ALTHOUGH Jerry Amos was ruled to be well enough to attend proceedings at Reading Crown Court on day 12 of the murder trial, his counsel, Ms Kirsty Brimelow, told the jury she would not be calling him to give evidence in the witness box.

Attention was turned to the case for the third defendant, Peter Amos (PA).

Defence counsel Mr Ashley Gordon (AG) called Peter to the witness box.

AG: "On your arrest, at the police station you said you understood you were under arrest, but didnt know why you had been brought there. The prosecution says you, Leon and Jerry conspired to do everything you could to keep Leon out of the hands of the police. What do you say to that?"

PA: "Thats not true. I didnt even know the police were looking for him."

AG: "You realised they were looking for the murderer?"

PA: "I didnt believe he was ever involved in this and still dont believe it."

AG: "You were arrested for murder...what effect did that have on you?"

PA: "I was frightened and I says its not me, you have got the wrong one. I have not done anything."

In court, Peter was shown copies of his statements to police, and agreed some of the things he said in his first interview were wrong.

AG: "Its right you told lies in there?"

PA: "Thats right."

AG: "Why?"

PA: "I was just frightened and confused. I didnt think the police would believe me because Im an Amos, so I just lied."

AG: "When it comes to the next interviews, did you tell the truth?"

PA: "Yes I did."

Mr Escott-Cox, prosecution, cross-examined the witness.

BEC: "I want to suggest the reason you told so many lies in your initial interview was it was a plan that had been worked out between you and Leon, that he would go no comment and you would tell lies?"

PA: "No, no."

Questioning him on his arrest, Mr Escott-Cox asked: "You said under arrest its not me, you have got the wrong one. You have got the wrong one. You didnt say got the wrong man?"

PA: "I mean, you had the wrong person."

BEC: "What you meant was you have got the wrong Amos?"

PA: "No, I didnt mean that. Its just a figure of speech."

BEC: "You have known all along Leon was responsible for this womans death?"

PA: "No, I didnt."

The case for Peter Amos was concluded.

The trial continues

This is an extract of one of numerous witness statements made at Reading Crown Court. Trial proceedings from the third week will be reproduced in full in Friday's edition of The Watford Observer.