R vs THE BUTLER is stopped after 3 days............and I think I know why !!

Burrell trial halted

by PAUL HARRIS, Daily Mail online.

17th OCT 2002


The trial of former royal butler Paul Burrell was halted after three days yesterday.
The judge discharged the Old Bailey jury 'for legal reasons' - and ordered a new one to be sworn in.
The trial - in which Burrell denies stealing property from Princess Diana, the Prince of Wales and Prince William - is expected to restart from scratch today.
The surprise twist in the saga of Burrell and 310 items allegedly found at his home came after a day of legal discussion in the case, which began on Monday.
It took place in the absence of the four men and eight women jurors, who had so far heard only the prosecution opening and part of the evidence of the first witness, a police officer.
The judge, Mrs Justice Rafferty, ordered that it should be reported only that the jury had been discharged for legal reasons.
Burrell, 44, of Farndon, Cheshire, denies three counts of theft.
The Crown alleges the items, which are listed on 15 foolscap pages, were stolen between January 1997 and the end of June 1998 - that is the eight months before the princess died in August 1997, and the ten months afterwards.
The items include 284 belonging to the Princess, four to the Prince of Wales and 22 to Prince William.
Burrell is alleged to have taken ornaments, clothing, nightwear, personal family photographs, plus intimate letters from Diana to William.
The man the princess called 'my rock' sat motionless in the dock of Court One as the decision to discharge the jury was announced.
Burrell, wearing a dark check suit with silver buttons, later watched the new jury being sworn in.
They were warned that the trial could last up to six weeks and were asked by the judge to consider two questions before being invited to take seats on the jury benches.
The first was: 'Have you or any of your family or friends ever been employed in a royal household?'
The second was: 'Have you or any of your family or friends ever been employed by a police service in any capacity?'
Once 12 jurors - five women and seven men - were selected, the three counts of theft were read by court clerk Veronica Elston.
The judge warned the jurors not to speak about the case.
She said it was 'no secret' that she had discharged an earlier jury, and told them: 'Put out of your mind anything you have read, heard or seen. Give yourselves a clean slate, and concentrate on what you now have to do.'
The dozens of witnesses due to give evidence include Diana's sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale and her mother Mrs Frances Shand-Kydd. The Prince of Wales and Prince William are not expected to be called.
Journalists from across the world are covering the case, which involves some of the country's leading QCs. Mr William Boyce QC is prosecuting and Lord Carlile QC defending.
The trial is estimated to have already cost up to £30,000.