Jury retires to consider murder trial verdict
Elizabeth Cook/PA WireA jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a man accused of murdering a nine-year-old girl.
Lilia Valutyte was playing outside a shop where her mother was working in Boston, Lincolnshire, when she was stabbed to death by Deividas Skebas on 28 July 2022.
Skebas, 26, formerly of Thorold Street, Boston, has admitted killing Lilia but denies murder, claiming his responsibility was diminished by his mental state.
The prosecution accepts the defendant has a mental illness but allege he was able to form a rational judgement on the day he killed Lilia with a single stab wound to the heart.
In his summing up, judge Mr Justice Choudhory told the jury to put any emotions aside in reaching a verdict.
The trial continues.
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