Potential jurors in the Becky Watts murder trial have been warned they could face imprisonment if they research the case or discuss it with other people.
Becky’s stepbrother, Nathan Matthews, and his partner, Shauna Hoare, have been charged with the 16-year-old’s murder and other offences, while Donovan Demetrius and James Ireland are charged with assisting an offender.
During the process of selecting a 12-person jury – due to be sworn in on Wednesday – the judge, Mr Justice Dingemans, said: “Please do not discuss this case ... with anyone else. Other people may have views that won’t have been formed by the evidence. You will be directed to try this case on the evidence that you hear.
“It is grossly unfair on the prosecution and defence to talk to anyone else about it for that reason. Those of you who are chosen as jurors, if you do carry out internet research you may be liable to imprisonment. Please do not be tempted to carry out any internet research on any matters concerning this case.”
Members of Becky’s family wore blue ribbons as they watched proceedings from the public gallery at Bristol crown court on Tuesday.
The teenager vanished from her family home in the Crown Hill area of the city on 19 February and was reported missing the next day. Police launched a large search operation and body parts belonging to Becky were discovered at a house in the Barton Hill area on 2 March.
Matthews, 28, of Warmley, South Gloucestershire, Hoare, 21, and Demetrius, 29, both of Bristol, and Ireland, 23, of Avonmouth, deny the charges against them.
