JURORS will deliberate for a second day after failing to reach a verdict on Tuesday for a defendant on trial for murder.
The jury retired at 4pm on Monday to consider whether Luke D’Wit, 34, is guilty of murdering Stephen and Carol Baxter.
D’Wit, of Churchfields, West Mersea, denies the charges against him, and after the closing speeches were delivered Monday, jurors started deliberating on Tuesday morning at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Shortly before 4pm, a note from the jury was then handed to Judge Nicholas Lavender stating the jurors were too tired to continue deliberating.
The court assembled at 3.52pm, when Judge Lavender told the court: “I don’t think I’ve received a note like this before, but it reads ‘We are all mentally tired and need a break’.”
Judge Lavender said he felt it was a valid reason for the jurors to stop deliberating for the day and return with “fresh minds” on Wednesday morning.
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