Neighbour On Trial For Joanna Yeates Murder

The process of selecting the jury who will try Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak for the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates, has begun at Bristol Crown Court.

Mr Tabak, 33, who lived next door to Miss Yeates, admits killing her in December last year, but denies it was murder.

He pleaded guilty to her manslaughter at a brief hearing at the Old Bailey in May, but the Crown rejected his plea and opted to pursue the charge of murder against him.

He was brought to court on Tuesday for the first day of his trial, which is expected to last four weeks.

The bespectacled Dutchman sat quietly in the dock, wearing a dark suit, pale grey shirt, and navy tie, as the panel of 32 potential jurors was gradually whittled down.

Tabak spoke only to confirm his name, and that he understood the process by which the jury would be selected.

Each potential juror was asked a series of questions, including whether they knew any of the witnesses who would be called, or had links to firms BDP, Buro Happold, or Dyson.

They were also asked whether they had had any contact with police during the course of the Joanna Yeates investigation, and whether they would be available to sit for the duration of the four weeks set aside for the trial.

The names of twelve jurors were then selected at random to form the jury-in-waiting of six men and six women, with a further six drawn as reserves.

The judge, the Hon. Mr Justice Field, warned jurors against attempting their own research into the trial.

He said: "You know who the defendant is and who the deceased is and I must instruct you to avoid undertaking any inquiries at all about the background of this case.

"The position is that the defendant must be tried only on the evidence that is heard in this courtroom."

The jurors-in-waiting have been told they will be sworn tomorrow morning, unless issues come to light overnight, such as hospital appointments or family commitments, that would prevent them from serving.

Joanna Yeates was last seen on 17th December 2010 after going for a Christmas drink with work colleagues in central Bristol.

The 25-year-old was reported missing by her boyfriend two days later who, together with her family, made a series of appeals for her safe return.

Her body was found on Christmas Day, covered in snow by the side of a quiet country lane on the outskirts of Bristol.

Miss Yeates' parents and boyfriend were not in court for the hearing.

The case has been adjourned until 10.30am tomorrow morning.