Juror's detective work ends trial

by Dave Keating | August 19, 2008 at 04:08 am

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A trial in the UK has fallen apart after a juror tried to do his own detective work into the case. Outside of the trial, the juror went on his own to visit the site and conduct other investigations.

A manslaughter trial collapsed after a juror admitted undertaking his own investigation into the case.

Dale Paterson, 18, of Sunderland, was on trial over the death of a 72-year-old taxi driver who suffered a heart attack in a dispute over a fare.

But the hearing was stopped on its sixth day after it emerged a juror had visited the scene on his own and conducted other research into the case.

Judge David Hobson dismissed the jury at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

It is alleged cabbie Raymond Quigley, of Gateshead, died in a struggle as Mr Paterson tried to flee the scene without paying in Ryhope, near Sunderland, on 2 September.