Constance Marten – latest updates: Jury discharged in manslaughter trial of aristocrat and partner Mark Gordon
Aristocrat and partner Mark Gordon denied killing their newborn Victoria while on the run from authorities
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A jury has failed to reach verdicts in the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon over the death of their newborn baby.
Marten, 37, and Gordon, 50, have been on trial for manslaughter since January after their daughter Victoria died the previous January while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions.
The couple were on the run for nearly two months despite repeated public appeals for their whereabouts. Following their arrest, Victoria’s remains were found in a Lidl shopping bag in an allotment shed in Brighton, East Sussex, last March.
The couple denied charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria between 4 January and 27 February last year and causing or allowing the death of a child. They also denied charges of perverting the course of justice by concealing her body, along with concealing the birth of a child and child cruelty.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC discharged the jury at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, almost six months after the trial began, and following more than 72 hours of deliberation.
Marten and Gordon may face a retrial.
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Marten and Gordon may face a retrial
Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon may face a retrial.
The jury at the Old Bailey was discharged on Wednesday after failing to reach a verdict.
Jurors deliberated for total of 72 hours and 33 minutes
The jury in the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon deliberated for a total of 72 hours and 33 minutes.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC discharged jurors at the Old Bailey on Wednesday after they began deliberating on 30 April.
The trial began on 25 January.
Full story: Jurors fail to reach verdicts
A jury has failed to reach verdicts in the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon.
Marten, 37, and her partner Mark Gordon, 50, have been on trial for manslaughter after their newborn daughter Victoria died while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions.
The couple denied charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria between 4 January and 27 February last year and causing or allowing the death of a child.
Crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin at the Old Bailey and Holly Evans report:
Jury in manslaughter trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and partner discharged
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon had denied charges over the death of their newborn daughter Victoria
Judge says he will write to each juror to thank them for their service
Judge Mark Lucraft KC said he would write to each of the jurors to thank them for their service and they would be excused from serving on a jury for the rest of their lives.
The Recorder of London said they had shown “truly exceptional examples to the dedication of public service” since the trial began in January.
He discharged the jury on Wednesday after it failed to reach verdicts.
Jury discharged in manslaughter trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon
A jury has failed to reach verdicts in the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner.
Marten, 37, and her partner Mark Gordon, 50, have been on trial for manslaughter after their daughter Victoria died while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions.
The couple denied charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Victoria between 4 January and 27 February last year and causing or allowing the death of a child.
They also denied charges of perverting the course of justice by concealing her body, along with concealing the birth of a child and child cruelty.
A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for 72 hours and 33 minutes but was unable to reach verdicts.
The Recorder of London Judge Mark Lucraft KC discharged the jury on Wednesday, almost six months after the trial began.
Jury resumes deliberations
The jury has resumed its deliberations in the trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon at the Old Bailey.
The pair both deny manslaughter by gross negligence of their baby daughter Victoria after weeks on the run.
Jury retires until tomorrow
The jury in the Old Bailey trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon has been sent home for the day.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC told jurors to return to resume deliberations at 9.30am tomorrow.
The pair both deny manslaughter by gross negligence of their baby daughter Victoria after weeks on the run.
Jury resumes deliberations
The jury has resumed its deliberations in the Old Bailey trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon.
The pair both deny manslaughter by gross negligence of their baby daughter Victoria after weeks on the run.
Jury retires for couple weeks
The jury in the Old Bailey trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon has been sent home for a couple of weeks.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC told them to return to resume deliberations on 17 June.
The pair both deny manslaughter by gross negligence of their baby daughter Victoria after weeks on the run.