A judge delayed deciding on a joint trial for Sharaz Ali and two others charged with murder after a deadly house fire.
The fire killed Bryonie Gawith and three children: Denisty, Oscar, and Aubree Birtle. The fire happened on Westbury Road in Bradford early on August 21.
Shabir and Sunderland deny the murders and trying to murder Antonia Gawith, Bryonie’s sister. Ali was seriously hurt in the fire, remaining in a coma until December.
Ali was interviewed by police in late February. He was then charged on March 3, facing four murder counts and one of attempted murder. Ali gave no comment, according to the prosecutor.
Ali stated he had no memory of the fire and refused a medical exam. Appearing in court via video link, he is in a hospital bed at Bradford Royal Infirmary, under guard and receiving treatment.
The court thinks Ali can only give evidence for short periods of time. Consequently, the judge wants medical advice on his fitness, specifically regarding his cognitive skills and future health.
Medical experts will give advice on March 10, after which the judge will decide on a joint trial. A prosecutor asked for a trial delay to allow all three men to be tried together, anticipating the trial could take three weeks.
The court heard that Ali’s condition was once “very poor”, but he had improved since waking in December. Lawyers for Shabir and Sunderland want a trial soon, noting that their clients are already in custody.
A trial for Shabir and Sunderland could happen soon. One lawyer said Ali might not even face trial, while another said Ali’s fitness by November is uncertain. The judge postponed the hearing until March 10.
Shabir and Sunderland remain in custody. Ali stays in the hospital under guard and will move to HMP Leeds when medically safe.