THE jury in the Shafilea Ahmed trial has been hearing why they should not convict her parents of her murder this morning.
Tom Bayliss QC told the court that despite the intense media interest in the case jurors had to put aside any prejudices or conceptions they had when decided the verdicts for Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed, aged 52 and 49.
He said: "It is a case that has gripped the media. I doubt anyone in this country doesn't know about this case. It appeals to all our prejudices. A young woman trying to live the life she wanted "It is easy to portray [her parents] as backward thinking figures. Their culture is still right in Pakistan and they find it difficult to accept [western life]."
He added that they should ignore the prosecution's assertions that the 17-year-old, who is alleged to have died on September 11 2003 in the family home on Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, could only submit, escape or die.
He added: "The fact Shafilea was rebelling against her parents doesn't mean they would kill her."
The court is expected to hear the final case from Farzana's barrister on Monday.
The pair deny murder.
The trial continues
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