Jurors considering whether a pensioner murdered a woman at her home failed to reach a decision last night.
Judge Michael O’Grady QC told the jury at the High Court in Edinburgh in the trial of 71-year-old Michael Taylor shortly after 4pm on Wednesday afternoon that they should stop deliberating and go home.
Mr Taylor, whose address is given in legal documents as being a prisoner of HMP Inverness, is accused of murdering Elizabeth Muir, also known as Mackay, in Inverness last year.
Judge O’Grady told the ladies and gentlemen that they will re-start their considerations at 10am today. They had been considering their verdict since yesterday morning.
Prosecutors allege that between March 28 2016 and March 31 2016, Mr Taylor assaulted Elizabeth by seizing hold of her body and hair at her home in Kintail Court, Inverness,.
It is claimed that Mr Taylor repeatedly punched her on the head and caused her to fall to the ground.
The Crown alleges that Mr Taylor repeatedly punched her on the head and caused her to fall to the ground.
The Crown also alleges that Mr Taylor then repeatedly struck Elizabeth on the head and body with a “blunt” object before removing her clothing and handling her breasts.
Prosecutors also allege that Mr Taylor bit her breast and that he did “murder her.”
Mr Taylor has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The trial continues.
