1962: 'A6 murder' trial begins

The man accused of the "A6 murder" has entered a plea of "not guilty" at the start of his trial at Bedfordshire Assizes in Bedford.

James Hanratty denied shooting Michael Gregsten, a physicist, twice in the head last August.

Mr Gregsten's companion, Valerie Storie, was raped, shot and left for dead.

But she survived and picked out Mr Hanratty at an identity parade from her hospital bed, where she lay paralysed from the waist down.

Mr Hanratty has not been charged with the attack on Ms Storie who is expected to give evidence from a wheelchair during the trial.

In his opening statement, prosecution barrister Graham Swanwick QC said Mr Hanratty may have shot the physicist "for no better reason than to possess himself of Mr Gregsten's companion".

'Remarkably clear memory'

The prosecution alleges that, armed with a gun, Mr Hanratty, 25, confronted Mr Gregsten and Ms Storie in a cornfield in Berkshire.

Mr Swanwick said Mr Hanratty then forced Mr Gregsten to drive 60 miles to Deadman's Hill at Clophill in Bedfordshire where he shot the physicist twice in the head.

He then raped and shot Ms Storie, Mr Swanick added.

"Fortunately for justice, you may come to the conclusion that in spite of her ordeal she has a remarkably clear memory of what happened that night," Mr Swanick told the 12-man jury.

Mr Hanratty has always maintained his innocence.

He told police he was 250 miles away in a guest house in Rhyl, North Wales, at the time of the attack.

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks during which time approximately 75 witnesses will be called.

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