Defense says Leece must be found not guilty

Mon, 16 Aug 2010

Douglas Courthouse

The defence in the Demesne Road murder trial says there's no way the jury can be sure of the defendant's guilt.

35 year old Simon Paul Leece is charged with murder, manslaughter and eight counts of arson.

The prosecution claims Leece used paint thinners to accelerate the fire at Demesne Road.

However, Anthony Berry QC claims Leece wouldn't have thrown away the empty paint thinner bottles in his own bin if he was guilty.

Mr Berry adds that Leece would have disposed of the trainers he was wearing on the night.

A print matching a pair of Leece's shoes was found at the scene of the fire on Peveril Street.

Leece is accused of starting four fires, one leading to the death of Terry Losh.

Deemster Birkett will begin summing up the case to the jury tomorrow morning.