The Old Bailey, London -
The trial of Daniel Varga, charged with the Murder of Jonathan Mercer, is set to go forward next year after the Pre-Trial and Preparation Hearing today inside The Old Bailey. The Honorable Mr. Justice Edmund Harcourt is to preside over the trial.
Inside the courtroom, Senior Crown Prosecutor Victoria H. Redmond, KC and Defense Solicitor Nathaniel Peter Grant, of Grant, Ellison & Howe Solicitors stood before Mr. Justice Harcourt as the defense entered a plea of NOT GUILTY for Count 1: Murder, and GUILTY for Counts 2 - 5.
Counts 2 - 5 were Fraud by Abuse of Position, Fraud by False Representation, False Accounting, and Money Laundering respectively.
A trial start date has tentatively been set for the 6th of May, 2022 here at The Old Bailey. Jury selection will take place in early spring of 2022, and due to the high profile nature of this case, the jury will remain anonymous.
After the Pre-Trial and Preparation Hearing concluded, Mr. Justice Harcourt, having received a plea agreement before hand from both legal teams regarding the financial crimes, handed down the sentencing for Mr. Varga’s financial crimes.
Count 2: Fraud by Abuse of Power - 6 years, 8 months.
Count 3: Fraud by False Representation - 5 years.
Count 4: False Accounting - 4 years
Count 5: Money Laundering - 5 years, 6 months.
The sentencing handed down was concurrent, meaning Mr. Varga, if found Not Guilty of Murder, will serve a little over 7 years in prison.
If found Guilty of the Murder Jonathon Mercer, Mr. Varga could face the maximum penalty of DEATH.
- Amelia Ward - Senior Legal Correspondent, The London Chronicle