Jury sworn-in for juvenile murder trial

15-year-old denies murdering fellow teen

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A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find distressing.

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A murder trial has started today (29 September) at Douglas Courthouse.

The juvenile defendant, who is now 15-years-old, cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age.

He has previously entered a not guilty plea to the offence.

The teenager is accused of killing 14-year-old Christopher McBurnie, from Castletown, on 29 May 2025.

Jury

At the Court of General Gaol Delivery 12 jurors - seven men and five women - were sworn-in to consider the evidence in the case.

The trial is scheduled to last 20 days and will be presided over by Deemster Graeme Cook.

He told the jurors they would notice ‘some adjustments to the usual court process’ due to the defendant’s age.

This, the deemster said, would include a greater deal of ‘informality’ in the court room than normal.

Legal professionals will not wear their gowns or wigs and the boy will be assisted in the dock by an intermediary and an appropriate adult.

He will be allowed to use a fidget toy and take regular breaks.

The deemster told jurors, the measures were designed to ensure the defendant - who was 14 at the time of the alleged offence - understands the legal proceedings.

'Uninformed thoughts'

Addressing jurors Deemster Cook told them: “Naturally the death of a child is a sensitive topic.

“You may have seen, heard or read things about it.”

He asked them to put ‘uninformed thoughts’ out of their minds and concentrate only on the evidence put before them in the process.

Instructing them not to discuss the proceedings with anyone else Deemster Cook also asked jurors not to do any internet research and not to discuss the case on social media.

He also told them not to use AI adding: “That will not help you at all.”

Trial

The juvenile defendant denies the charge of murder.

The trial is due to continue tomorrow (30 September).