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Conspiracy charge dropped for Rigby accused Conspiracy charge dropped for Rigby accused
(33 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.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]".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."Both defence counsel must and will respect that ruling in their speeches," he added.
In his closing speech, prosecutor Richard Whittam QC said: "Islam, one of the world's great religions, is not on trial."
He once again showed the jury photographs of knives with blood on them, and replayed the video in which Fusilier Rigby is seen being knocked down by a Vauxhall Tigra.
"What was the consequence of driving into Lee Rigby? The consequence was it broke his back," Mr Whittam said.
And he asked jurors what "purpose" the defendants had in killing Fusilier Rigby, dragging his body into the road then staying at the scene.
"To borrow a phrase from the first defendant - carnage," he said.
On the charge of attempted murder of a police officer, Mr Whittam said Mr Adebolajo raised a meat cleaver "above his head" and "got very close" to the car police arrived in before he was shot.