Courts / Ireland / Report

Ana Krigel trial: what the jury didn't hear

Summary

During Ana Kriegel's murder trial, the jury was barred from hearing that Boy A had searched for "child porn" and "animal porn" online and possessed thousands of pornographic images on two mobile phones. Judge Paul McDermott deemed the evidence "highly prejudicial" and not relevant to the case. Gardaí had found two phones in Boy A's bedroom, one containing 5,001 images, many pornographic, and the other 7,485 images, with 42 deemed relevant to the investigation. The prosecution also sought to introduce a questionnaire Boy A filled out, describing himself as "strange" and "different", but the judge ruled it irrelevant. Boy A's lawyers also challenged the admissibility of his clothes and phone, which were seized while he was not a suspect, but the judge rejected these claims, stating the evidence was lawfully obtained. The judge also dismissed objections to DNA evidence and a mannequin photograph, citing lack of probative value.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ana Krigel trial: what the jury didn't hear. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 24, 2018 Other
• November 2017 Other
• 2019-06-18 Publication

Why: Also on that phone was a picture of a person wearing a white homemade mask that the prosecution said was relevant because Ana's blood was found on a homemade mask taken from Boy A's bedroom, suggesting he was wearing the mask during the assault on Ana. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Topics

Animal Related Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report