Morgan Huelin death investigation complete – decision on charges expected soon

Tuesday 15 December 2015

A decision on whether to charge the five teens arrested on suspicion of murdering 16-year-old Morgan Huelin in July could be made before the end of the year.

Although the five are no longer on police bail on suspicion of murder, they could still be charged with offences in relation to his death.

Morgan died after a house party in Trinity. He was found unconscious by a dog walker in Rue de Becquet Vincent early on Sunday 5 July and was pronounced dead a few hours later at the General Hospital.

The five teenage boys were quickly arrested on suspicion of murder, but after four months on police bail were told that they would not face murder charges.

It was confirmed yesterday that the police investigation had been completed, but that prosecutors had asked for more information on a few key points before reaching a decision on whether or not to charge the boys, and what to charge them with.

Speaking to the States yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Kristina Moore confirmed that the police investigation had closed.

But she said that the matter was ‘sub judice’ – because the inquest into the death had been opened – and that she could not give further information.

Bailiff William Bailhache blocked follow-up questions to the minister, but her initial response to a question from Deputy Jackie Hilton was: “The States of Jersey Police concluded their investigative work last month, and a detailed case file remains with the Law Officers’ department.

“There has been a request for a small number of final inquiries to be concluded this week. The parents of the deceased young man have been kept apprised.”

The last public statement in the case was in November, when in an update on ‘Operation Emerald’ – the codename given to the investigation into Morgan’s death – the police confirmed that forensic analysis from the UK had led to the decision not to proceed with murder charges.

At the time, they said: “Following the comprehensive investigation into the death of Morgan Huelin on 5 July 2015, which included UK forensic analysis, the Law Officer’s Department, after consideration of the case file, have determined that the five suspects can be released from police bail in relation to their detention on suspicion of murder.

“However further offences remain under consideration by the Law Officer’s Department.”