Double murder trial enters legal argument

The trial of a 25-year-old man for the double murder of a student couple in Dublin two years ago has entered what is expected to be a week of legal argument.

In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Yu Jie (aged 25), with a last address at McKee Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Liu Qing (aged 19) in an apartment at Blackhall Square, off North King St., Dublin 7, between 6pm on March 12, 2001 and 3am on March 14, 2001.

Mr Yu also denies the murder of Ms Liu's boyfriend, Mr Yue Feng (aged 19) between 1pm on March 12 and 3am on March 14 in the same place.

Counsel for the DPP alleges that Yu Jie strangled Yue Feng and Liu Qing on March 12 2001, and then returned shortly before 1am on March 14 to burn their bodies, in an attempt to conceal what he had done.

As the trial entered its 14th day of prosecution evidence today, it emerged that a juror was absent due to illness.

The court decided to commence the resolution of legal issues in the absence of the jury, and Mr Justice Abbott told the jurors he expected that they would return to the trial on Thursday of next week.