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Rhys jury urged to mull evidence Rhys jury urged to mull evidence
(about 2 hours later)
Jurors in the Rhys Jones trial were told to "consider carefully" the credibility of the prosecution's star witness at Liverpool Crown Court.Jurors in the Rhys Jones trial were told to "consider carefully" the credibility of the prosecution's star witness at Liverpool Crown Court.
In his summing up, Judge Justice Stephen Irwin recapped evidence given by Boy X, a protected witness, who has testified against the defendants.In his summing up, Judge Justice Stephen Irwin recapped evidence given by Boy X, a protected witness, who has testified against the defendants.
Sean Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, is accused of murdering Rhys, 11, on 22 August 2007.Sean Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, is accused of murdering Rhys, 11, on 22 August 2007.
Boy X has claimed Mr Mercer gave him the murder weapon after the shooting.Boy X has claimed Mr Mercer gave him the murder weapon after the shooting.
Everton fan Rhys was shot dead outside the Fir Tree pub as he walked home from football practice.Everton fan Rhys was shot dead outside the Fir Tree pub as he walked home from football practice.
Mr Mercer denied murder and said he was at a friend's home watching a DVD when Rhys was killed.Mr Mercer denied murder and said he was at a friend's home watching a DVD when Rhys was killed.
Six others deny assisting an offender.Six others deny assisting an offender.
'Not blameless''Not blameless'
They are James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road and Nathan Quinn, 18, of Wickett Close, both Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool; and with Boy M, 16, and Boy K, 17, who cannot be identified.They are James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road and Nathan Quinn, 18, of Wickett Close, both Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool; and with Boy M, 16, and Boy K, 17, who cannot be identified.
Boy K is also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition. All the defendants deny all charges.Boy K is also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition. All the defendants deny all charges.
Mr Justice Irwin told the jurors: "Please concentrate on the credibility and evidence of [Boy X].Mr Justice Irwin told the jurors: "Please concentrate on the credibility and evidence of [Boy X].
"You might on one view reach the conclusion that he was not blameless, worthy of being prosecuted rather than being given immunity. But that is not the point. The point is, do we believe the evidence he has given?""You might on one view reach the conclusion that he was not blameless, worthy of being prosecuted rather than being given immunity. But that is not the point. The point is, do we believe the evidence he has given?"
The court has been told Boy X was initially treated as a suspect in the murder investigation.The court has been told Boy X was initially treated as a suspect in the murder investigation.
He was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for his account of the movements of Mr Mercer and the Smith and Wesson 455 revolver which prosecutors said was used to shoot Rhys.He was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for his account of the movements of Mr Mercer and the Smith and Wesson 455 revolver which prosecutors said was used to shoot Rhys.
Boy X also said defendant, Boy K, who supports Mercer's alibi, later moved the gun to another hiding place where it was found by police a month after the killing.
The gunman was either riding Mercer's bike or an identical bicycle Judge Justice Stephen Irwin
Justice Irwin also asked the jury to consider whether the Smith and Wesson revolver was the gun used to kill Rhys.
In week three of the trial, weapon expert Angela Shaw said it was possible the police had recovered the wrong gun.
But the prosecution said other evidence indicated it was the murder weapon and it had been Sean Mercer who fired it.
"Unless you are sure it was the murder weapon, you cannot be sure Sean Mercer was the gunman," added the judge.
Mr Mercer did not return to court on Tuesday afternoon. His counsel had earlier said he was feeling unwell.
Mr Yates also complained of illness and did not return to the hearing after a break in the morning proceedings. For the same reason Boy M did not attend court at all.
Turning his attention to the gunman's bicycle, the judge said all the evidence pointed to the gunman using a mountain bike very similar to Mr Mercer's bike.
He said: "The gunman was either riding Mercer's bike or an identical bicycle.
"It is for you to decide."
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday when the jury are expected to to begin deliberating the verdict.