Rhys accused refuses to testify

Rhys Jones died after he was shot in the pub car park

A boy who gave an alibi for the teenager accused of murdering schoolboy Rhys Jones has refused to give evidence at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 17-year-old, who can only be named as Boy K, had claimed Sean Mercer, 18, was with him at home watching a DVD when 11-year-old Rhys was shot dead.

The boy, accused of assisting an offender, would not give evidence in support of his case.

Sean Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder.

Refused questions

Five of the seven defendants in the trial have now declined to offer evidence.

Earlier this week Mr Mercer informed the court he would not enter the witness box followed by co-accused Boy M, 16, James Yates, 20, and Nathan Quinn, 18, who are all charged with assisting an offender.

A witness in the trial has also refused to answer questions in the dock.

Boy K had told police he and Mr Mercer were watching a documentary about the rapper 50 Cent on 22 August 2007, when Rhys was shot dead at the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool.

The prosecution alleges Mr Mercer blasted three shots across the pub's car park after targeting members of a rival gang who had strayed onto his turf.

The second bullet struck Rhys in the neck and the youngster died in his mother's arms a short time later, the jury has been told.

It is alleged that after the shooting, Boy K helped Sean Mercer create a false alibi and later hid the murder weapon in the loft of another boy's house.

Boy M and Boy K, who cannot be identified, deny assisting an offender along with Mr Yates, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Mr Quinn, of Wickett Close, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool.

Boy K is also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition, which he also denies.

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday when counsel will begin their closing speeches.