Jury Instructions in Ruth Lawrence Trial
Mr Justice Tony Hunt addressed the 12-person jury on Wednesday, outlining the legal principles to be applied during their deliberations. The jury was informed that they could consider alternative verdicts of assisting an offender if the prosecution fails to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ruth Lawrence participated in a joint enterprise to murder a drug dealer and his friend over ten years ago.
Conditions for Murder Conviction
The judge explained that for Ms Lawrence to be found guilty of murder under joint enterprise, it must be shown that she contributed substantively to the killing and intended to help cause the deaths deliberately.
Background of the Case
Ms Lawrence was extradited from South Africa to stand trial in 2023, nearly ten years after the discovery of the bodies of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) on a lake island in the midlands.
Defendant’s Identity and Plea
- Ruth Lawrence, 46, originally from Clontarf, Dublin.
- Currently residing at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent, Co Meath.
- She has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Mr Keegan and Mr O'Connor.
- The alleged murders took place at an unknown location in the State sometime between April 22 and May 26, 2014.
"For Ms Lawrence to be guilty of murder on the basis of joint enterprise, the accused must have assisted in a concrete way in the killing of the deceased and there must have been a purpose to deliberately assisting in their deaths."
Author’s summary: The jury in Ruth Lawrence's trial was instructed on alternative verdicts amid insufficient proof of her direct involvement in a decade-old double murder.