THE JURY in the Melissa Mahon murder trial was yesterday sent home for the evening following two-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
Mr Justice Barry White told the six men and six women to return to the Central Criminal Court at 10.30 this morning to resume its deliberations.
Ronald McManus (44), also known as Ronnie Dunbar, of Rathbraughan Park, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 14- year-old in September 2006. He also denies threatening to kill one of his daughters, Samantha Conroy.
Melissa Mahon went missing from the care of the Health Service Executive on September 14th, 2006.
Her skeletal remains were found by gardaí on the shore of Lough Gill in February 2008 after the accused man’s daughter spoke to gardaí.
The jury heard evidence during the 23-day trial that the accused killed the schoolgirl, placed her body into a sleeping bag and dumped it in the river Bonet.
Samantha Conroy said her father had been having a sexual relationship with Melissa.
Samantha and her younger sister gave evidence via video link.
The jury also heard from two of Melissa’s friends who said that she had taken a pregnancy test which was positive.