New jury chosen for men accused of murdering teenager

A JUDGE yesterday began the process of choosing a fresh jury to try six men charged with the rape and murder of teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan in Reading, England.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Justice Penry-Davey discharged a jury of eight women and four men who had heard the opening of the case at Reading Crown Court last Friday.

After beginning the process of selecting a new jury, the judge told potential jurors that the trial, which began on Friday, had to stop and the jury be discharged. The potential jurors were not given the reason for the move.

Six men, all from south and west London, were in the dock ahead of the trial which is due to begin afresh today.

The accused are 20-year-old painter Adrian Thomas, of Battersea; 24-year-old student Llewellyn Adams of Balham; 18-year-old Indrit Krasniqi, of Chiswick; 19-year-old Michael Johnson, of Southfields; and brothers Joshua and Jamaile Morally, 23 and 22, of Balham. All deny charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnap, rape and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mary-Ann and an 18-year-old friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were allegedly abducted in Reading, Berkshire, on the night of May 6-7 last year. After being subjected to a violent ordeal including sexual assault, the friends were allegedly taken to Reading’s Prospect Park, where Mary-Ann was stabbed to death. Her friend was shot, but survived.