A JURY of eight women and four men was picked yesterday to try six Co Antrim men and a juvenile in connection with the murder of Ballymena schoolboy Michael McIlveen.
The 15-year-old died from brain injuries the day after he and a friend were attacked by Protestant youths on May 7th, 2006.
Prosecuting counsel John Orr told Antrim Crown Court the incident began at the cinema and leisure centre at Larne Link.
Mr Orr said CCTV captured a large group of youths, including the accused, and Michael and two friends. There was a chase and Michael and one of his friends were attacked. The other friend escaped into the rear of a house.
The six accused of the murder are a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, 19-year-olds Jeff Colin Lewis of Rossdale and Mervyn Wilson Moon, of Douglas Terrace; Christopher Francis Kerr (22), Carnduff Drive; Aaron Cavana Wallace (20), Moat Road, and Christopher Andrew McLeister (18), Knock Crescent, all Ballymena. The seventh defendant is Paul Edward David Henson (18), of Condiere Avenue, Ballymena, who denies charges of affray and criminal damage.