Jury to return on Tuesday to consider verdict in Eli Epiha trial

The jury in the trial of the man who murdered Constable Matthew Hunt last year will return to court on Tuesday to continue considering its verdict - over whether he attempted to murder another officer that same day.

Twelve jurors deliberated for six hours, during which time they asked Justice Venning if they could have two pieces of evidence replayed.

At 5pm they opted to go home for the night. They will return at 10am tomorrow to continue deliberating. 

The jury must decide whether Eli Epiha is guilty of the attempted murder of Constable David Goldfinch, and if Natalie Bracken is guilty of being an accessory after the fact of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

This morning Justice Venning summed up the case to the jury, reminding them they must make their findings based solely on the evidence heard in court, and not let Epiha's guilty plea to Constable Hunt's murder inform their decision. 

"You must not let that influence you in your consideration of the charge of attempted murder of Constable Goldfinch," he said.  

The jury returned to ask two questions today.

Firstly, they rewatched audio from a CCTV camera of the shooting on Reynella Drive. 

They also asked to be played mobile phone footage that shows both Eli Epiha and Natalie Bracken after the shooting, driving away from the scene. 

The jury will watch the footage first thing tomorrow, before continuing to deliberate.