A CHARGE against a woman accused of murdering a homeless drug addict was dropped yesterday.
Defence lawyers said there was no evidence to convict Shelly Hill, 24, of the murder of Robert "Swampy" Parkin, 29.
Last week, the prosecution's chief witness, Nicola Richardson, who said that she was there when Mr Parkin died in a flat in Shaftsbury Street, Stockton, told the jury that Miss Hill merely tapped him with her foot to check if he was still alive.
Martin Bethel, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court he had considered the evidence over the weekend and it was decided to proceed no further against Miss Hill, of Lancaster Road, Grangetown.
Still on trial denying murdering Mr Parkin, on May 8, are Steven Small, 33, of Holborn Park, Stockton, and Brian Lancaster, 32, of no fixed address, but originally from Hartlepool.
The case was in its fourth day and is continuing.
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