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Open verdict at Menezes inquest | Open verdict at Menezes inquest |
(20 minutes later) | |
The jury at the inquest into the mistaken shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes has returned an open verdict. | The jury at the inquest into the mistaken shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes has returned an open verdict. |
Two officers shot Mr de Menezes seven times as he sat on a train at Stockwell Underground station, south London. They thought he was a suicide bomber. | Two officers shot Mr de Menezes seven times as he sat on a train at Stockwell Underground station, south London. They thought he was a suicide bomber. |
The jury returned the verdict after deliberating for a week. | The jury returned the verdict after deliberating for a week. |
A solicitor for the Menezes family said it was the best verdict they could hope for, given that unlawful killing was not on offer. | |
The jury of 10 were asked specific questions about whether or not a series of events on 22 July 2005 contributed to the 27-year-old's death. | |
A majority of the jury said that they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire. | |
A majority of the jury said that they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire Key people at the Menezes inquest | A majority of the jury said that they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire Key people at the Menezes inquest |
Turning to Mr de Menezes' actions, they said they believed he had stood up from his seat before being shot - but they did not believe he had moved towards the first officer to open fire. | |
His family had earlier withdrawn from the inquest after the coroner said the jury could not return a verdict of unlawful death at the hands of police. | |
Sir Michael Wright, the coroner at the three-month-long inquest at the Oval Cricket Ground in London, said the facts did not justify allowing the jury to consider an unlawful killing. | |
Throughout the inquest, Metropolitan Police officers told the hearings they honestly believed the Brazilian was one of the four failed bombers who attempted to strike London on 21 July 2005. | Throughout the inquest, Metropolitan Police officers told the hearings they honestly believed the Brazilian was one of the four failed bombers who attempted to strike London on 21 July 2005. |
Mr de Menezes' family and supporters challenged this version of events, saying they wanted answers to why surveillance officers could not identify the man they were following - and why two specialist officers shot the electrician at close range. | Mr de Menezes' family and supporters challenged this version of events, saying they wanted answers to why surveillance officers could not identify the man they were following - and why two specialist officers shot the electrician at close range. |