Jessie Wright murder trial facing delay

Published: 28 October, 2010
by DAVID ST GEORGE

THE man held in custody accused of murdering schoolgirl Jessie Wright has been visited 34 times by his solicitor but has still not provided a defence case.

Zakk Sacket’s trial is due to begin on November 15 but there may be a delay, prosecutor Louis Mabley told the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

“There is very strong evidence that he is responsible for the killing,” said Mr Mabley. “We do not know whether he will accept responsibility for the killing, blame a third party or claim a mental health defence.”

Sacket’s not guilty plea to murdering 16-year-old Jessie was entered several weeks ago.

The 20-year-old from Outram Place, Islington, is being held at Feltham custody centre.

Popular Jessie lived with her grandmother on the Bemerton estate near King’s Cross Station.

Her body was found in a yard off Outram Place on March 4. 

She had been strangled. 

Jessie was a former pupil at Maria Fidelis School in Somers Town. Fellow students joined her close-knit family members and friends in a march through local streets following her death. Hundreds united in grief again on April 30 when a horse and ­carriage took Jessie’s body to her funeral at St Pancras Cemetery.

Sacket, defended by leading criminal QC Jeremy Dein, was not in court on Wednesday.

Mr Dein revealed that the accused has “a wide-ranging psychological background” and very low IQ which has hampered his defence team’s attempts to take full instructions from him.