Judge tells jury in Richard Satchwell murder trial they can consider self-defence

The judge said the jury must return a true verdict in accordance with the evidence and not with emotion, sympathy or empathy

The judge told the jurors that they knew Richard Satchwell (pictured) had not given evidence in the case and the accused was under no obligation to do so. File picture

The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who is accused of murdering his wife before burying her beneath their Cork home where her remains lay undiscovered for six years, have been told by the presiding judge that they can consider the issue of self-defence.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott began charging the jury on Monday in the Central Criminal Court trial of Mr Satchwell, aged 58, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell - nee Dingivan - at their home address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork, between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive.