Jury to rehire in murder trial

The jury in the trial of a Co Down man accused of murdering a retired schoolteacher is expected to retire today to consider its…

The jury in the trial of a Co Down man accused of murdering a retired schoolteacher is expected to retire today to consider its verdict.

Mr Richard Close (24), a Gulf War veteran, denies killing Ms Daphne Taylor (59) on a coastal path near Bangor or December 1st, 1994.

The trial judge, Mr Justice McCollum, has still to finish his address to the jury at Belfast Crown Court.

Mr Close, of Ballymaconnell Road, Bangor, claimed Ms Taylor was stabbed in the neck as they fought over a pocket knife as she tried to prevent him committing suicide.