Alleged murderer who 'fired fatal shot at Connor Brookes' declines to give evidence at murder trial

After several days of Byron Sellick giving evidence on the witness stand, when he repeatedly told the jury Julian Falconer fired the fatal shot, Falconer was offered the chance to speak in his defence.

He declined.

Judge Michael Chambers KC told the jury: "It is the defendant's right not to give evidence and no inference of guilt should be taken from that decision. It is up to the prosecution to prove guilt, not the defendant to prove innocence.

On his last day of evidence Sellick was cross-examined by prosecutor Michael Burrows KC.

He asked Sellick: "You say you were shocked by the shooting. That you could not look at Julian because what he had done. But we can see in the days following you spend every second with him. That does not sound like someone who is not comfortable or friendly with someone.

"You even stayed at his house, is that right?"

Sellick replied: "I did not have anywhere else to stay those nights. I had no other option."

Mr Burrows asked: "If you were so shocked about the shooting and had nothing to do with it then why did you not help the police investigation into the murder? You could have told them where the gun was."

Sellick replied: "No, no, I did not help the police."

Sellick again denied he wanted Brookes and passenger Bradley Sladyszyn dead because of the murder of Bailey Atkinson in Walsall in 2023.

Falconer, of Wyrley Close, New Invention, Willenhall; Sanbrook, of Fisher Road, Mossley, Bloxwich and Sellick, of no fixed abode, are charged with murder, attempted murder and possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

Samuel Danks-Petty, 20, of Buildwas Close, Mossley, is also standing trial, accused of intent to pervert the course of justice.

All four defendants deny all charges.

The trial continues.