Guy jury resumes talks this morning

The 11 jurors deciding whether or not Ewen Macdonald murdered his brother-in-law Scott Guy resumed deliberations this morning.

The jury of seven men and four women was sent away to decide Macdonald’s fate after a 90-minute summing up from Justice Simon France at the High Court at Wellington yesterday. They deliberated for five hours before retiring for the night.

Justice France told the jury to put aside any feelings they might have for Mr Guy’s family, who were all in court to watch the final stages of the trial.

‘‘It’s a horrible situation for them to be in, but your focus in the jury room cannot be about achieving closure for them or wanting to get them answers.’’

That same mode of thinking applied to Macdonald’s past indiscretions against his brother-inlaw, which include acts of arson and vandalism, Justice France said.

‘‘This isn’t a trial about character. Whatever you genuinely think about what Mr Macdonald has done in the past is irrelevant.’’

Even though Macdonald had lied to police about committing those crimes, that did not mean he was lying about the murder, Justice France said.

He also urged the jury not to lose sight of the task at hand amid the intense public interest in the case.

‘‘Understandably, this case has been popularly described as a whodunit, but it’s not. What this case is – and all that it is – is an allegation that Mr Macdonald shot Mr Guy.’’

The judge indicated that a majority verdict of 10-1 was an option but he asked the jury to focus on delivering a unanimous verdict for now.

The jury members deliberate in a room behind Courtroom No 1 with only fresh-air breaks when they ask. Lunch is brought in for them. The jurors were free to go home last night. They can take as long as they wish to return a verdict.

The public gallery was packed with mainly family members for the first hour of the day but, as the wait continued, the crowds thinned out.