'This is not trial by expert, this is trial by jury': garda murder trial jury begin deliberations

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations in the trial of Stephen Silver, charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver, aged 46 of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Justice Tara Burns instructed the jury of twelve that possible verdicts include capital murder, murder, or manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility or self-defence. The central issue concerns Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting. Expert evidence was presented regarding whether Mr Silver's bipolar affective disorder was operant during the incident, with the defence and prosecution psychiatrists disagreeing on this point. The judge emphasised that the jury must determine the facts rather than defer to expert testimony. A unanimous verdict is required. Deliberations commenced at 3:40pm and will resume on Tuesday.