Rugby rape trial: Jury released for the day without reaching a verdict
The jury in the rape trial of two Ireland rugby players has been released for the day without reaching a verdict.
The eight men and three women deliberated for more than two hours this afternoon. They had also sent a list of questions to the judge, the court was told.
Judge Patricia Smyth said: "Because of the critical state that you are at in the trial, I have to tell you in particular that you may not speak to anyone about this trial.
"Do not let anyone speak to you. Do not look at the press. Do not look at social media. Do not look at Twitter."
Jurors' questions would be answered tomorrow, the court heard.
Issuing a further warning, Judge Smyth added: "Only deliberate when all 11 of you are together. Only speak about this trial when all 11 of you are present. I am going to release you and we will meet tomorrow at 10. Thank you very much."
The case has been adjourned.
Jurors at the rape trial of two Ireland rugby international players must reach their verdict after considering all of the evidence, a judge has said.
The eight men and three women were sent out to start their deliberations at 12.40pm today.
Judge Patricia Smyth told Belfast Crown Court: "Members of the jury, the only verdict that I can accept is a unanimous verdict and that is a verdict in respect of which all 11 of you agree."
Paddy Jackson (aged 26) from Oakleigh Park in Belfast and his Ireland and Ulster teammate Stuart Olding (aged 25) from Ardenlee Street in the city deny raping the same woman at a house in south Belfast on June 28, 2016.
Jackson denies a further charge of sexual assault.
Two other men have also been on trial on charges connected to the alleged incident.
Blane McIlroy (aged 26) from Royal Lodge Road, Belfast, denies exposure while Rory Harrison (aged 25) from Manse Road, denies perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
Thanking the jury panel, Ms Smyth added: "Thank you all sincerely for stepping out of your own lives and coming here to give us your time."
The high-profile trial was originally scheduled to last for five weeks but has now entered its ninth week.
Jurors have heard evidence from 30 witnesses, including the four defendants.
Closing speeches by prosecution and defence legal teams finished last week.
The judge spent over an hour today issuing legal direction before sending the jury out to deliberate.
They were told to consider the case for and against each defendant separately.
They must also take into account all of the evidence, including testimony provided by the defendants which has to be assessed in the same way as any evidence, the judge said.
Jurors were also advised that if evidence bears upon the case of another defendant that person may have an interest of their own.
It is a matter for the jury to determine whether someone "may have tailored his evidence accordingly".
Ms Smyth added: "It is entirely for you to decide."
Meanwhile the judge also told the 11-person panel they had to determine whether inconsistencies in accounts from the defendants "amounted to a lie".
Ms Smyth said: "People lie for all sorts of reasons and the defendants are no different."
Reasons include panic or confusion, the court heard.
Referencing text and WhatsApp exchanges, Ms Smyth said jurors must consider all of the messages that have been sent by all of the young people in the case.
"Consider all the possible innocent interpretations before you reach your final conclusion."
She also told the jury they could decide what, if any, weight they attached to good character evidence presented in respect of each defendant.
Meanwhile, alcohol consumption must also be taken into account. Ms Smyth said: "All defendants have told you that they were drunk on the evening of June 27, 2016.
"It is important that you do not leap to the conclusion that just because the defendants were drinking that they were prepared to engage in non-consensual sex."
Throughout the hearing all four defendants, dressed in dark suits, shirts and ties sat side by side in the glass dock in the middle of the courtroom number 12, one of the biggest in the Laganside complex.
The public gallery was also packed to capacity.
A jury in the rape trial of two Irish rugby internationals is expected to begin their deliberations later.
A judge at Belfast Crown Court has told the eight men and three women she has almost completed her legal direction and the case has reached a critical stage.
At the end of a hearing on Monday Judge Patricia Smyth said: "This will not take a long time tomorrow morning. Then you will be asked to go out and begin your deliberations."
Paddy Jackson (aged 26) from Belfast's Oakleigh Park and his Ireland and Ulster teammate Stuart Olding (aged 25) from Ardenlee Street in the city deny raping the same woman after a night out in June 2016.
Jackson denies a further charge of sexual assault.
Two other men have been on trial on charges connected to the alleged attack.
Blane McIlroy (aged 26) from Royal Lodge Road, Belfast has pleaded not guilty to exposure while Rory Harrison (aged 25) denies perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
The high-profile trial was originally scheduled to last for five weeks but has now entered its ninth week.
Some 30 witnesses have given evidence, including the four defendants.
The complainant was in the witness box over the course of eight separate days.
Closing submissions were made by prosecution and defence barristers last week while the judge began her summing up on Friday.
Ms Smyth also spent several hours reviewing evidence from the case yesterday.
Proceedings are expected to get underway at 10am today - half an hour earlier than usual.
The case continues.
