Garda murder case jury must use 'common sense' in weighing expert evidence, judge says

Mr Justice McDermott told the jury that Stephen Silver's plea means that a not guilty verdict is not available

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright (pictured) said that the accused was suffering at the time from bipolar affective disorder, a mental illness that diminished his responsibility. File picture Collins Courts

A Central Criminal Court judge has told the the jury in the trial of Stephen Silver, who denies murdering Garda Colm Horkan, that they must use "common sense" in weighing the evidence of two consultant psychiatrists who differed on the accused man's mental state at the time he shot the detective.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the seven men and five women that they are not bound by the expert evidence, and they are entitled to prefer one psychiatrist's evidence over another.