Show Notes
In today’s sitting at the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard about evidence taken from Ashling Murphy’s Fitbit smart watch. She was wearing it on the day she died, and it tracked her heart rate and exercise route along the canal in Tullamore on the afternoon of 12th January 2022. The jury also heard from a friend of Jozef Puska who gave him a lift home to Mucklagh that evening. Separately, a Garda Sgt gave evidence about the statement Mr Puska made to them about being "set upon and assaulted by two men" when he said he arrived in Blanchardstown to meet a woman. Mr Puska is on trial for Ashling’s murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
More from All Rise: The Riad Bouchaker Trial
It has been over three months since Riad Bouchaker was found guilty of all charges arising from the Parnell Square knife attack, and everyone was back in court today for his sentence hearing. His defence put forward their pleas in mitigation, and we also heard from some of the victims, and their families.
Yesterday, the jury found Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts. He’ll be sentenced on a later date but in this episode, Frank and Aisling are joined by two of the other court reporters who have been covering this trial: Deborah Naylor, Courts Correspondent with Virgin Media News, and Eoin Reynolds, Court Reporter at Ireland International News Agency. In this extended episode, they pore over the key evidence, explore how things unfolded in Court 19, and explain the elements of this case that the jury didn't hear.
Four hours and forty-two minutes – that’s how long it took the jury to make their minds up. And they found Riad Bouchaker guilty on all counts.
The jury is out. After weeks of evidence, the nine men and three women began their deliberations this afternoon. The judge asked them to approach their task “logically and forensically” and to leave emotion or sympathy at the door.
The jury heard closing speeches today – a final chance for both the prosecution and defence to address them. Alternative verdicts will be open to them in relation to certain charges and the issue of intention will be a key element for them to consider in their deliberations.