May 19, 2008

Edgeware Road murder evidence finished

All evidence has finished in the five-week trial of Lipine Sila on murder and wounding charges arising from the Edgeware Road party tragedy.

The defence closed its case this morning, and the crown was then allowed to recall three of its own witnesses.

Legal argument then took place without the presence of the jury, and Justice Fogarty said closing addresses by counsel would begin at 9am tomorrow.

Sila, a 23-year-old factory hand from Mairehau, faces charges of murdering two schoolgirls who were struck by his car as he drove away at speed from the out-of-control party on May 5 last year.

He also denies eight charges of wounding or causing grievous bodily harm to other people struck by the car.

The crown says the injuries were caused as he deliberately sped through the crowd, but the defence says Sila was in a blind panic after being attacked in the roadway near the car.