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April Jones jury told to put emotion aside before reaching verdict April Jones jury told to put emotion aside before reaching verdict
(4 months later)
The jury hearing the trial of the man charged with abducting and murdering April Jones has been urged to put emotion aside in considering its verdicts on Wednesday.The jury hearing the trial of the man charged with abducting and murdering April Jones has been urged to put emotion aside in considering its verdicts on Wednesday.
The judge, Mr Justice Griffiths Williams, and prosecution and defence barristers reminded the nine women and three men that they must decide on the case against Mark Bridger solely on the evidence they have heard.The judge, Mr Justice Griffiths Williams, and prosecution and defence barristers reminded the nine women and three men that they must decide on the case against Mark Bridger solely on the evidence they have heard.
The prosecution alleges that Bridger, a former abattoir worker and lifeguard, abducted five-year-old April from near her home in Machynlleth, mid Wales, and killed her in a sexually-motivated attack before disposing of, concealing or destroying her body.The prosecution alleges that Bridger, a former abattoir worker and lifeguard, abducted five-year-old April from near her home in Machynlleth, mid Wales, and killed her in a sexually-motivated attack before disposing of, concealing or destroying her body.
Bridger, 47, who denies the offences, claims he accidentally knocked April over in his Land Rover, put her into his vehicle then panicked and forgot what he did with her body, which has never been found.Bridger, 47, who denies the offences, claims he accidentally knocked April over in his Land Rover, put her into his vehicle then panicked and forgot what he did with her body, which has never been found.
Some members of the jury appeared upset as they heard how April's blood was found at Bridger's home, and bone fragments – which the prosecution claims came from a child's skull – were discovered in his wood burner.Some members of the jury appeared upset as they heard how April's blood was found at Bridger's home, and bone fragments – which the prosecution claims came from a child's skull – were discovered in his wood burner.
Beginning his summing up at Mold crown court in north Wales, the judge urged the jury to conduct a "dispassionate review of the evidence".Beginning his summing up at Mold crown court in north Wales, the judge urged the jury to conduct a "dispassionate review of the evidence".
He told the panel not to speculate, adding: "No verdict should be based on guesswork."He told the panel not to speculate, adding: "No verdict should be based on guesswork."
Earlier, Elwen Evans QC, prosecuting, said the case against Bridger was overwhelming. She reminded the jury that images showing children being sexually abused were found on Bridger's laptop computer, along with pictures of murder victims who had died at the hands of sex killers.Earlier, Elwen Evans QC, prosecuting, said the case against Bridger was overwhelming. She reminded the jury that images showing children being sexually abused were found on Bridger's laptop computer, along with pictures of murder victims who had died at the hands of sex killers.
She asked the jury to consider how Bridger had reacted in the "spotlight of the witness box".She asked the jury to consider how Bridger had reacted in the "spotlight of the witness box".
Bridger spent three days giving evidence.Bridger spent three days giving evidence.
"You have seen some glimpses into his mindset and some of those glimpses, you may have thought, are quite frankly shocking," Evans said. "Some of you may have wondered how anybody could do what the prosecution allege this defendant has done and then concoct a story to cover up what he has done.""You have seen some glimpses into his mindset and some of those glimpses, you may have thought, are quite frankly shocking," Evans said. "Some of you may have wondered how anybody could do what the prosecution allege this defendant has done and then concoct a story to cover up what he has done."
The prosecutor reminded the jury of Bridger's false claims that he had served in the military and said: "On his own admission, this is a man who, over 20 years ago decided to create a whole new life for himself, and a man who was prepared to live that lie."The prosecutor reminded the jury of Bridger's false claims that he had served in the military and said: "On his own admission, this is a man who, over 20 years ago decided to create a whole new life for himself, and a man who was prepared to live that lie."
She claimed he had continued to manipulate his account of what he said happened to April to "deal with evidence he cannot overcome".She claimed he had continued to manipulate his account of what he said happened to April to "deal with evidence he cannot overcome".
April's parents, Coral and Paul, who have attended each day of the trial, watched the closing speeches and the judge's summing up from the public gallery.April's parents, Coral and Paul, who have attended each day of the trial, watched the closing speeches and the judge's summing up from the public gallery.
Beginning his address, Brendan Kelly QC, defending, urged the jury to put aside the "obvious emotions" attached to a case that had "appalled" the nation and decide their verdict on the evidence.Beginning his address, Brendan Kelly QC, defending, urged the jury to put aside the "obvious emotions" attached to a case that had "appalled" the nation and decide their verdict on the evidence.
He said: "Mark Bridger denies these offences. He challenges the 'compelling' evidence which the crown advances."He said: "Mark Bridger denies these offences. He challenges the 'compelling' evidence which the crown advances."
Kelly went on: "You can only convict this defendant if you are sure on the evidence that is put before you.Kelly went on: "You can only convict this defendant if you are sure on the evidence that is put before you.
"If you are sure, it will be your pleasure to convict Mark Bridger. But if you are not sure, it will be upon you to acquit Mark Bridger."If you are sure, it will be your pleasure to convict Mark Bridger. But if you are not sure, it will be upon you to acquit Mark Bridger.
"Your job, and I can't state this enough, is to decide the case on the evidence. It is going to be difficult to ignore the obvious emotion attached to these allegations but that is what you are obliged to do.""Your job, and I can't state this enough, is to decide the case on the evidence. It is going to be difficult to ignore the obvious emotion attached to these allegations but that is what you are obliged to do."
Kelly drew attention to the evidence of a seven-year-old witness who claimed she saw April getting into Bridger's Land Rover willingly on the evening of 1 October. The barrister claimed the witness, who gave her evidence via video link, was honest but mistaken.Kelly drew attention to the evidence of a seven-year-old witness who claimed she saw April getting into Bridger's Land Rover willingly on the evening of 1 October. The barrister claimed the witness, who gave her evidence via video link, was honest but mistaken.
The jury is expected to retire at around lunchtime on Wednesday.The jury is expected to retire at around lunchtime on Wednesday.
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