A jury has been sworn in to try a former soldier accused of murdering a dog walker in woodland near East Harling.
The body of dog walker 83-year-old Peter Wrighton, a married father and grandfather from Banham, was discovered on August 5 last year.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Wrighton, a retired BT worker, died from multiple stab wounds to the neck and head.
Alexander Palmer, 24, of Freesia Way, Cringleford, who served with the British Army between 2010-2015, was charged with murder but pleaded not guilty in December.
He was due to stand trial at Norwich Crown Court in the week beginning February 12 but following a hearing at London’s Old Bailey, the case was moved to Nottingham Crown Court and is set to get underway today (Tuesday, February 20).
A jury of eight women and four men have been sworn in to try the defendant.
Palmer did not object to any of the 12 jurors who were selected from the panel.
The defendant appears in court in a secure dock with frosted glass sides meaning he cannot easily be seen from the public gallery where members of Mr Wrighton’s family are seated as well as members of his own family.
There is also a sizable press contingent among those watching proceedings with national as well as local media outlets attending the trial.
The trial, which is being presided over by The Honourable Mr Justice Goose, is scheduled to last for two to three weeks.
Mr Wrighton was described as a “lovely, gentle husband, dad and grandfather” who loved walking his dogs, Gemma and Dylan.
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