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Conspiracy charge dropped for Rigby accused | Conspiracy charge dropped for Rigby accused |
(35 minutes later) | |
The men accused of killing soldier Lee Rigby no longer face charges of conspiracy to murder a police officer, a court has heard. | The men accused of killing soldier Lee Rigby no longer face charges of conspiracy to murder a police officer, a court has heard. |
Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, still face counts of murdering Fusilier Rigby and attempted murder of a police officer. | Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, still face counts of murdering Fusilier Rigby and attempted murder of a police officer. |
They are accused of running Fusilier Rigby over in a car and then hacking him with a meat cleaver and knives near Woolwich Barracks in London on 22 May. | They are accused of running Fusilier Rigby over in a car and then hacking him with a meat cleaver and knives near Woolwich Barracks in London on 22 May. |
Both men deny the charges. | Both men deny the charges. |
Mr Justice Sweeney told jurors at the Old Bailey they were discharged from any further consideration of one count of conspiracy to murder a police officer for each defendant. | Mr Justice Sweeney told jurors at the Old Bailey they were discharged from any further consideration of one count of conspiracy to murder a police officer for each defendant. |
He also told the jury Mr Adebolajo's claim to be a "soldier of Allah" was not a defence to the charge of murdering Fusilier Rigby. | |
The judge said "nothing" in Mr Adebolajo's evidence "amounts in law to a defence to this count [of murder]". | |
"Both defence counsel must and will respect that ruling in their speeches," he added. |