Court hears statements of accused
CLOSING speeches were made in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a father who was found with gunshot wounds in a lay-by in the Cynon Valley.
Edward Bennett, 47, and his brother Stephen Bennett, 53, have been standing trial at Cardiff Crown Court where they deny killing Mark Jones.
Mr Jones was found injured on the A4059 in Mountain Ash on July 26 last year. He died in hospital two months later.
Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC gave his closing arguments on Monday, as the trial entered its sixth week.
Mr Clee told the jury: “While in his car, Mark Jones was shot twice at close range.
“The two people responsible, the prosecution say, are these men – Edward Bennett and Stephen Bennett.”
The court heard the incident occurred at about 7.30pm when 43-year-old Mr Jones, who worked as a valuation officer for HMRC, was in a lay-by known locally as Lletty Turner Bends.
Prosecutors suggest Edward Bennett shot Mr Jones, while Stephen Bennett provided the gun, helped with the planning and supported his brother in carrying out the shooting.
Mr Clee said to the jurors: “You will come to the decisions in this case based on the evidence you have heard.
“What you make of the evidence is entirely for you to determine.”
He suggested Mr Jones and Edward Bennett were both involved in drugs and that the defendant was “in debt” to Mr Jones.
The prosecutor reminded the jury the younger brother had lost his job in April last year and applied for several loans, as he was more than £1,000 in debt.
Police recorded finding a text message sent from Edward Bennett to his brother asking: “Have you still got that thing? Cut it down and we’ll use it.”
Prosecutors submit the message was about a gun, but the defendants claimed it was a “purely innocent” message about decking.
Mr Clee told the jury: “You will no doubt give that message very careful consideration and decide what it means.”
The prosecutor suggested Edward Bennett’s application for a £60,000 loan proved he was in “dire financial straits” and becoming “increasingly desperate”.
He added Edward Bennett was “keen” to meet with Mr Jones on the day of the incident, despite having no money to pay him back.
The court heard after the incident, Edward Bennett deleted Mr Jones’ numbers from his phone.
Prosecutors said Stephen Bennett was linked to the incident by forensic evidence on his shoe.
Mr Jones was interviewed by police in his hospital bed and told officers: “[Edward Bennett] just got in the car and shot me.”
He said Stephen Bennett picked him up after he was shot.
On Tuesday, closing speeches from the defence took place, with Peter Griffiths QC representing Edward Bennett addressing the court during the morning.
Mr Griffiths said that in order to convict Edward Bennett of murder, the jury must be satisfied so they are sure that firstly, it was him who discharged the firearm and secondly, at the time, he either intended to kill or cause serious injury.
Mr Griffiths told the jury: “In our submission, the prosecution’s case when analysed, as we ask you to do, with care, it is riddled with inconsistencies.
“One factor doesn’t hang together with another. There are illogicalities and contentions that