Rhys 'gunman' was watching DVD at the time, court told

A defendant on trial in connection with the killing of 11-year-old Liverpool boy Rhys Jones trial says he was at home with accused gunman Sean Mercer watching a documentary about the rapper 50 Cent when the schoolboy was killed, a court was told today.

The jury at Liverpool Crown Court was read transcripts of police interviews with Boy K, who cannot be named and is accused of assisting an offender.

He told police that on August 22 last year, Mercer was with him when Rhys, 11, was shot dead as he crossed the car park of the Fir Tree public house in Croxteth, Liverpool.

The prosecution says Mercer, (aged 18), was a member of the Croxteth Crew gang and fired three shots at alleged members of rival group, the Strand Gang.

The jury has been told the second bullet hit Rhys as he made his way home from football practice.

Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, Liverpool, denies murder.

James Yates, (aged 20), of Dodman Road and Nathan Quinn, (aged 18), of Wickett Close, both Croxteth; Gary Kays, (aged 25), of Mallard Close and Melvin Coy, (aged 24), of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender along with Boy M, (aged 16), and Boy K, (aged 17), who cannot be named.

All six deny the charges.

When Boy K was interviewed three days after the murder he told police Mercer arrived at his home between 6.30pm and 7pm and stayed there watching the 50 Cent DVD until between 8pm and 8.30pm.

Rhys was shot at around 7.30pm.