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Rhys co-accused mother's evidence Mother testifies against Rhys boy
(about 1 hour later)
The mother of a boy accused as part of the Rhys Jones murder trial has given evidence against him.The mother of a boy accused as part of the Rhys Jones murder trial has given evidence against him.
The mother of 16-year-old Boy M, who cannot be named, said defendant Sean Mercer showed up at her house after the killing of 11-year-old Rhys.The mother of 16-year-old Boy M, who cannot be named, said defendant Sean Mercer showed up at her house after the killing of 11-year-old Rhys.
She told Liverpool Crown Court he had not been there for four months before the shooting on 22 August 2007.She told Liverpool Crown Court he had not been there for four months before the shooting on 22 August 2007.
Mr Mercer, 18, of Croxteth, denies murder. Boy M is one of six who deny assisting an offender.Mr Mercer, 18, of Croxteth, denies murder. Boy M is one of six who deny assisting an offender.
The woman, who also cannot be named, told the jury that Mr Mercer was joined at her house about 20 minutes later on the night of the killing by two of his co-defendants, James Yates, 20, and Nathan Quinn, who turned 18 on Monday and can now be named publicly. The woman, who also cannot be named, told the jury Mr Mercer was joined at her house about 20 minutes later on the night of the killing by two of his co-defendants, James Yates, 20, and Nathan Quinn, who turned 18 on Monday and can now be named publicly.
After her son was initially arrested and released, Mr Mercer arrived at her house to speak to her son but she did not hear the conversation, the court was told.After her son was initially arrested and released, Mr Mercer arrived at her house to speak to her son but she did not hear the conversation, the court was told.
Charges deniedCharges denied
She added that Mr Mercer also rang the house to speak to her son on 3 September when the police were at the house to take her statement. She added Mr Mercer also rang the house to speak to her son on 3 September when the police were at the house to take her statement.
Her son "was afraid of being called a grass", she told the jury.Her son "was afraid of being called a grass", she told the jury.
Richard Pratt QC, for Sean Mercer, said his client was not at Boy M's house that night.Richard Pratt QC, for Sean Mercer, said his client was not at Boy M's house that night.
"Do you accept that could be a possibility?" he asked the boy's mother.
"No," she answered.
"Another possibility is that you could be lying," said Mr Pratt.
Rhys was shot outside The Fir Tree pub in CroxtethRhys was shot outside The Fir Tree pub in Croxteth
"What have I got to lie for?" said the witness. Under cross-examination from the boy's barrister, Tim Clark, the mother told the court her son had been diagnosed with ADHD aged 11.
Under cross-examination from the boy's barrister, Tim Clark, she told the court her son had been diagnosed with ADHD aged 11.
When he was under pressure his memory worsened, he became frustrated and would become angry and unpleasant, said Mr Clark.When he was under pressure his memory worsened, he became frustrated and would become angry and unpleasant, said Mr Clark.
His mother said: "He would say things without thinking and do things without thinking."His mother said: "He would say things without thinking and do things without thinking."
The court heard how in 2006 he gave police the names of friends who had fired a gun and they were investigated for attempted murder.The court heard how in 2006 he gave police the names of friends who had fired a gun and they were investigated for attempted murder.
'Beaten up' Mr Clark told the court that Boy M was subsequently beaten up for naming members of the Croxteth Crew to police and windows of the family home were smashed.
Mr Clark told the court that Boy M was subsequently beaten up for naming members of the Croxteth Crew to police and windows of the family home were smashed because he was a grass. 'Seven stone'
After being beaten up, he stopped taking medication for his condition, became reclusive and lost weight.After being beaten up, he stopped taking medication for his condition, became reclusive and lost weight.
"He was just seven stone, three stone lighter than he should have been," said Mr Clark."He was just seven stone, three stone lighter than he should have been," said Mr Clark.
The court was played a recording made from inside the boy's house two weeks after Rhys's death.
The boy's mother is heard arguing with a number of people including her son.
She is heard to ask: "If Mercer's got nothing to hide why is he saying he wasn't here?"
A voice is heard telling her to tell the police she "had got the wrong day" and "I think you better think again".
A woman and a man are heard talking about the killing in a conversation riddled with swearing.
The woman said: "I feel for that woman so much, I was in tears."
A male voice then says: "I am going to be away for years".
Son 'terrified'
Mr Clark told the court one of the women on the recording - parts of which were inaudible - was Nathan Quinn's mother, Maria Quinn.
He said Boy M's mother was subjected to a sustained attempt to change her account.
He said: "Maria Quinn said you should be lying and your son was joining in with her trying to get you to change your account."
The witness, who did not know her house was bugged, said her son was "terrified of what will happen to him after this trial".
She agreed with Mr Clark that she had told the truth, and started to cry.
Boy M denies three counts of assisting an offender - namely, dumping the murder weapon, bike and clothes used during the killing.Boy M denies three counts of assisting an offender - namely, dumping the murder weapon, bike and clothes used during the killing.
He refused to join his six co-defendants this morning because he did not want to see his mother give evidence, the jury was told.He refused to join his six co-defendants this morning because he did not want to see his mother give evidence, the jury was told.
Mr Quinn, 18, of Croxteth; Mr Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive - both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender alongside boy M.Mr Quinn, 18, of Croxteth; Mr Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive - both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender alongside boy M.
A 17-year-old boy is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges.A 17-year-old boy is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges.
The trial continues.The trial continues.