting and murdering five-year-old April Jones is to visit the town where she disappeared. | A jury hearing the case against a man accused of abducting and murdering five-year-old April Jones is to visit the town where she disappeared. |
| The jurors will be taken to Machynlleth in mid-Wales seven months after April went missing as she played out on her bicycle. | The jurors will be taken to Machynlleth in mid-Wales seven months after April went missing as she played out on her bicycle. |
| The former lifeguard Mark Bridger, 47, denies abducting and murdering the schoolgirl and concealing or disposing of her body. | The former lifeguard Mark Bridger, 47, denies abducting and murdering the schoolgirl and concealing or disposing of her body. |
| Potential jurors were told on the first day of his trial at Mold crown court in north Wales on Monday that the panel would visit Machynlleth. | Potential jurors were told on the first day of his trial at Mold crown court in north Wales on Monday that the panel would visit Machynlleth. |
| They were also given a long list of potential witnesses and people connected to the case to check that they had no links with them. A final 12 jury members will be selected on Tuesday. | They were also given a long list of potential witnesses and people connected to the case to check that they had no links with them. A final 12 jury members will be selected on Tuesday. |
| Wearing a short-sleeved light blue shirt, grey trousers and striped tie, Bridger spoke only to confirm his name. The defendant was flanked by two security guards in the dock as around 50 potential jurors were brought into courtroom number one. | Wearing a short-sleeved light blue shirt, grey trousers and striped tie, Bridger spoke only to confirm his name. The defendant was flanked by two security guards in the dock as around 50 potential jurors were brought into courtroom number one. |
| April's parents, Paul and Coral, who arrived wearing the pink ribbons that have come to symbolise hope that the little girl might be found, watched proceedings from the public gallery. They had no view of the defendant. | April's parents, Paul and Coral, who arrived wearing the pink ribbons that have come to symbolise hope that the little girl might be found, watched proceedings from the public gallery. They had no view of the defendant. |
| The trial judge, Mr Justice Griffith-Williams, told the potential jurors: "I don't know whether you have been reading the papers or listening to the news but if you have, you have probably worked out by now that I am about to start the trial which arises out of the alleged murder of April Jones in Machynlleth last October." | The trial judge, Mr Justice Griffith-Williams, told the potential jurors: "I don't know whether you have been reading the papers or listening to the news but if you have, you have probably worked out by now that I am about to start the trial which arises out of the alleged murder of April Jones in Machynlleth last October." |
| He added: "The defendant's name is Mark Bridger, he is obviously sitting in the dock. It may be as well that you have a look at him just to make sure he is not somebody who you know or who you think you know." | He added: "The defendant's name is Mark Bridger, he is obviously sitting in the dock. It may be as well that you have a look at him just to make sure he is not somebody who you know or who you think you know." |
| During the initial stages of the jury selection process, prospective members were read a list of more than 50 witnesses who may give evidence. | During the initial stages of the jury selection process, prospective members were read a list of more than 50 witnesses who may give evidence. |
| The pool of potential jurors was informed that the jury would pay a visit to various sites in the Machynlleth area, 60 miles from Mold, during the trial. They were told this would include some walking over uneven surfaces. | The pool of potential jurors was informed that the jury would pay a visit to various sites in the Machynlleth area, 60 miles from Mold, during the trial. They were told this would include some walking over uneven surfaces. |
| Asking the jury pool to consider any connections to Machynlleth that may prevent them from sitting, the judge added: "It is very important that no person on the jury has any present or past connection with the Machynlleth area, and certainly no connection which would cause any concern about that particular juror sitting on the case." | Asking the jury pool to consider any connections to Machynlleth that may prevent them from sitting, the judge added: "It is very important that no person on the jury has any present or past connection with the Machynlleth area, and certainly no connection which would cause any concern about that particular juror sitting on the case." |
| The jury was told that the trial could take until the middle of June. | The jury was told that the trial could take until the middle of June. |
| April's disappearance on 1 October last year sparked a massive outpouring of support for her family, with many hundreds of people joining the search. The youngster's body has never been found despite a major operation led by Dyfed-Powys police. | April's disappearance on 1 October last year sparked a massive outpouring of support for her family, with many hundreds of people joining the search. The youngster's body has never been found despite a major operation led by Dyfed-Powys police. |
| Bridger is charged with abducting and murdering April and of unlawfully disposing of or concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice. He denies all charges. | Bridger is charged with abducting and murdering April and of unlawfully disposing of or concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice. He denies all charges. |
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