Dalian Atkinson murder trial: Jury retires to consider verdicts on police officers
A jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the trial of a West Mercia Police officer accused of the murder and manslaughter of ex-Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson.
West Mercia Police Pc Benjamin Monk denies both charges, claiming he acted lawfully to protect himself and others when he Tasered and kicked the former Premier League star in August 2016.
Prosecutors allege Monk and his co-defendant, Pc Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, acted out of anger after Mr Atkinson was Tasered to the ground near his father's home in Meadow Close, Trench, Telford, in the early hours of August 15 2016.
Bettley-Smith denies assaulting the 48-year-old former Villa, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday player with a baton after he was Tasered for a third time, claiming the blows were necessary when Mr Atkinson tried to get back to his feet.
Jurors have heard six weeks of evidence in the case, including testimony from other police officers, witnesses, medical professionals and both accused officers.
Trial judge Melbourne Inman QC, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court, sent the jury out on Tuesday afternoon.
