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Soham jury sworn in

Soham jury sworn in

The 12 jurors who will try the case of Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr were sworn in at the Old Bailey today.

The pair appeared in the dock to witness the jury of seven women and five men being sworn in at the historic court Number One.

Former caretaker Huntley, 29, denies murdering 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman from Soham in Cambridgeshire.

The 12 jurors were selected from a 25-strong panel of potential jurors.

Trial judge Mr Justice Moses began the hearing by saying: “Out of your number, 12 are going to be chosen by ballot.

“Remember what I told you – that the case could last, worst case, until the end of January, so you have to be free to sit till then.”

The names of 13 people were read out by the clerk and they each approached the judge in turn.
One potential juror was dismissed after a brief conversation with the judge and the other 12 entered the jury box.

The clerk informed Huntley and Carr: “The names you are about to hear are the names of the jurors who are to try you.

“If you object to any of them, you must object to them before they come to be sworn and your objections will be heard.”

Huntley denies two counts of murder but has already admitted a single charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Former teaching assistant Carr, 26, denies one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice and two of assisting an offender.

Both have been in custody since their arrests on August 17th last year.

The case has been adjourned until tomorrow when the prosecution is expected to set out its evidence.