Darren Steel: Man accused of murdering his brother Martin is to face re-trial after jury fails to reach verdict
The jury at Swansea Crown Court had deliberated for nearly 12 hours before they were discharged by Judge Paul Thomas KC.
Sky News, Thursday 29 February 2024
A jury has been discharged after it failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a man accused of his brother's murder.
Darren Steel, 39, allegedly murdered his older sibling, Martin, in Swansea last year.
He also faces the alternative charge of manslaughter.
Steel now faces a re-trial at a later date after jurors told the judge at Swansea Crown Court that, even with additional time, they were unlikely to reach verdicts on which at least 10 of them agreed.
The court heard Mr Steel's body was found by their mother in a blood-soaked chair.
Steel told the court the fight which led to his brother's death was in self-defence and he had not meant to kill him.
The jury had deliberated for nearly 12 hours before they were discharged by Judge Paul Thomas KC.
The defendant was convicted of a count of ABH in relation to his partner Dawn Begley and was cleared of another count of ABH.
He had earlier been convicted of unlawfully wounding a friend, Julien Samuel, but cleared of a charge of wounding with intent.
Judge Thomas told the jury "I shall discharge you from further deliberations", adding that "these things happen".
"From time to time, juries cannot come to a verdict, and it is not a reflection on you or the way you have performed your duties," he went on.
A further hearing is due to be held on 8 March when a new trial date will be set.
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