Jury to consider verdict on Rhys shooting

A jury is expected to be sent out today to consider its verdict in the trial of a teenager accused of gunning down British schoolboy Rhys Jones.

Rhys, 11, was shot dead outside the Fir Tree Public House in Croxteth, Liverpool, on August 22 last year.

The prosecution claims Sean Mercer, (aged 18), is a member of the Croxteth Crew gang and blasted three shots across the pub car park after targeting members of a rival gang.

Innocent Rhys, who was making his way home from football practice, walked into the line of fire and as shot in the neck.

He died in his mother’s arms at the scene a short time later.

Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder and says he was at a friend’s home watching a DVD when Rhys was killed.

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, deny assisting an offender along with Boy M, (aged 16), and Boy K, (aged 17), who cannot be identified.

The prosecution say after the shooting, Mercer cycled to the home of Boy M, where he called on the others to help him avoid the law.

They say Mercer, Yates, Quinn and Kays were then driven by Coy to a lock-up garage on an industrial estate where his clothes were burned and his body washed down with petrol.

A key witness, known as Boy X, has told Liverpool Crown Court Mercer gave him the suspected murder weapon, a Smith and Wesson .455 revolver, to hide.

X also said Boy K, who supports Mercer’s alibi, later moved the gun to another hiding place where it was found by police.

Mr Justice Stephen Irwin is expected to conclude his summing up of the two-month-long trial by mid-morning.