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Coroner rules out unlawful killing

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 02 December 2008

The coroner at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes tells jurors that a verdict of unlawful killing is "not justified".

Former High Court judge, Sir Michael Wright, began summing up seven weeks of evidence by telling jurors they will only be allowed to return a verdict of lawful killing or an open verdict.

Having considered all the evidence, a verdict of unlawful killing was "not justified", he said.

He said the ruling has to be consistent with the Metropolitan Police's health and safety trial, which cleared senior staff of blame.

Background

The coroner began bringing together the final account of how the innocent Brazilian met his death on a south London Tube train.

It is the last stage before the 11-person jury, which has sat since 22 September, is sent out to consider its verdicts.

Jurors heard from 100 witnesses, including the two men who shot dead the innocent Brazilian at point-blank range on a carriage at Stockwell station on 22 July 2005.

For the first time, the public was given a full account of the incident from key witnesses on board the Underground carriage where the shooting took place.

Key controversies involving surveillance outside his Tulse Hill home, incidents in the control room at New Scotland Yard, and Mr de Menezes's journey towards Stockwell were also examined at length.

C2 and C12, the two firearms officers who shot the electrician, both choked back tears as they appeared at the inquest at Surrey County Cricket Club's home ground in south London.

The shooting came two weeks after London was rocked by the 7/7 bombings that left 52 victims dead.

On 21 July a second gang of Islamist extremists attempted to murder dozens more with home-made rucksack bombs.

As counter terrorist police scoured the capital for the escaped would-be suicide bombers, Mr de Menezes was mistaken for one of them and shot dead.

Sir Michael is expected to use at least two days taking the jury back through the key evidence heard at The Oval.

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