New charges over Rhys Jones murder

Jun 4 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Rhys Jones 320x160

A FURTHER four people will appear in court in connection with Rhys Jones’ murder, police announced yesterday.

The fresh charges were issued one day after Rhys’s alleged killer and six alleged accomplices made their first appearance at Crown Court.

Francis Yates, 48, and Marie Yates, 50, both of Dodman Road, Croxteth, have been summoned for the offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

James Hughes, 22, of Willow Way, Croxteth, has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, along with Janette Marie Mercer, 48, from the Croxteth area.

All will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on June 17.

Rhys was shot in the neck on August 22 last year, as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park.

The initial seven defendants in the case will enter pleas on July 24 and a trial date has been set for October 2.

They are a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named, who is charged with murder, James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, and two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified, are all charged with assisting an offender.

Another 16-year-old boy is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Lawyers for the alleged killer will make their case for the trial to be heard outside Liverpool on June 30, because they claim publicity surrounding the crime will prejudice the case.

lizawilliams