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Rhys accused 'admitted shooting' Rhys accused 'admitted shooting'
(about 2 hours later)
A teenager accused of murdering Rhys Jones admitted shooting "a kid" shortly after the killing, a court heard. A teenager accused of murdering Rhys Jones admitted shooting "a kid" shortly after the killing, a court has heard.
The 11-year-old was shot in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on 22 August 2007.The 11-year-old was shot in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on 22 August 2007.
Minutes later Sean Mercer, 18, arrived at a friend's house and said "he had just shot someone", the jury heard. Minutes later Sean Mercer, 18, arrived at a friend's house and said "he had just shot someone", the jury was told.
Liverpool Crown Court was told his real target was rival gang member Wayne Brady. Mr Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder. Liverpool Crown Court heard his real target was rival gang member Wayne Brady. Mr Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder.
The prosecution claims that Mr Mercer, a Crocky Crew gang member, was firing at members of rival gang the Strand Gang, also known as the Nogga Dogz, when Rhys was killed.The prosecution claims that Mr Mercer, a Crocky Crew gang member, was firing at members of rival gang the Strand Gang, also known as the Nogga Dogz, when Rhys was killed.
'Heard shots''Heard shots'
There was "over-arching personal animosity" between Mr Mercer and his alleged target, 20-year-old Mr Brady, a member of the Nogga Dogz, the court heard.There was "over-arching personal animosity" between Mr Mercer and his alleged target, 20-year-old Mr Brady, a member of the Nogga Dogz, the court heard.
Mr Brady was with a friend too young to be named and his cousin Kevin Davies, 19, close to the Fir Tree pub at the time of the shooting.Mr Brady was with a friend too young to be named and his cousin Kevin Davies, 19, close to the Fir Tree pub at the time of the shooting.
He told the court: "I heard gun shots, three, it sounded like three. I got off straight away, I just went the opposite way from where it sounded like they were coming from."He told the court: "I heard gun shots, three, it sounded like three. I got off straight away, I just went the opposite way from where it sounded like they were coming from."
Under cross-examination by Mr Mercer's barrister, Richard Pratt QC, Mr Brady said he used to be friends with his client.Under cross-examination by Mr Mercer's barrister, Richard Pratt QC, Mr Brady said he used to be friends with his client.
Eighteen-year-old Sean Mercer denies murdering Rhys JonesEighteen-year-old Sean Mercer denies murdering Rhys Jones
"We had a little argument years back," he said."We had a little argument years back," he said.
He told the court he could not remember what it was about.He told the court he could not remember what it was about.
He added that their conversations "would be friendly".He added that their conversations "would be friendly".
The jury was told that when Mr Mercer was arrested on 25 August he said he was with a friend - known as Boy K - at the time of the shooting.The jury was told that when Mr Mercer was arrested on 25 August he said he was with a friend - known as Boy K - at the time of the shooting.
Boy K, who cannot be named, denies assisting an offender, two counts of possessing a gun and a charge of possessing ammunition.Boy K, who cannot be named, denies assisting an offender, two counts of possessing a gun and a charge of possessing ammunition.
'Admitted killing''Admitted killing'
Mr Mercer declined to answer any questions on that occasion, or when he was re-arrested in April, Mr Flewitt told the jury.Mr Mercer declined to answer any questions on that occasion, or when he was re-arrested in April, Mr Flewitt told the jury.
But a 16-year-old defendant, Boy M, told detectives that Mr Mercer arrived at his house and admitted the killing, before his bike was collected by another defendant.But a 16-year-old defendant, Boy M, told detectives that Mr Mercer arrived at his house and admitted the killing, before his bike was collected by another defendant.
Mr Flewitt said Boy M "told the police that his grandmother answered the door to Sean Mercer who said that he had just shot someone and that a kid had gone down.Mr Flewitt said Boy M "told the police that his grandmother answered the door to Sean Mercer who said that he had just shot someone and that a kid had gone down.
"Sean Mercer rang James Yates and asked him to come round and he then rang [co-defendant] Gary Kays.""Sean Mercer rang James Yates and asked him to come round and he then rang [co-defendant] Gary Kays."
Boy M, charged with three counts of assisting an offender, "accepts most of what is alleged against him" but claims he is not guilty of the offences because he was "acting under duress", Mr Flewitt said.Boy M, charged with three counts of assisting an offender, "accepts most of what is alleged against him" but claims he is not guilty of the offences because he was "acting under duress", Mr Flewitt said.
Earlier, the court heard that the bicycle used by the gunman to flee the scene was linked directly to Mr Mercer.Earlier, the court heard that the bicycle used by the gunman to flee the scene was linked directly to Mr Mercer.
James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Mr Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Mr Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender, along with two youths aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified.James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Mr Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Mr Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender, along with two youths aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified.
The sixth accused person, another 17-year-old youth, also denies possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.The sixth accused person, another 17-year-old youth, also denies possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.
The trial continues.The trial continues.