Gemma McCluskie: Jury retires to reach verdict in murder trial
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Tony McCluskie in the dock at the Old Bailey. Picture: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Jurors deciding the fate of the brother of EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie, standing trial for her murder, have started considering their verdict.
Gemma McCluskie - Credit: submitted
Tony McCluskie, aged 35, who shared a flat with the 29 year-old actress in Pelter Street, Bethnal Green, admits manslaughter but denies murder on the grounds that he lost control when he killed Gemma.
The jury at the Old Bailey went out to deliberate this afternoon and it is not known how long it will take them to reach their verdict.
The window cleaner insists he cannot recall attacking Gemma before hacking her body into six pieces and dumping them in Regent’s Canal in March of last year.
The pair were living alone at the family home while their ill mother Pauline was in hospital.
Gemma, who starred in about 30 episodes of EastEnders, had been caring for their mother while working as a bar maid in Hackney.
