UK - (Christopher Halliwell) Rebecca Godden-Edwards, 21, Swindon, 27 Dec 2002

[jessie]

Thanks for that detail of CH's closing speech Legally Bland. What a circus this is.

I don't think I got all the Pros. summing up, so if anyone can find more tweets on it that would be good to read also?

Anticipate the Judge's summing up, advice to the jury, their deliberations and decision will all happen on Monday then.

No doubt the Judge wants to make absolutely sure there will be no reason for an appeal after (assuming he's found guilty of course )

so will prepare his summing up with great care..

 

[Alyce]

I am so disappointed at that too.
Expect the Judge has his reasons. ?

I suppose, if he had summed up today, he would have allowed a break before he began. So that would take them up to early lunch time.
Then, by the time he finished it would probably be end of the court day, so Jury would go home without having any time to deliberate.

I expect it will all be over by Monday afternoon, with a verdict.

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 16m16 minutes ago

Court now filling up in what could be the final day of Christopher Halliwell's murder trial. He denies killing Becky Godden.

A quick plug before things get started - whatever day the jury reach their verdict, there will be a special @bbcpointswest at 18.30 on BBC1

Judge to jury: it was Mr Halliwell's decision to defend himself and not have the legal representation to which he was entitled.

Judge: you must not speculate as to why he refused that help. It has no bearing on the verdict

Judge: he will be guilty of the murder of Becky Godden if he killed her with the intention of killing her.

Judge: his intention must be inferred by what he did before and after the killing

Judge: you should form a view as to the likely time of her killing and judge whether the defendant was an associate of hers at that time.

Judge: the prosecution submit he killed Becky Godden and that he intended to kill her. They rely on his alleged confession to police of a murder they knew nothing about.

Judge: they submit there are clear similarities between the two murders (of Sian and Becky).

Judge: the prosecution submits that his attempts to explain away his confession to Det Supt Fulcher do not make sense.

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 4m4 minutes ago

Judge: they submit that the story of the two drug dealers was a very recent fabrication

Judge: at the moment there is a chance he could be released on license. If convicted he would never be released.

Judge: Halliwell submits that Becky's body was found 33ft from the place he indicated. The grave was not 5ft deep as he had suggested, but was rather 6-8 inches deep.
He says the scientific examination of the soil samples was flawed.

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 31s32 seconds ago

Judge: it would be wholly wrong if you were to conclude that just because he murdered Sian O'Callaghan he also murdered Becky Godden.


Siobhan Robbins Sky Verified account ‏@SiobhanRobbins 26m26 minutes ago

Judge says Becky Godden's life was "no less valuable" because of her involvement in drugs and prostitution.

 

[Alyce]

Judge: the prosecution say both victims were young, attractive, similar build. Both disappeared early hours. Both got in taxis. Sexual motive for both, say prosecution.
Both deposited in isolated rural locations. Becky naked, Sian partially clothed. ...

Judge: does killing of Sian have such similar features to earlier killing of Becky that it proves his propensity to murder ?

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 2m2 minutes ago

Halliwell is sitting very still, in silence, listening to the judge summing up. Becky Godden's mum, dad and step-family in public gallery.


Sian O'Callaghan's mother is also watching proceedings, from the glass-walled public gallery overlooking the courtroom.

 

[Alyce]

Other journos also in court today


Adele Robinson Verified account ‏@SkyNewsAdele Sep 16

I'm at Bristol Crown Court for the trial of Christopher Halliwell, 52, accused of murdering Becky Godden between 2003 - 2005.

Rupert Evelyn ‏@rupertevelyn 26m26 minutes ago

Back in court for trial of Christopher Halliwell. He denies the murder of Becky Godden

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 1m1 minute ago

Judge is going through points of law with jury. 'Adverse inferences' tricky to explain here, but basically's about inconsistencies in story.

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 2m2 minutes ago

Judge now starting to summarise the evidence.

 

[UKWend]

Thank you for the updates

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 10m10 minutes ago

Judge has concluded his summary of prosecution case. Now beginning to summarise defence case.

 

[Alyce]

The Breeze SouthWest ‏@breezesouthwest 9m9 minutes ago

#BeckyGodden trial: Judge starting to summarise defence case. Halliwell said he had no reason to lie and what he did to Sian was 'inhumane'

 

[Alyce]

The Breeze SouthWest ‏@breezesouthwest 8m8 minutes ago

#BeckyGodden trial: Halliwell claims drug dealers buried Becky and he led police to there to get revenge on the officer who'd arrested him

#BeckyGodden trial: Halliwell said officer had made threats to his children if Halliwell didn't tell him where Sian was

#BeckyGodden trial: Halliwell denied he made up the story in the hope of being cleared of Becky's murder and having a chance of release

#BeckyGodden trial: Halliwell denies sexual motive for Sian's murder

#BeckyGodden trial: Judge concludes summing up

 

[Alyce]

Andrew Plant ‏@BeebJournalist 1m1 minute ago

Judge has finished summarising defence evidence. That concludes his summary. Now advising jury to select a foreman.

Jury being sent out to consider its verdict.

 

[Mellowmelly]

Thanks for all the updates on this case, I have been following it on sky news but it hasn't been reported on every day. I was looking for updates on the web and came across this site, hence why I have joined.
IMO he is guilty as hell and is enjoying being in the limelight. He has all the traits of a psychopath. I hope the jury make the right decicision and justice is served for Becky.

 

[mrazda71]

Thanks for all the updates on this case, I have been following it on sky news but it hasn't been reported on every day. I was looking for updates on the web and came across this site, hence why I have joined.
IMO he is guilty as hell and is enjoying being in the limelight. He has all the traits of a psychopath. I hope the jury make the right decicision and justice is served for Becky.

Welcome to Websleuths

And ... I couldn't agree with you more!

 

[Cherwell]

Hopefully the jury will be back as soon as they've all been to the loo and scoffed the sandwiches and coffee.

 

[Mellowmelly]

Thanks mrazda 👍🏾

 

[mrazda71]

Hopefully the jury will be back as soon as they've all been to the loo and scoffed the sandwiches and coffee.

They might also be having a few rounds of eye spy or something to pass the time til they can say they've discussed it for the set minimum amount of time