Jury sworn in at trial of Belfast woman Julie Ann McIlwaine who admits killing allegedly abusive partner James Joseph Crossley but denies murder

Swearing in a jury for the trial of Julie Ann McIlwaine at Antrim Crown Court, Mr Justice Kinney told them “it is likely in the course of the trial that you will hear evidence in relation to domestic violence or domestic abuse.”

The victim, James Joseph Crossley, was in McIlwaine’s home “when he was killed,” said the judge adding that the 33-year-old accused “acknowledgements and accepts that she caused his injuries from which he then died.”

“She admits causing the injuries but denies that it was murder,” Mr Justice Kinney told the seven men and five women jury.

McIlwaine, from Hazel Close in the Lagmore area of ​​west Belfast, is charged that on 2 March 2022, she murdered Mr Crossley after the 38-year-old sustained fatal stab wounds at her former home on Filbert Drive in Dunmurry.

Mr Justice Kinney told the jury the trial will now move to Coleraine courthouse with prosecuting KC Richard Weir due to formally open the prosecution case and begin calling evidence tomorrow.

Scheduled to last up to two weeks, the judge told the jury “I fully understand and appreciate the inconvenience and the commitment which is required to sit on a jury” but he added that doing so “is one of the most important tasks you will undertake in society – it is a fundamental of our criminal justice system.”

Sending the jury away until tomorrow, Mr Justice Kinney reminded them of their oath to try the case only on the evidence they see and hear in court and warned against conducting any research on social media or the internet or even to talk about the case to family and friends there be any undue or unfair influence.

“You will get everything you need for the trial process,” the judge concluded.