Five deny McIlveen murder charges
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 12:44The trial of five people for the murder of Michael McIlveen in Ballymena opened this morning at Antrim Crown Court.
Mr McIlveen was attacked in Ballymena town centre in May 2006. He later died in hospital from brain injuries.
A prosecution lawyer has claimed that the Catholic schoolboy, who was known as Micky-Bo, was the victim of a sectarian attack.
The five people from Ballymena who are on trial include a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The other four are 19-year-old Jeff Colin Lewis from Rossdale, 22-year-old Christopher Kerr from Carnduff Drive, 20-year-old Aaron Wallace of Moat Road and 18-year-old Christopher McLeister from Knock Crescent, Ballymena. All five deny the murder charge.
A sixth defendant denies charges of affray and criminal damage.
A jury of eight women and four men has been sworn in at Antrim Crown Court.
They were told that another Ballymena youth has pleaded guilty to murdering Mr McIlveen.
He is in custody awaiting sentence.
