Jury discharged in trial of Constance Martin and Mark Gordon

[DontThinkJustDo]

They couldn't agree the verdict. I'm really shocked.

They must have heard much more than we know, To me it appears to be quite a simple one that they seem guilty, but there must be much more to it.

What happens now?

Does that mean they'll have to have a retrial? I'm not sure what happens in this case.

Honestly it has dragged on so long I think the trial just stalled. I have to say I felt the prosecution were misguided in their approach, especially their aggressive dismissal of the pathology findings re date of death.

I doubt they'll be a retrial due to expense. Really disappointing outcome :-(

Blimey. Now what happens?

So they’re going to get away with it. Horrendous

There's a really good podcast on BBC Sounds called In Court which goes into detail about the trial

The CPS have to decide if they want to seek a retrial. I suppose they will have to think of they can do a better job of presenting their case with another trial.

I feel for the jury. Must have been a very difficult one to hear, and then not even have the resolution of being able to return a verdict. I'm glad they've been excused any further jury duty in future.

Wow! I’ve followed it via the bbc podcast and was waiting for the verdict. They both sound so arrogant (I know that is not a crime) but I agree the prosecution don’t seem to have been great with this one

The daily mail one, while hated on MN, goes into more detail.

The jury had been deliberting for a long time. Having listened to the podcast and judges direction I think I would have struggled to have come to a decision based on the evidence within the parameters of the law.

Agree, not a DM reader but the podcast that was at one point reporting daily was very good

It’s heartbreaking that there might be no justice for the death of that poor baby. Her parents put her in an extremely unsafe situation over a long period and she ended up dead. So that’s surely at least neglect, and probably more.

The podcast was very good - very clear.

I despair about the level of intelligence of some people on a jury - if you have ever done jury service it is an eye opener

Beyond shocked at this result - the jury have had weeks - and a 2 week break to go on holidays etc

I also follow on the podcast. Agree they come across as very arrogant. CM pushes back very confidently when questioned.

The first charge was failure to register a birth and they were clearly guilty of that and the judge directed the jury to find them guilty of this. I can’t remember the exact nature of the 3 other charges.

I despair about the level of intelligence of some people on a jury

I agree.

I also hope CM doesn't have anymore children.

The general rule is that a first retrial will follow unless the evidence in the first trial is somehow no longer reliable/witnesses have withdrawn.

Given the seriousness of the allegation I suspect that they will seek a retrial. They would usually confirm that today or very shortly as it will already have been thought about.

When there has been a podcast of a trial can the accused say a retrial would not be fair?

@crumblingschools - I think that the parameters of the podcast will have been carefully considered to ensure it is not biased. People can sit in the public gallery so it’snot a hidden / closed trial.
However - it’s a good point

There had to be some sympathy votes on the jury who got more caught up in the the of shopping bag the baby was in or the type of tent - unbelievable

What defence was being offered? That the death occurred while they weren't there so anything could have happened?

The podcast hasn’t reported anything which hasn’t been in the papers.

I agree - if it didn't have the logo you'd have no idea, the tone is very different - factual and considered.

Baby was warm enough as it was inside microclimate of Mum’s coat, baby died from SIDS before it got really cold.

Well, they're certainly guilty of failing to register the birth of a child! Even though they plead not guilty to this.

That was one of the charges. How did they not even get charged with this? It's bizzare.