Jury discharged from murder trial of accused Nicholas Cross

Members of a jury hearing allegations against a man accused of the shooting murder of Maddison Parrott has been discharged.

A jury hearing allegations about the alleged shooting murder of Maddison Parrott has been discharged.

Nicholas James Cross stands accused of shooting Ms Parrott – also known as Maddison Pante – in a glamping tent at the Geelong Showgrounds in December 2018.

Her body was discovered in a charred tent at the Breakwater site in the early hours of December 4.

The trial began on March 8, but Justice Rita Incerti released members of the jury from services on Tuesday morning.

Nicholas James Cross is accused of murder. The jury hearing the trial has been discharged.

“Matters have arisen that require me to discharge you from this trial,” she told the jury.

“It’s nothing you have done as a jury.”

Justice Incerti gave the jury no reason for the discharge, but a Supreme Court of Victoria spokesman said the jury had been “discharged for Covid-related reasons”.

The case is expected to appear before the courts at a later date, with a new jury to be empaneled at an undecided date.

Pre-trial hearings will likely be held next week.

Originally published as Jury discharged from murder trial of accused Nicholas Cross