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| Baby methadone death trial halted | Baby methadone death trial halted |
| (2 days later) | |
| The trial of two heroin addicts accused of killing their baby son with an overdose of methadone has been halted. | The trial of two heroin addicts accused of killing their baby son with an overdose of methadone has been halted. |
| Mark Bate, 33, and 23-year-old partner Gemma Fennelly are charged with the manslaughter of 22-month-old Mitchell Bate in Hartlepool in September 2005. | Mark Bate, 33, and 23-year-old partner Gemma Fennelly are charged with the manslaughter of 22-month-old Mitchell Bate in Hartlepool in September 2005. |
| On Tuesday, Judge Peter Fox told the jury at Teesside Crown Court that there had been some complications with expert evidence due to be heard. | On Tuesday, Judge Peter Fox told the jury at Teesside Crown Court that there had been some complications with expert evidence due to be heard. |
| A new trial is now due to be held in April 2007. | A new trial is now due to be held in April 2007. |
| The court was due to hear from toxicology experts, but Judge Fox said there had been problems with the evidence and they would require further investigation. | The court was due to hear from toxicology experts, but Judge Fox said there had been problems with the evidence and they would require further investigation. |
| He said it was regrettable but stressed that the facts needed to be right before a trial could proceed. | He said it was regrettable but stressed that the facts needed to be right before a trial could proceed. |
| The defendants both deny the manslaughter of their son. | The defendants both deny the manslaughter of their son. |