Susan Whiting murder: Killer Julie Beards to face retrial on rape charge
A woman found guilty of the manslaughter of her vulnerable 20-year-old friend is set to be retried for a charge of rape, the Express & Star can reveal.
Julie Beards was convicted by a jury last month in connection with the death of Susan Whiting who was found dead at Mrs Beards' bungalow in Heather Close on August 18 last year.
Following a month-long trial at Leicester Crown Court, the jury found the 36-year-old, who has learning difficulties, not guilty of murder while they were acquitted from reaching a verdict on a count of rape after indicating to the judge that they were unlikely to reach a majority decision on the matter.
But now the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that it will apply for a retrial on that accusation.
CPS spokesman Vinny Bolina said: "The jury were unable to reach a verdict on the charge of rape and as is our right we reviewed it and will go for a retrial on it."
Beards is still waiting to be sentenced for manslaughter.
Mr Bolina confirmed a hearing will take place in Leicester on June 27 to discuss the progression of the case.
Julie's husband Steven Beards, 34, has already begun a 33-year sentence having being found guilty of murdering and raping vulnerable Miss Whiting.
Miss Whiting lived at Station Street and was a student at Walsall Adult and Community College.
Her mother Maureen Whiting had dropped her off at Beards' bungalow on Sunday, August 16. It was the last time she would see her alive.
A police search was triggered the following day when Ms Whiting returned to pick her daughter up only to be told she had left of her own accord. Susan's body was discovered at the home 24 hours later.
She was the youngest of four children adopted by Maureen in 1998.
Following last month's convictions the grieving mother paid an emotional tribute to her. S
he said: "My youngest Susan was a precious gift to me, my closest companion. We spent a considerable amount of time together. Susan was even my volunteer at after school club where we all miss her. My world has been turned upside down.
"I have always sought to protect my family especially as they are so vulnerable. I would always take them and collect them. I feel a terrible guilt that I failed to protect Susan and a strong sense of betrayal that Susan was killed by people she knew and trusted."
