Jury retires over church warden accused of murdering university lecturer

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Benjamin Field, 28, and Martyn Smith, 32, are accused of killing Peter Farquhar, 69, and conspiring to murder Ann Moore-Martin, 83, and trying to make their deaths look like an accident or suicide.

Field, a Baptist minister’s son, has admitted fraudulently being in relationships with Mr Farquhar and his neighbour Miss Moore-Martin as part of a plot to get them to change their wills.

 

 

Prosecutors allege Field and Smith targeted Miss Moore-Martin a few months after allegedly murdering Mr Farquhar in the village of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire.

Mr Farquhar, who was torn about his sexuality because of his religion, died in October 2015, while retired teacher Miss Moore-Martin died in May 2017 from natural causes.

They are on trial at Oxford Crown Court accused of murder, conspiracy to murder and fraud, while Field’s younger brother Tom, 24, also faces an allegation of fraud.

Prosecutors allege that Benjamin Field, who had undergone a “betrothal” ceremony with Mr Farquhar, had a “profound fascination in controlling and manipulating and humiliating and killing”.

The PhD student was a prolific writer, documenting his thoughts and activities in diaries and journals.

He had also drawn up a “100 clients” list, including his parents, grandparents and brother, which the prosecution say were future targets.

He denied murdering author and University of Buckingham lecturer Mr…

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