JURORS in the trial of two men and a woman charged with the murder of 19-year-old Zain Sailsman have retired to consider their verdict.
The Honourable Mr Justice Jay ended his summary of the five-week trial at Chester Crown Court on Thursday afternoon.
Charles Beadell, 22, of Buckfast Close, Macclesfield, Julia Howard, 36, of Shaw Street, Macclesfield, and Ricky Jervis, 23, of Dale Crescent in Congleton, all pleaded not guilty to murdering Zain. Miss Howard also denies perverting the course of justice.
Zain, from Macclesfield, died after being found on Bullocks Lane in Sutton at around 6.45pm on October 30, last year.
A post mortem examination revealed that he died from a single stab wound.
During the trial prosecutors said Zain was lured into a trap by the three defendants and stabbed as a punishment for stealing a shotgun to pay off a debt.
In his defence Mr Jervis claimed he saw Mr Beadell pull out a knife and stab Zain, while Mr Beadell claimed Zain was killed by another man who they were meeting to buy drugs from.
Co-defendants Dale Thompson, 20, denies perverting the course of justice; Patrick Jordan, 19 ; and Cade Spence, 20, deny firearms offences.
Three other co-defendants have pleaded guilty to charges. Jake Powell, 23, Beech Lane, Macclesfield, admitted perverting the course of justice, Daniel Galloway, 25, from Macclesfield, and William Dale, 25, of Shepherd Street, Biddulph, to involvement in the firearms offence.
- Updated: Mr Spence was later cleared by the court.
