Jo Cox trial: The 'comprehensive' case against Thomas Mair

By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Nov 2016, 15:59 BST
Updated 29th Nov 2016, 10:27 BST
The black holdall dropped by Mair as he was arrested, which contained the rifle and knife used during the murder.The black holdall dropped by Mair as he was arrested, which contained the rifle and knife used during the murder.
The black holdall dropped by Mair as he was arrested, which contained the rifle and knife used during the murder.
A 'comprehensive' catalogue of evidence was presented to jurors as the court heard about the events of June 16 and the police investigation which they triggered.

Drawing on CCTV footage, forensics, expert witnesses and the testimony of more than a dozen eye witnesses, the prosecution left the jury in no doubt that Thomas Mair was guilty of murdering MP Jo Cox and stabbing pensioner Bernard Carter Kenny.

Footage from CCTV cameras outside homes and businesses around Birstall allowed the jury to follow Mair’s morning trip to the retail park at Junction 27 and his later walk into the centre of the village, where he laid in wait for Mrs Cox for almost an hour.

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Scenes of him browsing newspapers in WHSmith like any other shopper earlier in the day provided a stark contrast to the footage of him casually walking away from the murder scene only a few hours later.

The black holdall dropped by Mair as he was arrested, which contained the rifle and knife used during the murder.The black holdall dropped by Mair as he was arrested, which contained the rifle and knife used during the murder.
The black holdall dropped by Mair as he was arrested, which contained the rifle and knife used during the murder.

The attack began with moments of Mrs Cox and her two colleagues parking up in Market Street at 12.50pm as they arrived to host one of the MP’s regular surgeries at Birstall Library.

Fazila Aswat, the MP’s office manager, told jurors: “In that instant our lives changed forever.”

She described a man suddenly being over Mrs Cox with a knife, the panic that set in as she saw a gun and screaming for her to run.

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The court heard how Ms Aswat urged an injured Mrs Cox to think of her two young children and cradled the MP in her arms as waited for an ambulance to arrive.

A still from CCTV footage placing Mair in Market Street where he waited for MP Jo Cox to arrive.A still from CCTV footage placing Mair in Market Street where he waited for MP Jo Cox to arrive.
A still from CCTV footage placing Mair in Market Street where he waited for MP Jo Cox to arrive.

Witnesses spoke about having heard a “piercing scream” and a “popping sound” like a single firecracker going off during the first wave of Mair’s assault.

He stabbed Mrs Cox several times before retreating slightly and then returning for a second attack on his victim.

It was around this time that 77-year-old Mr Kenny tried to intervene and was stabbed in the chest by Mair.

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Others in the street had shouted at Mair to leave Mrs Cox alone and witness Shelly Morris was among the first to call 999 to raise the alarm.

Further CCTV footage shows the arrival of the car carrying MP Jo Cox, who was heading to Birstall Library for a surgery.Further CCTV footage shows the arrival of the car carrying MP Jo Cox, who was heading to Birstall Library for a surgery.
Further CCTV footage shows the arrival of the car carrying MP Jo Cox, who was heading to Birstall Library for a surgery.

Meanwhile, Mrs Cox was telling her two colleagues: “Get away. Get away you two. Let him hurt me. Don’t let him hurt you too.”

The court heard from witnesses how Mair moved back towards Mrs Cox, stabbed her several more times and shot her twice before walking away “as if he hadn’t done anything wrong.”

Mair was said to have shouted “Britain first” or “keep Britain independent” during the assault.