TWO MEN are to stand trial for the murder of north Belfast schoolboy Thomas Devlin, a judge ruled yesterday.
Gary Taylor (22) and Nigel Brown (25) were both returned to the Crown Court accused of killing the 15-year-old in a knife attack near his home in August 2005.
Mr Taylor, of Ross House, Mount Vernon, and Mr Brown, formerly of Whitewell Road in Belfast are also each charged with the attempted murder and wounding of Thomas’s friend Jonathan McKee with intent.
The boys were attacked as they returned from a late night trip to buy sweets at a garage in the Fort William area of the city.
During a preliminary inquiry hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court a prosecution barrister argued a prima facie case had been established against Mr Taylor and Mr Brown. It was claimed that police reconstructions, based on CCTV footage of the suspects, fitted closely with the time when Thomas was stabbed to death. A treasury counsel who studied the evidence described it as “compelling” the court heard.
Defence lawyers claimed it was not strong enough, with a senior Crown counsel in Northern Ireland said to back this assessment.
But after taking a week to study the papers, District Judge George Conner said he was satisfied there was enough material to put Mr Taylor and Mr Brown on trial.
With Thomas’ mother Penny Holloway in the public gallery, the accused appeared together in the dock to hear his decision.