THE murder of Heather Barnett was a shocking case, Mr Justice Burnett, told Winchester Crown Court today.
But he warned the jury: "You must leave emotion to one side and judge this dispassionately on the evidence."
In his summing up, which is set to take the rest of the day, he added: "You must test the words of counsel in their closing speeches against the evidence you have heard over several weeks. It is your judgement alone that counts."
Danilo Restivo 39, of Chatsworth Road, Bournemouth, denies the murder of Heather Barnett on November 12, 2002.
"This is a case based on circumstantial evidence and that can in itself be powerful but it needs to be treated with care," said the judge.
He said the ferocity of the attack on Heather Barnett was such that the assailant plainly intended to kill her.
"The question is, was that man Danilo Restivo?"
Mr Justice Burnett said although the defendant gave evidence at length and with often irrelevantly, it should not be simply dismissed. It too should be tested against the prosecution's case.
The summing up continues.
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