Becky Watts trial: What the jury must decide

Becky Watts

The jury in the Becky Watts trial has been given directions on what they must be sure of to reach guilty verdicts.

1. Whether Nathan Matthews is guilty of conspiracy to kidnap with Shauna Hoare and vice versa.The crown must prove that:

  • There was an agreement between the pair that Becky would be kidnapped.

  • There was an intention that both of the pair would play some part in the kidnap.

2. Whether Nathan Matthews is guilty of murder.The crown must prove that Matthews:

  • Unlawfully

  • Killed

  • Becky

  • Intending to kill, or intending to cause her grievous bodily harm

Whether Shauna Hoare is guilty of murder or manslaughter or none.The crown must prove that:

  • That Hoare participated in the kidnapping of Becky Watts intending that she should be killed or come to serious bodily harm to overcome her resistance.

  • In the course of the attack Matthews suffocated or strangled Becky while intending to kill her or cause her really serious bodily harm.

  • OR if Hoare participated in the kidnap of Becky, and reasonably believed that some harm might be caused to her this is manslaughter.

3. Whether Shauna Hoare is guilty of perverting the course of justice.The crown must prove:

  • Knew that Becky's body had been hidden, dismembered, then hidden again, and lied to police saying she did not know about it.

  • Her lie had a tendency to pervert the course of justice because it prevented the police from investigating the unlawful killing of Becky.

  • She intended to pervert the course of justice.

4. Whether Shauna Hoare is guilty of preventing a lawful burial.The crown must prove:

  • Hoare took part, with Matthews, in the dismemberment and hiding of Becky.

5. Whether James Ireland is guilty of assisting an offender.The crown must prove:

  • He transported various bags containing Becky's body

  • He knew or believed Matthews was guilty of robbery or handling stolen goods.

  • He had no lawful authority or reasonable excuse for transporting or storing the various bags containing Becky's body.

  • He intended to impede the arrest of prosecution of Matthews.

Whether Donovan Demetrius is guilty of assisting an offender.The crown must prove:

  • He transported various bags containing Becky's body

  • He knew or believed Matthews was guilty of robbery or handling stolen goods, or was possessing illegal drugs with intent to supply.

  • He had no lawful authority or reasonable excuse for transporting or storing the various bags containing Becky's body.

  • He intended to impede the arrest of prosecution of Matthews.

6. Whether Shauna Hoare possessed a prohibited weapon - two stun guns.The crown must prove:

  • She knew the stun guns were not torches.

  • She had the same rights to use the stun gun than Matthews.