NEW charges of manslaughter have been laid against three men accused of killing a Mirfield man.
The three men standing trial for the murder of Josh Hirst were told yesterday they are facing manslaughter charges as well.
Mr Hirst, 20, was fatally stabbed yards from his home in Grove Street, Mirfield on August 3 last year.
Joe Church, 21, of Redlands Close Mirfield; Aaron Smith, 19, of Savile Street, Emley; and Nadeem Rashid, 21, of Lapwing View, Horbury appeared at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.
Judge Peter Collier QC told the jury the indictments for all three defendants has been altered.
He told them they will be asked to consider the charge of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter for each defendant.
He said the jury no longer has to consider a verdict on the charge of possessing a weapon.
All three defendants deny murder and manslaughter.
The court also heard evidence yesterday from scientist Professor Robin Ferner about the effect of steroids on the body.
The court heard earlier blood samples taken from victim Mr Hirst showed he had drugs drostanolone and Clenbuterol in his system.
Professor Ferner said drostanolone is on the World Anti Doping Agency’s banned list.
He said it is used by bodybuilders and power athletes to build ‘lean muscles’ but some studies showed there could also be an increase in ‘excitability’ and ‘aggression’ or ‘irritability’ or both.
The trial continues.
