Jury fails to reach verdict in Quigley trial

A 37-year-old Derry man accused of the murder of a pregnant mother-of-four in July last year could face a retrial after the jury failed to agree on a verdict.

Stephen Cahoon, of Harvey Street in Derry, had admitted killing his ex-girlfriend Jean Quigley but denied a charge of murder and claimed it was an accident.

The jury had been told it could convict him of either murder or manslaughter, but on its third day of deliberation the jury foreman said a majority verdict could not be reached.

Mr Cahoon makes legal history by being the first person to be tried by a jury in the south for a non-terrorism related offence carried out in Northern Ireland.

Jean Quigley's battered and strangled body was found at her home in Cornshell Fields in Shantallow by her mother on 26 July 2008.

She had just broken up with Mr Cahoon after a brief but intense relationship and was pregnant with his child. He disappeared after the killing and was found in Donegal 11 days later.

Mr Cahoon admitted killing Ms Quigley but said it was an accident.

He said they had a row and he snapped and grabbed her by the throat.

However, the prosecution alleged it was a planned attack, saying he had not phoned before turning up at Jean Quigley's home at 2am. An internal front door had been allegedly forced open.

There was evidence of ripped clothing and injuries to the victim's body, head and face.

Parcel tape, handcuffs and a sock that could have been used as a gag were also found.

Mr Cahoon had claimed that some of these had been used during a sex game.

On its third day of deliberation the jury failed to reach a majority verdict and was discharged. The case was adjourned to 30 November next to set a date for a retrial.