Jury in wheelie bin manslaughter trial unable to reach verdict

The jury in the trial of David Bagster, whose partner’s body was found inside a wheelie bin in New South Wales in 2011, has been unable to reach a verdict.

Valmai “Jane” Birch’s body was discovered by police, hogtied and upside down, inside the bin in the bathroom of her Woonona apartment in March of that year.

David Bagster, 54, pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing Ms Birch in Wollongong District Court.

The jury of seven women and five men retired to consider the verdict last Friday.

After three days of deliberations Judge Andrew Haesler was told the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict or a majority verdict.

The…