Cook murder trial: day 14

3:45pm Thursday 15th February 2001

CONCLUDING her statement to the jury for the defence of Jerry Amos at Reading Crown Court, Ms Kirsty Brimelow again emphasised the prosecution's lack of evidence against her client.

She told the court the prosecution lacked evidence over claims Jerry was looking for the knife. She then pointed to Peter's "inconsistent" statement to the police, about the alleged search, and added the brothers did not get on.

She said Jerry taking Leon to Houghton Regis did not prove he was trying to hide Leon or pervert justice, adding there was nothing unusual about cashing his brother's giro cheque in a busy post office.

Ms Brimelow appealed to the jury to use common sense, and consider Jerry's state of mind at the time.

She said: "It's very easy to join a lynch mob, but the benefit of the doubt is all I ask."

It was then the turn of counsel for Peter Amos, Mr Ashley Gordon, to present his closing argument to the jury.

He began by highlighting the guts it took his client to take the witness stand and give evidence. He said he didn't resort to replying "no comment" when asked questions by police, unlike his brothers.

He added the prosecution case against Peter has crumbled, and very little has been made about Peter's actions, in its closing statement.

The evidence the Crown has put against his client was, Mr Gordon said, "wishy-washy".

He concluded by saying: "don't convict him because he's an Amos".

The trial continues.

This is an extract of one of numerous witness statements made at Reading Crown Court. Trial proceedings from the third week will be reproduced in full in Friday's edition of The Watford Observer.

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