May 21, 2008

Jury watch: Sila jury retires for the night

6pm: Justice Fogarty had the court crier inquire about progress, and the jury said there was no prospect of reaching a verdict this evening. Arrangements were made for it to go to dinner and then retire to its hotel rooms for the night. It will resume deliberations at 9am on Thursday.

3.15pm: Jury?got some fresh air with a short collective walk around the block, accompanied by court staff.

2.15pm: By this time, the jury had returned to the jury room to continue its deliberations.

1pm: The jury left the Court House to have lunch together at a restaurant nearby.

11.05am: The jury returned to court for a brief further direction from Justice Fogarty concerning intoxication.

10.45am: The jury retired to consider its verdict.

9.40am: Justice Fogarty began his summing up for the jury in the trial of Lipine Sila, on two charges of murder and eight charges of intentionally wounding partygoers, arising from the Edgeware Road party tragedy last May 5. It is the 19th day of the trial in the High Court at Christchurch.