GUILTY UK - Louise Smith, 16, Havant, Hampshire, 8 May 2020 *Arrest*

[HollyHunter9]

I'd not seen anywhere until today about the witness saying they saw a man with his top off. I couldn't tell if they thought it was SM or someone else? But it does perhaps show that it was hot that day and some men tend to remove their tops when hot, which possibly explains lack of blood/evidence on SM clothes.

The defence seemed to keep focusing on the "fact" that L took SM on the walk and she led the way, doesn't really matter who said what to who about going for a walk she still ended up dead at the end of it.

Also, if like SM claims he couldn't remember what he'd done or where louise was...why make up the story about the skate park? If he couldn't remember, they'd be no need to lie.

Yes, I agree josie, I too was surprised the defence made such a bold accusation against CJ, especially when she hasn't been involved in the trial whatsoever. Surely of all the witnesses she would've been the most important? I do find it puzzling that she wasn't a witness for either the defence or the prosecution.

 

[Justice4all9]

15:05JAMIE PHILLIPS
Defence questions prosecution story

Mr Langdon QC questions the prosecution's statements that Shane Mays led Louise to Havant Thicket.

What sort of girl was Louise? One of the central mysteries is how did he persuade her, if he did, to walk with him on that afternoon. Did Louise have a mind or will of her own? Was she timid? Did she do what she was told or was she someone who for a combination of reasons related to her character and deprivation of love from those who have cared for her, was someone who would do as she pleased and do something for any length of time she did not want to do?

Was she vulnerable, certainly, but was she volatile? Did she have a mind of her own? And if she did not want to do something, how easily would she be persuaded?

Louise Smith murder trial updates as jury told to put 'strong emotions' aside

Its horrific to hear someone defending a monster. Louise's social media filled in all the blanks. She 'needed' weed, and Shane knew that, it was his Ace card to lure her off and get what he needed. She was vulnerable and he was a sexual predator. We all know this

 

[Bethan]

I feel for the members of the jury.....it will have been traumatic for them to be involved in a case of this nature. I hope they are offered counselling.

 

[Harchmare]

10:50JAMIE PHILLIPS
Good morning
The jury in the murder trial of Louise Smith is expected to be sent out to begin deliberating today (December 8).

After both sides gave their closing speeches on Monday (December 7), Judge Mrs Justice May will sum up the case for the jury before they are sent out to deliberate on a verdict.

Shane Mays, 30, has already pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but is charged with murder.

We will be providing live updates from today's proceedings in this blog.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

10:53JAMIE PHILLIPS
What happened in court yesterday?
As mentioned, James Newton-Price QC, prosecuting, and Andrew Langdon QC, defending, gave their respective closing speeches to the jury on Monday.

For a full breakdown of yesterday's proceedings, follow the link below.

Louise Smith was subjected to 'excruciating' pain before death, murder trial hears

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

10:56JAMIE PHILLIPS
A little bit about jury deliberations

The 12 jurors are not allowed to discuss the trial with anyone outside of the deliberation room until it is finished, as is the case for anyone summoned for jury service.

After giving a verdict, jurors must also not discuss what happened in the deliberation room, even with close family. However, you can discuss evidence that was presented in court, as this is in the public domain.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

11:03JAMIE PHILLIPS
Court in session
The jury is now in court and proceedings are now underway.

Judge Mrs Justice May will now begin summing up all the evidence that was presented in the case. We expect this to take around an hour.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

5 minutes ago
Judge sums up facts
The court has resumed at around 11am today and Mrs Justice May is summing up the facts, starting with the evidence about Louise.

The judge says the 16-year-old was training to be a veterinary nurse, had a social worker and had anxiety and depression, for which she was medicated.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

11:18JAMIE PHILLIPS
Judge runs through evidence given by witnesses
Mrs Justice May is currently running through evidence given by each witness, including Louise Smith's boyfriend Bradley Kercher and the teenager's friends.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

1 minute ago
‘Unusual behaviour’
Mrs Justice May is reminding jurors of evidence that Louise’s boyfriend Bradley Kercher thought it ‘unusual behaviour’ that Louise, on Mays’ account, that she went to Emsworth skatepark and was uncontactable on her phone.

Mr Kercher said she was ‘always on her phone’ and ‘she had no life except for her phone’.

Louise Smith trial: Live updates as judge in Shane Mays case sums up case

 

[Harchmare]

11:22JAMIE PHILLIPS
The day of Louise's disappearance
Mrs Justice May is speaking about the events of the day Louise Smith went missing.

This includes the time Louise was reported missing to police and the times Shane left the flat claiming he was going out to look for her.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

11:36JAMIE PHILLIPS
Evidence of body being burned.
The jury is now being reminded of evidence that attempts had been made to burn Louise's body.

The officers that discovered the body during a "slow and methodical" search of Havant Thicket described the body as being "torched".

Flammable liquids were also found on the body.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

59 seconds ago
Injuries
Mrs Justice May is summing up the evidence about injuries Louise suffered heard during the trial.

Pathologist Dr Basil Purdue found Louise had been hit with ‘several heavy blows’ and the ‘first blow may have rendered her unconscious,' the judge said.

Dr Purdue said the cause of death was ‘unascertained’ as it was impossible to know what injury had killed Louise.

Louise Smith trial: Live updates as judge in Shane Mays case sums up case

 

[Harchmare]

2 minutes ago
DNA
Jurors are being reminded of the DNA evidence heard in the trial relating to a stick found at the scene in Havant Thicket and blood spots on Mays’ white Adidas trainer.

Louise Smith trial: Live updates as judge in Shane Mays case sums up case

 

[Harchmare]

3 minutes ago
Mays’ evidence
Mays told jurors he was ‘happy’ that Louise 'finally opened up to me’ on the walk to Havant Thicket, a walk in which he said she took the lead, jurors are being reminded.

The defendant said it was Louise’s idea to go into the clearing and told the prosecutor ‘there’s a little track there,' said the judge who is summing up Mays’ evidence.

Mrs Justice May said the 6ft defendant’s account was that Louise hit him with a branch to his left side in the ribs, so he grabbed it from her and threw it to the ground before punching her in the face. The first punch knocked her to the ground, he said, and he then ‘stood over’ her repeatedly punching the 5ft teenager.

Mays said Louise ‘caused loads of trouble’ when she went missing on May 7 and he was still ‘stressed’ from this, the judge says.

‘I lost control,’ Mays said. He agreed he was punching her ‘full on in the face’.

Louise Smith trial: Live updates as judge in Shane Mays case sums up case

 

[Harchmare]

12:07JAMIE PHILLIPS
Judge issues instructions to jury
Judge Mrs Justice May is issuing her final instructions to the jury.

Did Shane Mays intend to kill or cause serious harm to Louise Smith? If your answer is no, you will find him not guilty of murder. If your answer is yes, you will find him guilty of murder.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Harchmare]

12:12JAMIE PHILLIPS
Jury bailiffs being sworn in
The jury bailiffs, these are the court ushers who monitor the jury during deliberations, are now being sworn in.

The jury are now in the process of being sent out.

Louise Smith Murder trial updates as jury to begin deliberations

 

[Skigh]

Any guesses for how long the jury will be out?
I think they will decide in under 5minutes,but wait for an hour to show they sat and discussed matters.

 

[Harchmare]

4 minutes ago
Jury given one question to answer
Mrs Justice May tells the jury they have one question, to decide if Shane Mays had ‘intended either to kill or cause her really serious bodily injury? If your answer is yes then you will find him guilty of murder. If your answer to that is no, then you will find him not guilty’.

Louise Smith trial: Live updates as judge in Shane Mays case sums up case

 

[whatawaster]

Anxiously waiting for a verdict. Thanks for the updates Harchmare.