Youth cleared of manslaughter charge
The manslaughter charge against one of four youths accused of killing an 18-year-old student was today thrown out by a judge in a Dublin court.
Andrew Frame, aged 22, now faces just one charge of violent disorder relating to the death of Brian Murphy outside the Burlington Hotel, Dublin on August 31, 2000.
Frame, from Co Dublin, was a former pupil of Blackrock College, with his three co-accused, Sean Mackey, aged 23, and Desmond Ryan, aged 22, also from Co Dublin, and Dermot Laide, aged 22, from Co Monaghan.
All four have all pleaded not guilty to killing Mr Murphy and to a second charge of violent disorder during the month-long trial at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court.
Judge Michael White ruled the manslaughter charge against Frame should be withdrawn because certain evidence could not be relied upon.
Mr Murphy was kicked and beaten to death in a fight outside Club Anabel in the Burlington Hotel after a student night.
The case for the defence began today, with Frame giving his account of events in the witness box.
The trial continues before a jury of eight men and four women.
