Judge halts trial of man accused of raping and murdering barmaid Keeley Bunker after juror suffers panic attack while listening to details of the crime
- Wesley Streete, 20, has denied raping and killing Keeley last year
- Juror suffered panic attack after listening to the first day of evidence
- Judge Jeremy Baker discharged jury and said new one would be formed
A judge has halted the trial of a man accused of raping and murdering his barmaid friend after a juror had a panic attack listening to the graphic evidence.
Tragic Keeley Bunker, 20, was discovered at a park in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on September 19 last year, after she went to see rapper Aitch with a pal.
Jurors heard on Monday she was killed by “trusted” friend Wesley Streete, 20, who then tried to cover up her body with branches in Wiggington Park.
Keeley Bunker, 20, was discovered at a park in Tamworth, Staffs, on September 19 last year
But on the second day of the trial at Stafford Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Baker halted the proceedings after a female juror fell ill listening to the evidence.
He said: “I have been made aware this morning of a difficulty with one of the jurors who has reported this morning that she was affected by hearing the opening during the course of yesterday and feels overwhelmed by the prospect of continuing the trial today.
“I have asked the court clerk and the jury officer who are both extremely experienced have a word with her.
“They have done so and are quite satisfied there is no question she is in any way feeling unwell. It is not to do with Covid.
“It is simply the emotional response to the matters which were divulged in the opening.”
Streete, of no fixed address, has denied murder and two further counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and a charge of sexual activity with a child, against three other victims, all said to have happened in previous years.
Wesley Streete, 20, has denied murder and a number of other charges put towards him
Discharging the jury, Judge Baker told them: “You will have noticed one of your number is not here today.
“The reason for this is that a lady this morning has reported to the jury officer that having listened with care yesterday, as you all did, to the opening of the case that unfortunately she finds that although she had read the questionnaire which described the outline of the case when it came to the details of it she felt herself unable to consider properly the matter of the trial in order to bring a true verdict at the end of the trial.
“Obviously this is an emotional prospect for members of the jury and as she has raised it at this early stage I have decided that the safest course is to discharge this lady from being a member of the jury in this case.
“Can I reassure you although she has suffered from panic attacks this morning she has not reported any symptoms to do with Covid-19.
Police searched for Keeley at Wiggington Park in Tamworth, Staffordshire, last year
“It is simply the emotional impact.
“It seems to be much better to start with a full contingent of jurors.
“Therefore I am going to discharge all of you from being members of the jury in this trial and ask you to go back to the jury room.
“There will be a short delay before the selection takes place in the court room.”