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Preston, Friday, May 14, 1999, 17.30 GMT
Hung jury in Bread Not Bombs Plowshares case, Preston, England

After 8 days of trial in which the Judge denied the ploughshares legaldefence of trying to stop a crime - in so doing denying the defendants testimony and the calling of witnesses in relation to such a defence - the judge charged the jury very narrowly and sent them out to decide if the defendants were guilty of a "conspiracy to commit criminal damage". The jury which had been disrupted from sitting in court by continual legal argument between judge and defence were sent out at 1 p.m. Thurs May 13th. to reach a unanimous decision. By the 4.30 p.m. they had failed to reach such a decision. On Fri morning 10.30 a.m. they were sent out again this time to reach a majority decision (either 11-1 or 10-2. By 3 p.m. they were called back in to inform the judge that they could not reach such a verdict. After 7 hours 15 minutes of deliberation the judge declared a hung jury.

The Judge then granted bail with one restriction that the defendents could not approach 1/4 mile from Barrow-in-Furness shipyards (they can return to Sweden in the meantime). The defending barrister pointed out that the Trident had left Barrow for its base in Faslane, Scotland so that shouldn't be a problem. The defendants gave no guarantees about their future behavior, only that they would return to court for a second trial if the government wished to preceed. The prosecutor said the government would reserve the right to order a retrial, the judge said the defences raised in the case would be reviewed by the attorney-general over the next week. He set a directions hearing down for Friday at Preston Crown Courts where a new trial could be set and possibly a new venue.
Much peace
Ciaron O'Reilly

Trial day-by-day - Reported by Andrew Hobbs
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Read the complete defence of
Stellan Vinthagen
Ann-Britt Sternfeldt

Review of the solidarity scene around the trial. By Ciaron O'Reilly

Read (and sign) the "Declaration of co-consipracy"