Jury begin deliberations in trial of Stephen Silver for murder of Garda Colm Horkan

The possible verdicts the jury can consider relate to capital murder, murder simpliciter, or manslaughter either because of diminished responsibility or self-defence

Stephen Silver (pictured) gave evidence that a struggle ensued between them before he fell to the ground, and in the process of getting up he felt the gun on Gda Horkan’s hip. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

A jury at the Central Criminal Court have begun their deliberations in the trial of Stephen Silver, who is charged with murdering Garda Colm Horkan by shooting him 11 times with the garda’s own gun.

Ms Justice Tara Burns on Monday told the jury of seven men and five women that the possible verdicts they could consider relate to capital murder, murder simpliciter, or manslaughter either because of diminished responsibility or self-defence. She said that a verdict of not guilty is not open to them in the case as Mr Silver has entered a plea to the charge of manslaughter.