THE judge giving directions to jurors in the Jack Woodley murder trial today reminded them what the defendants either told police when arrested or stated in giving evidence to the court.

Four of the ten accused of the murder of the 18-year-old in a mass attack in Houghton-le-Spring, on Saturday October 16, chose not to give evidence during the trial, now in its seventh week, preferring to rely on what they told police at the time of their respective arrests.

But the remaining six did take to the witness stand during the ongoing Newcastle Crown Court trial, including the youth accused of inflicting the fatal stab wound.

Judge Rodney Jameson reminded the jury that the 15-year-old admitted inflicting the fatal blow, and has admitted manslaughter, but denies murder on the basis he did not intentionally stab Mr Woodley and only produced the knife to frighten off the victim or any of his friends in the vicinity at the time.

The judge said the youth who threw the first punch in the violence admitted attacking Mr Woodley, but in what he perceived would be a, “one-to-one” fight, and he did not encourage anyone else to take part.

Two others admitted becoming involved in the attack intending only to help their friends, while another said he put on as knuckleduster to defend the first youth, but denied using any violence himself or encouraging others to join in.

Another said he became involved in a bid to stop the violence.

Read more: Jack Woodley trial jury judge outlines the law as it applies in the murder case

Judge Jameson said of those accused who chose not to give evidence in court, one told police he only attacked one of Mr Woodley’s friends, another denied being present at the time, while one of the other co-accused merely denied having done anything wrong.

The judge concluded that with evidence given from defendants who claimed not to remember aspects of the incident, when cross-examined in court, it had to be remembered that it took place six months ago, but he added that jurors were entitled to “draw inferences” and to conclude they may have no answer to stand up to scrutiny.

Prosecution counsel Mark McKone is scheduled to give the first of the eleven closing speeches in the case to the jury tomorrow, while the judge will sum up the evidence next week.

Proceeding.

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