Murder accused won't give evidence

Fri, 13 Aug 2010

Douglas Courthouse

A man accused of murder will not give evidence in his trial.

The defense in the trial of Simon Paul Leece will now open on Monday.

The prosecution asked for amendments to be made to the charges against Leece.

The charge of arson with intent to endanger life at Demesne Road has been replaced with a manslaughter charge.

A ninth charge of plain arson has been introduced in relation to the fire at Bucks Road.

The jury will be instructed to return not guilty verdicts on charges of arson with intent to endanger life, and being reckless so as to endanger life at the Bucks Road address.

Leece is accused of starting four fires in Douglas in March last year, one of which resulted in the death of Terry Losh.

He denies all the charges against him.

The trial is expected to conclude next week.