Jury discharged in father's murder trial

A jury has been discharged after they failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a father accused of murdering his son who died 14 years after he was assaulted as a baby.

Lejaune Wood, 43, of Wuppertal, Germany, grabbed four-month-old LJ from his mother's arms and flung him on the floor in December 2007, the Old Bailey had heard.

The child suffered fractures to the ribs, arm and skull and serious brain injuries during the assault at the family home in Hayes, west London, jurors were told.

At his trial, German national Wood admitted injuring LJ in a fit of anger and frustration but denied that he meant to seriously harm him.

The court heard that LJ, who was taken into foster care, developed cerebral palsy as a result of the brain injuries and was non-verbal and used a wheelchair.

He died aged 14 on 6 December 2021 from complications linked to the earlier assault, the court was told.

An Old Bailey jury deliberated for 40 hours but was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of murder.

On Friday afternoon, Judge Simon Mayo KC discharged the jury and thanked them for their service.

The prosecution indicated it sought a retrial, which was scheduled for 27 September 2027.

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