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Double murder accused Leo Barnes found dead in prison cell Double murder accused Leo Barnes found dead in prison cell
(about 2 hours later)
A man currently on trial for the murder of two pensioners has been found dead in his prison cell.A man currently on trial for the murder of two pensioners has been found dead in his prison cell.
Leo Barnes was accused of murdering Cynthia Beamond, from Halesowen, and Philip Silverstone, of London, on consecutive days in June last year.Leo Barnes was accused of murdering Cynthia Beamond, from Halesowen, and Philip Silverstone, of London, on consecutive days in June last year.
The 33-year-old, who denied murder, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch on Sunday, West Midlands Police said.The 33-year-old, who denied murder, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch on Sunday, West Midlands Police said.
His trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court started last Monday. The Ministry of Justice said he was being monitored for self harm.
Mr Barnes' trial started at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Monday.
'Knew victims''Knew victims'
Mr Barnes, from Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath in Birmingham, was due to be cross-examined by prosecutors on Friday but did not appear in court after complaining of feeling ill. He was due to be cross-examined by prosecutors on Friday but did not appear in court after complaining of feeling ill.
In a statement, a police spokesman said "Mr Barnes was found hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch.In a statement, a police spokesman said "Mr Barnes was found hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch.
"As is standard protocol with all prison fatalities, an investigation into his death will take place but it is not deemed to be suspicious.""As is standard protocol with all prison fatalities, an investigation into his death will take place but it is not deemed to be suspicious."
Jurors had been told Mr Barnes knew his victims - Ms Beamond since childhood - but claimed someone else carried out the killings. Jurors had been told Mr Barnes, Balsall Heath in Birmingham, knew his victims - Mrs Beamond, 80, since childhood - and was in their home when they were attacked but claimed someone else carried out the killings.
He told the jury he had been followed to 80-year-old Mrs Beamond's home by three men who then robbed him at gunpoint. Mrs Beamond's daughter, Beverley Hadley, said of Mr Barnes' death: "We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime."
He said she was hit over the head with a saucepan by an intruder who then ordered him to clean up a trail of blood but he thought she was still alive when he left her house. 'Own life sentence'
The following day, Mr Barnes said he drove to London, to Mr Silverstone's flat in Belsize Park where the 67-year-old was sitting with his wife and a Polish man.
He and the Polish man then went to a bedroom for sex but ended up having a fight which Mr Silverstone became embroiled in, the court was told.
'Alive and fighting'
The Polish man then hit the pensioner over the head with a car jack but he was "alive and fighting" when Mr Barnes left.
Ms Beamond's daughter, Beverley Hadley, said of Mr Barnes' death: "We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved Mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime."
She said her life changed forever after her mother's death and every day was "painful and empty".She said her life changed forever after her mother's death and every day was "painful and empty".
"We have been deprived of those valuable final years of mum's life and those precious moments with her to say our final goodbyes," she said."We have been deprived of those valuable final years of mum's life and those precious moments with her to say our final goodbyes," she said.
"She is missed by everyone who knew her and her loss has left a huge void. Our lives have been devastated and changed forever. As a family we are now suffering our own life sentence.""She is missed by everyone who knew her and her loss has left a huge void. Our lives have been devastated and changed forever. As a family we are now suffering our own life sentence."
Mr Barnes was also accused of stealing property, including a television, from the home of Mrs Beamond.Mr Barnes was also accused of stealing property, including a television, from the home of Mrs Beamond.
A post-mortem examination showed she died from head injuries.A post-mortem examination showed she died from head injuries.
Det Insp Caroline Corfield, who led the murder inquiry, said officers had been in touch with Mr Barnes' next of kin following his death.Det Insp Caroline Corfield, who led the murder inquiry, said officers had been in touch with Mr Barnes' next of kin following his death.
The court is expected to sit later when Mr Barnes' death will be revealed to the jury, police said.The court is expected to sit later when Mr Barnes' death will be revealed to the jury, police said.
A spokesman for Prison Service spokesman said: "HMP Hewell prisoner Leo Barnes was found unresponsive in his cell at about 06:05am on Sunday 25 January 2015.
"Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
"As with all deaths in custody, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."