Four of the eight people accused of murdering RUC man Mr Greg Taylor (41) were acquitted in Belfast yesterday. Mr Mark McIntyre (29) and Mr Samuel Coulter (33), were freed when also cleared of causing an affray on June 1st last year, the night the constable was beaten and kicked to death.
The other two men cleared of the murder, Mr Jason Wilmont (20), of Agherton Gardens, and Mr Daniel Stewart (33), of McAruther Court, Dervock, remain on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of causing an affray.
Murder charges against Trevor McLaughlin (27) and Shane Brown (25) were dropped when the prosecution accepted their guilty pleas to manslaughter. Two of those cleared earlier of murdering Mr Taylor, Jason Wilmont and Daniel Stewart, were granted bail after pleading guilty to causing an affray on the night of the killing. Still facing murder and affray charges are Mr Leslie Henry (31) and Mr Alastair Stevenson (31).