New jury sworn in after judge halts trial of Diana's butler
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The trial of Paul Burrell, former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, was abruptly halted yesterday and the jury was discharged during the third day of proceedings at the Old Bailey.
Mrs Justice Rafferty dismissed the panel of eight women and four men after a day of protracted legal argument in the absence of the jury.
A new trial with a different jury is expected to begin today.
Yesterday the first witness had been due to continue giving evidence for the prosecution in a case which had been expected to last six weeks. Instead, lawyers spent the morning putting forward submissions as Mr Burrell looked on from the dock.
At 2.10pm, the judge brought back the jury, thanked them and explained that they were to hear no more of the case. Mrs Justice Rafferty told the court: "For legal reasons the jury was discharged.''
The Independent is prevented from reporting those reasons by a court order.
Mr Burrell, 44, a royal manservant for nearly 20 years and butler to the Princess for nine years, is accused of stealing 284 of Diana's possessions, ranging from personal correspondence to designer clothing and signed CDs. He is further accused of stealing four items belonging to the Prince of Wales and 21 from Prince William. The alleged thefts are said to have taken place between 1 January 1997 and 30 June 1998. Mr Burrell, from Farndon, Cheshire, denies all the charges.
A new jury, consisting of seven men and five women, was sworn in yesterday afternoon and is expected to begin hearing evidence today when the prosecution, led by William Boyce QC, opens its case.
The cost of the abortive trial is estimated at £30,000.