Jury considers verdict in Opotiki case

Published: 2:27PM Wednesday November 25, 2009 Source: Newstalk ZB

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The jury is considering its verdict in the trial of two teenage girls accused of murdering a retired Opotiki teacher.

Eighteen-year-old Courtney Churchward and a 15-year-old girl have pleaded not guilty to murdering 78-year-old John Rowe last November.

Churchward's defence says she never meant to kill Rowe when she attacked him in his Opotiki home, but simply intended to rob him.

The lawyer for the 15-year-old accused says she was led astray in the attack, which it says was planned and driven by Churchward.

The Crown emphasised Churchward's evidence, in which she openly admitted she wanted to silence Rowe by hitting him.

Before the jury was sent out to deliberate Justice Venning warned the jury to be careful of intercepted phone conversations used as evidence.

He said although the jury would have transcripts of the phone conversations mistakes could be made when interpreting them.

The jury has entered its fifth hour of deliberations.

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