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The Colston Four, the jury system and the rule of law
Juries have been annoying governments since the 17th century. KEITH FLETT takes a look

ON JANUARY 5 the Colston Four were acquitted at Bristol Crown Court. They had been accused of criminal damage, being part of the crowd who toppled the statue of slaver Edward Colston in the City in June 2020 and dumped it in Bristol harbour.

They had admitted being there but claimed a defence of it being morally right to take down Colston. 

By a majority verdict the jury agreed.

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