Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Scots Judge halts murder trial as new jury demanded

One of the more unusual moves in the Scottish Courts system recently saw Lord Hardie halting a murder trial in dramatic fashion ...

The Evening Times reports :

Shock as Lyons trial is halted

THE trial of two men accused of shooting a man dead and injuring two others in a Glasgow garage was dramatically halted today.

When jurors took their places at the High Court in Glasgow for the third day of evidence they were told by judge Lord Hardie a problem had arisen.

He said: "A matter has been brought to my attention this morning which will necessitate my deserting the trial for the time being and to start afresh tomorrow.

"I can't go into details about the situation other than to say it is nothing to do with the two accused."

Lord Hardie then deserted the trial temporarily to allow a fresh trial to start tomorrow when new jurors will be picked.

On trial are James McDonald, 34, and Raymond Anderson, 46.

They deny murdering Michael Lyons, 21, by repeatedly shooting him at his uncle's garage, Applerow Motors in Balmore Road, Lambhill, Glasgow, on December 6, 2006.

McDonald and Anderson also deny attempting to murder Pickett and his friend, Steven Lyons, 26, during the same incident.

They also face a number of firearm charges, including two which allege that between November 2004 and January 11, 2007, they reset and illegally possessed three machine guns, a bipod, telescopic sight, quantities of ammunition and a number of flares, all of which had been stolen

The Daily Record also reports :

Garage Murder Trial Abandoned

Feb 27 2008

THE trial of two men accused of murder and attempted murder was abandoned today.

Lord Hardie did not specify why he was stopping the trial at the High Court in Glasgow in its third day but said it was nothing to do with the two accused.

James McDonald, 34, and Raymond Anderson, 46, were charged with murdering Michael Lyons, 21, which they denied.

They also denied attempting to murder Steven Lyons, 27 and Robert Pickett, 42.

Judge Lord Hardie today said he was deserting the trial temporarily - using the legal term "pro loco et tempore".

He discharged the jury and said that the trial would start afresh tomorrow with a new jury.

He said: "A matter has come to my attention.

"I cannot go into detail as to what the situation is other than it is nothing to do with the two accused."

The murder and attempted murder were alleged to have happened at Applerow Motors on Balmore Road in Glasgow on December 6, 2006.

McDonald and Anderson also faced further charges which they denied, including a number of firearms charges.

These included that between November 24, 2004 and January 11, 2007, they allegedly reset three machine guns, a bipod, a telescopic site, quantities of ammunition and a number of flares, which had been stolen, and illegally possessed three machine guns.

Both had lodged special defence of incrimination.

No comments: