Murder trial hit by delay
A murder case has been plunged into fresh mystery with another six- month delay.
Grandad Arthur Green, 60, was killed in his home on November 2014.
A new trial date has been set for November 22 this year – an incredible TWO YEARS and two days since Arthur’s body was found.
The High Court Justiciary Office confirmed the case was not called in Edinburgh last Friday as “all parties agreed the trial was not ready to proceed”.
Now Arthur’s sister Gina Sweeney has called for an outside investigation into the length of the delay.
She said: “Something needs to be done – this can’t go on. They didn’t tell us until late on Thursday afternoon.
“The procurator fiscal said last time the trial would go ahead one way or the other on Friday – my lawyer has sent a letter asking who stopped it and why it has been changed.
“There’s been something not right since day one. It’s like they are protecting something and to hell with us.
“I’ve never heard of a murder trial taking two years. This is a joke.
“The family are up in arms and this is a disgrace.”
Three men are accused of Arthur’s death, at Pleasantfield Road, Prestwick Toll, and remain out on bail. Harry Hood, from Ayr, and brothers Dale and Ross Russell, from Maidens, have been charged with Arthur’s murder.
On Monday the High Court’s Justiciary Office confirmed: “The case did not call as all parties agreed the trial was not ready to proceed. A new date of November 22 2016 has been set.”
The case has been dogged by controversy TURN TO PAGE 5
Something needs to be done – this can’t go on