Chester murder trial: Jury retires to consider its verdict

Jul 26 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

A JURY has retired to consider its verdict in a high profile murder case at Chester Crown Court.

The five men and seven women are examining evidence in the case of Jason Howells, 35, accused of deliberately stabbing Fynn Western-Davey in the heart at Howells’ Balmoral Park home on January 23.

Howells denies murder.

Judge Mr Justice Nigel Teare sent the jury out at 2.50pm today (Monday, July 26) on the 15th day of the trial.

The judge said in the first instance he wanted the jury to come to a unanimous decision although he may later accept a majority verdict if this was not possible.

“Do not feel under any pressure to reach a verdict by a particular time,” he said.

Mr Justice Teare said if members of the jury beleived Howells was or may be telling the truth then he must be found not guilty.