Jury Discharged in Baby's Murder Trial

0:00On April 23rd, a heartbreaking trial in Preston Crown Court just hit a snag with the jury discharged after four days. Former teacher Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan Fazakirley, 32, faced charges of sexually abusing and murdering. 13-month-old Preston Davy. The baby died four months after being placed in their care while they planned to adopt him. Varley denies 25 counts, including murder, while his partner pleads not guilty to five abuse charges. The couple took in nine-month-old Preston in Blackpool back in April 2023. Prosecutors say he endured routine, ill treatment, assaults, and sexual abuse over those months. They rushed him to the hospital three times for issues like a broken arm, but doctors bought their stories about accidental bruises each time. On July 27th, 2023, McGowan Fazakirley came home to Varley, trying to revive the baby, who was in cardiac arrest. They raised him to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, but Preston couldn't be saved.

1:01A post-mortem revealed 40 injuries, including throat bruising from smothering. Today, Judge Mark Turner discharged the 12 jurors with praise for their focus, saying circumstances may continue impossible. Legal rules bar reporting why, but no blame on them. He called it a heavy decision. The trial, set for six to eight weeks, restarts Monday with a new jury. Justice for Preston hangs in the balance as these grim charges play out.