Millican trial opens in Belfast
Prosecution lawyer Neil Connor told Belfast Crown Court that the “pure and simple” case against Fred McClenaghan, from Broad Street, Magherafelt was that he murdered Ms Millican. She was shot dead with a shotgun on March 11, 2011.
No details surrounding the case were given to the jury, save that the trial itself will take four to five weeks, during which they were also told, they would hear from up to 20 main prosecution witnesses, including her daughter, husband and co-workers.
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Hide AdDefence QC John McCrudden also said that the jury may hear evidence from five witnesses on behalf of the defence.
The trial proper will start on Tuesday following an opening prosecution statement outlining the case they hope to prove against McClenaghan.
Before sending the jury away for the day, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy warned them about discussing the case with anyone outside their own number, or of “engaging in private research” on the internet as it might “imperil the trial”.
The judge said it was a normal direction given to juries in all criminal cases and designed to ensure that jurors only decide cases on the evidence and arguement they hear in court and nothing else. Mr Justice Treacy told the jury that they would hear all of the evidence necessary, along with the relevant law, to allow them to come to a verdict.