19 June 2024 , 11:10
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A jury deciding the fate of a couple over the death of their newborn baby have been discharged.
Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon were facing five charges over the death of their daughter Victoria. The jury has today been discharged after an Old Bailey trial that has lasted more than five months.
Today, Judge Mark Lucraft KC thanked the jury for their "extraordinary public service". He said they would be excused from jury service for the rest of their lives.
Marten, 37 and Gordon, 50, were each charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, causing or allowing the death of a child, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.
The pair denied all counts and went on trial at the Old Bailey on January 25. Jurors began deliberating on April 30 and have been discharged after more than 72 hours of deliberation.
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Marten and Gordon may face a retrial.
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