Jury fails to reach verdict in McCluskie trial

Reports claim that the jury deciding the fate of Tony McCluskie, the man accused of murdering his sister Gemma McCluskie, will continue their deliberations tomorrow after failing to reach a verdict.

McCluskie, 35, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder on the grounds he lost control during an argument about an overflowing sink and his cannabis smoking.

The prosecution alleges that in March of last year he beat his sister to death with a blunt instrument after she asked him to leave their flat. He then cut up her body into six pieces before dumping it in Regent’s Canal.

McCluskie claims he can’t remember attacking Gemma, who was working as a barmaid, or the events that followed. His defence claim he suffers from amnesia and was under a lot of pressure due to problems at work and with his long-term girlfriend.

McCluskie has also claimed that his sister was abusive towards him and that he recalls her pulling out a knife during their argument before he blanked out. He further alleges that his sister took cocaine.

CCTV images show McCluskie carrying a suitcase, believed to contain body parts, to a minicab after his sister’s disappearance.

Former actress Gemma played the role of Kerry Skinner in EastEnders between 2000 and 2001.