THE jury in the trial of a former escort girl accused of murdering her wealthy lover with an axe was today to considering its verdict.
Janet Charlton, 36, has admitted inflicting 20 blows to the head and shoulders of Danny O'Brien but denies murdering him.
Mr O'Brien, 40, formerly of Holmes Terrace, Rawtenstall, was found with the axe sticking out of his head lying naked, gagged, blindfolded and handcuffed in the master bedroom of the house he shared with Charlton in Midgley, Wakefield, on May 23 last year.
Charlton claims she acted in self-defence after Mr O'Brien threatened to kill her and abuse and kill her three-year-old daughter.
The jury at Leeds Crown Court has also been asked to consider the issue of provocation.
The Recorder of Leeds Judge Norman Jones QC completed his summing up yesterday and sent the jury out at 1.30pm.
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