Murder trial jury to spend second day reaching verdict

4:01am Tuesday 19th February 2008

THE jury in the Jenny Nicholl murder trial will spend a second day attempting to reach a verdict.

The six men and six women retired to consider the evidence at about 10.40am yesterday.

After spending the day deliberating, they were dismissed at 4.15pm without returning a verdict.

David Hodgson, 48, of Olav Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, denies murdering shopworker Jenny Nicholl on or about June 30, 2005.

Before they retired as the trial enters its sixth week, Mr Justice Openshaw told members of the jury they must make a decision based on the evidence they had heard during the trial.

He said: "What happens in the jury room is private.

"But if anything occurs which gives you a very serious concern which you think might adversely impact on the course of the trial, then of course it is your duty to bring it to my attention immediately."

The judge urged the jury to reach a unanimous verdict.

However, he told members if this was not possible he would give further direction regarding a majority decision.

Members of the jury took with them the jury bundle, which contains maps, pictures, transcripts of police interviews with the accused and other documents relating to the trial.

The judge told members they were free to inspect any of the exhibits shown to them during the hearing.

These exhibits include the portable CD player that Jenny took with her on the night she disappeared.

The stereo was found hidden under leaves in the Sandbeck Plantation, near Richmond.

The court has heard that Jenny left her family home on June 30, 2005, saying she would not be back that night.

Her family has not seen her since.

The defendant has admitted he had a relationship with Jenny.

He claims she wanted to go to London to sell drugs to pay for breast implants.

However, the prosecution claims the 19-year-old was murdered when the pair went camping together.

They say Mr Hodgson hid Jenny's body somewhere in the countryside surrounding Richmond.

During the trial, the defence presented four witnesses who claimed they saw Jenny after she was allegedly murdered by the defendant.

The trial continues.

Editor's Choice

Editor's Choice