GRANDAD MURDER TRIAL STARTS
JURY SWORN IN AS MAN STANDS ACCUSED OF SUNDERLAND KILLING
The trial of a man accused of the murder of a Sunderland grandfather was due to start today.
Daniel Johnson, 21, is accused of the murder of David Wilson, 49, who died in Southwick in December 14 2014.
The trial of a man accused of the murder of a Sunderland grandfather was due to start today.
Daniel Johnson, 21, is accused of the murder of David Wilson, 49, who died in Southwick in December 14 2014.
At Newcastle Crown Court a jury was selected and sworn in yesterday and then told the case would start today.
Mr Justice Males told them: “The prosecution will open the case, tell you what it is all about and what the prosecution say the allegations are.
“It will get properly under way then.”
Jurors were told the trial is expected to involve more than 50 witnesses.
No details about Mr Wilson’s death, or Johnson’s alleged involvement in it, were outlined.
Johnson, of Howe Street, Gateshead, denies murder.
Mr Wilson grew up in Hetton and attended the town’s comprehensive school.
A popular member of the community, he was a keen cricketer who went on to have spells playing for Eppleton and East Rainton cricket clubs’ first teams.
As well as working as assistant manager of the Milburngate shopping centre, in Durham City, not long after it opened, he was also a special constable with Northumbria Police.
He also had spells working as a postman and a ticket inspector on the railways.
Speaking after his death, his brother Ian said: “He was very for the public David and a lot of people have verified that.
“He was always welldressed and served the community of Hetton and Houghton as a special constable for quite a few years.
“A lot of people from Hetton are still asking us about him whenever we see them.”
Mr Wilson is believed to have moved to Sunderland city centre about eight years ago and was helping out as a volunteer in a kitchen in Tatham Street at the time of his death.
He had only moved into the flat in Southwick just three weeks before he was killed.
The trial is expected to continue today.
For further updates from court today, log on toour website www.sunderlandecho.com.
“He was very for the public, a lot of people have verified that” IAN WILSON