The trial of Husband and Dobbie

[richardb]

I have received private messages asking me what is going on in the trial, in the absence of press coverage. What appears below is intended to set out the legal position and NOT state any opinion on the outcome.

The jury retired to consider their verdicts at 10.50 on Thursday. They will have been instructed: (i) to consider the case against each Defendant separately; and (ii) to consider each charge separately. They will also have been told that the only verdicts which the judge can accept are unanimous verdicts - ie 12-0 for guilty or 12-0 for not guilty.

There are two defendants and about eight (possibly more) complainants so there is a lot to consider.

The jury was sent home at about 3.10 on Thursday and did not start deliberating again until about 10.50 on Friday. Once again they were sent home at about 3.10. As far as I can tell no verdicts have been announced.

In the absence of unanimous verdicts on all counts, the next thing that will happen is that the jury will be given the majority direction which means that they will be told that verdicts of 11-1 or 10-2 are acceptable. I have an idea in my own head when that will be, but do not intend to post it publicly "just in case".

It is usual when the majority direction is given for the jury to be asked if they have reached any verdicts and, if they have, for those verdicts to be taken. The fact that no verdicts have been announced yet does not mean that the jury has not reached any.

Eventually if the jury is unable to reach verdicts on some or all counts, they will be discharged and consideration will be given to a retrial. Once again, it would be wrong for me to say when I think this will be.

I hope this assists forum members in knowing what is going on. Put simply we have no idea beyond the fact that the case is entirely in the hands of the jury.

[DazedandConfused]

Thank you, that’s really helpful

[Janey Jam-Jar]

Thank you, richardb.

[jtaylor]

Helpful factual post - thanks!

J

[richardb]

Thanks.

Just keeping people informed.

[J.R.]

Not long now !!

[richardb]

There doesn't appear to be anything happening beyond the jury continuing to deliberate.

In particular the majority direction has not been given.

[J.R.]

The trial continuance is listed on one site only.

[richardb]

That is simply because the judge is doing other work John.

[Janey Jam-Jar]

Thank you for these helpful updates, richardb.

[richardb]

I cannot tell you what is going on.

Lewes Crown Court did not update the case at the end of the day. Every court centre publishes its list fir the next day - Lewes has not published its list for tomorrow.

I am guessing that the trial continues tomorrow. Once I can confirm the position, I will post.

[richardb]

The daily list for Lewes Crown Court for today has finally appeared, timed at 9.17 today.

The case is shown as continuing, along with another case which started yesterday.

The jury has retired again at 10.43 today.

It is highly likely that the judge has NOT given the majority direction yet and so they have not been asked if they have any verdicts.

[richardb]

The press are back onto it:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1 ... ng-pupils/

[richardb]

Still no verdicts. Back tomorrow.

[J.R.]

Still no verdicts. Back tomorrow.

... and there was me, with 'Er Indoors', out with youngest daughter, sitting in front of the screen, expecting something !!

Hey-Ho - Tomorrow is another day.