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Jurors have been unable to achieve a verdict within the homicide trial of a person accused of killing his girlfriend and leaving her physique in a shower for eight months.
Sarah Gatt’s physique was found by police in January 2018, but it surely’s alleged her on-and-off once more boyfriend Andrew Baker murdered her someday in April 2017.
Justice Jane Dixon on Friday discharged 12 jurors after they have been unable to achieve a unanimous verdict.
Jurors had notified the court docket on Thursday that they didn’t suppose they might attain an agreed verdict, however she urged them to persist.
On Friday a single juror wrote a be aware to the decide, prompting her to discharge the entire group.
She famous the excessive stage of misery that they had skilled in attempting to achieve a unanimous verdict and excused them from being on a jury once more.
Justice Dixon urged them to half in peace and goodwill.
A retrial will likely be scheduled at a later date.
Prosecutors had alleged Baker killed Ms Gatt someday between April 19, 2017, and his 50th birthday 4 days later.
Her reason behind loss of life couldn’t be decided due to the size of time earlier than her physique was discovered.
She was partially bare, wrapped in energy cords and lined with a hair dryer, a lamp and different home goods. A grey stuffed bear was positioned in direction of her head.
Prosecutor John Dickie argued her homicide, a month earlier than her 40th birthday, was motivated by Baker’s jealousy.
Ms Gatt additionally had an on-off relationship with a lady named Leona Rei-Paku, who Baker’s lawyer John Saunders argued was an alternate suspect.
Each relationships have been violent, the court docket was instructed.
“Andrew Baker didn’t homicide Sarah Gatt. He’s not answerable for her loss of life,” he mentioned.
Justice Dixon earlier needed to discharge a single juror within the case after he admitted attempting to flirt with a journalist exterior court docket.
Jurors are instructed to not communicate to anybody concerned or linked with a case.
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– AAP
