Found Deceased UK - Lindsay Birbeck, 47, Accrington, 12 Aug 2019 *Arrest* #2

[jamjim]

11:45
Jury panel is now being brought into court
The jury panel in the case is now being brought into court.

They will be asked to fill in a jury questionnaire before 12 members are randomly selected.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[Alyce]

Just having a look at Twitter to see what journos are covering.

So far, only these two links

North West News
@HeartNWNews
·
1h
A 17-year-old boy accused of murdering teaching assistant Lindsay Birbeck from #Accrington is due to stand trial today. The mum-of-two's body was found in Accrington Cemetery last August, 12 days after she went missing. #HeartNews



Capital North West News
@CapitalNWNews
·
1h
A 17 y/o boy accused of murdering teaching assistant Lindsay Birbeck from #Accrington is due to stand trial today. The 47 y/o's body was found in Accrington Cemetery last August, 12 days after she went missing. #CapitalReports

 

[Alyce]

Just having a look at Twitter to see what journos are covering.

So far, only these two links

North West News
@HeartNWNews
·
1h
A 17-year-old boy accused of murdering teaching assistant Lindsay Birbeck from #Accrington is due to stand trial today. The mum-of-two's body was found in Accrington Cemetery last August, 12 days after she went missing. #HeartNews



Capital North West News
@CapitalNWNews
·
1h
A 17 y/o boy accused of murdering teaching assistant Lindsay Birbeck from #Accrington is due to stand trial today. The 47 y/o's body was found in Accrington Cemetery last August, 12 days after she went missing. #CapitalReports

 

[jamjim]

11:49
Trial will last up to 3 weeks and will not sit on March 6
Her Honour Mrs Justice Yip has told the jury panel in waiting that the trial could last up to three weeks and is expected to be finished by Friday, March 13.

She said the trial will definitely not sit on Friday, March 6, and there could be other days.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:57
Jury panel given questionnaire and selection criteria
The jury panel in waiting has been told to complete the questionnaire and raise any ‘good reasons’ why the could not be considered for selection.

These can include and pre-booked holidays or other personal commitments which would affect their attendance.

The Judge said there must also be nobody in the jury panel who has any knowledge of the case.

The jury have been told details of the defendant and Lindsay Birbeck.

Prosecutor David McLachlan QC has also given the jury panel a list of around 50 trial witness names and other people connected with the case, including family members and police officers or crime scene investigators, who the jury panel must not know in order to be considered.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[Alyce]

50 witnesses

 

[jamjim]

11:59
Judge will assess the questionnaires

The Judge said once the questionnaires are completed she will consider the responses and bring a smaller jury panel back into court.

The final 12 jurors will then be selected.

She has also told the jury panel in waiting to make no research into the case or the names they have just heard.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[SpursGyal]

50?! Wow.

 

[Mommysleuth11]

Is the 50 including or excluding family, police officers etc?

I know it states 50 witnesses but could it be a list of 50 names connected to the case including witnesses, family etc?

Info reported from trials always seems somehow bitty.

 

[jamjim]

12:04
Judge looking for a pool of 20 potential jurors
The Judge said she is looking to reduce the number of potential jurors from around 40 to 20 before they will be brought back into court.

The prosecution are expected to open the case today..

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

12:22
Court adjourned
The court has now been temporarily adjourned for the jury panel to complete the questionnaires.

We will bring you the latest updates when they return.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[Sally4x]

Is the 50 including or excluding family, police officers etc?

I know it states 50 witnesses but could it be a list of 50 names connected to the case including witnesses, family etc?

Info reported from trials always seems somehow bitty.

How many of the 50 saw him with the wheelie bin?

 

[Alyce]

Is the 50 including or excluding family, police officers etc?

I know it states 50 witnesses but could it be a list of 50 names connected to the case including witnesses, family etc?

Info reported from trials always seems somehow bitty.

I think it will cover everyone. Also, could mean potential witnesses I guess and some may not actually be called.

 

[Mommysleuth11]

How many of the 50 saw him with the wheelie bin?

God, it makes me feel sick. Frightful.

 

[jamjim]

13:21
Court will resume after lunch

The court has adjourned for lunch and will sit again at 2.15pm.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

14:02

Welcome back

Good afternoon.

The court has now reopened and the case is set to resume shortly.

The first order of business this afternoon will be selecting a jury.

The public and press gallery is again full and the defendant is in the dock.

We are waiting for the judge to enter.

 

[jamjim]

14:06
Jury about to be selected

The Judge has said 18 potential jurors have been selected after completing the earlier questionnaire.

The jury panel is now entering court.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

14:12

Jury sworn in
Eleven women and one man have been chosen to sit on the jury.

They have all been sworn in.

Her Honour Mrs Justice Yip is now giving them directions about their roles and responsibilities in the case.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

14:14

Prosecution case will open tomorrow

The Judge has told the jury that the prosecution case will be opened at 10.30am tomorrow morning.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

14:18
Defendant has 'moderate learning disabilities'
The Judge has told the jury that the defendant has ‘moderate learning disabilities’ and will be helped during the trial by an intermediary.

She said: “Her role is to help the defendant and follow what is being said in court and let me know if he has any difficulties in understanding what is going on.”

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates