THE jury considering their verdict in a murder trial have been sent home after failing to reach a decision after more than four hours of deliberation.
Robert Baker is charged with the murder of John Coates in the block of flats where they both lived in September last year.
The 24-year-old is accused of bludgeoning the shop worker to death before stripping him naked and dumping him in a half-filled bathtub.
Mr Coates, 61, of Fleet House, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, was discovered by his brother after he had not been seen for several days.
Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told jurors to return to court at 10am to resume their deliberations.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article