A jury of nine women and three men has been sworn in for the retrial of murder-accused Mrs Catherine Nevin in the Central Criminal Court. The last trial collapsed after nine days when it emerged that the jury's deliberations could be overheard in the public gallery. This morning, Miss Justice Mella Carroll warned potential jurors that they must have an open mind on the case.
Before swearing a jury for the retrial of Mrs Nevin, Miss Justice Mella Carroll asked potential jurors to consider if they had been affected in any way by the publicity that surrounded the murder of Tom Nevin in March 1996 or the first trial of his wife Catherine Nevin. Ten of the panel called to serve on the jury told the Judge that they did not feel they had an open mind. Some said that they felt they might be biased. A number of others sought to be excused because of holiday, medical or family commitments. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
This morning, Catherine Nevin pleaded not guilty to the murder of her husband at Jack White's Inn near Brittas Bay. She also denied three charges of soliciting three named men to murder him on different dates in 1989 and 1990. The start of the trial is still delayed because of legal argument. Last Friday, Miss Justice Carroll imposed a temporary order on newspapers preventing any comment on Mrs Nevin's appearance or demeanour or the publication of any photographs of her.
