Two men accused of murdering a cyclist when they deliberately drove a car into him have been chosen not to give evidence in their trial.
Brandon Ali and Joey Matthews are alleged to have killed Mr Eland and injured his girlfriend as they cycled through Middlesbrough last summer.
Jurors had heard a transcript of a heated argument between Matthews and his mother where he continually abused her before making the admission that he was responsible for the death of Carl Eland.
The father-of-four died days after he knocked of his bike while cycling with his girlfriend sitting on the handlebars. She suffered minor injuries.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the car was later found burnt out near the Unicorn Centre in the shadow of Cleveland Police’s Hemlington headquarters.
Read more: 'I’m looking at 25 years you daft cow' - What murder accused said to his mam in a phone call
This morning, John Elvidge QC, representing Matthews, said his client had declined the opportunity to give evidence in his defence.
And moments later, Francis Fitzgibbon QC, on behalf of Ali, said his client had taken the same approach to his defence.
Mattews and Ali are accused of deliberately ramming into Mr Eland as a drug feud descended into violence.
Earlier in the trial, jurors listened to Matthews' recorded conversation with his mother in which he said: “I’m looking at 25 years you daft cow.”
His mother said: “You’re not though are you because you’re not guilty, are you?”
Matthews replied: “Yeah, I f****** am though, aren’t I.”
Mr Eland died after suffering fatal injuries when he was knocked from a bike in the Homerton Road and Gribdale Road area of Middlesbrough on August 21, 2021.
The 37-year-old died on August 25 after never recovering from the injuries he sustained in the crash with the white Vauxhall Insignia.
A post mortem revealed that he had suffered significant injuries as a result of the impact.
Ali, of Dalwood Court, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, and Matthews, of Newcomen Green, Middlesbrough, are accused of murder and attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
The pair, both 21, deny the charges.
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