JURORS in the "Lady in the Lake" murder trial retired at 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday) to consider their verdict, reports Jennie Dennett.

They left equipped with a flip chart, and a box of plastic gloves, to handle the 29 grisly exhibits in the case, including the alleged murder weapon of an ice axe, and the knotted ropes, which were allegedly used to bind victim Carol Park's body.

After listening to the judge's summing up for a day-and-a-half at Manchester Crown Court, the seven women and five men were dispatched to the jury room.

"This is a serious business so take your time," said Mr Justice McCombe.

"You have all the time in the world."

He added that they must try to reach a unanimous verdict.

Gordon Park is charged with murdering his wife, Carol, in 1976. He denies the charge.

Earlier this week Gordon Park's defence team said Carol Park could have been brutally murdered by her sister's killer and not her husband.

Andrew Edis QC told jurors there was only a "thin case" made up of "largely weak circumstantial evidence" linking Gordon Park to the murder of his wife and another man might have been responsible.

The court was told other candidates included John Rapson, the man who strangled Carol's sister Christine Price in 1969. The court heard Rapson might have been on prison leave in July 1976 when the 30-year-old teacher disappeared although prison records were not conclusive.

Rapson was a "thoroughly nasty piece of work" said Mr Edis, and perhaps called at the Park's Leece home to see his daughter Vanessa, who was adopted by the Parks. After finding Carol alone he could have attacked her.

But in his closing statement prosecuting barrister Alistair Webster declared Gordon Park to be a "cold blooded and calculating killer."

Mr Webster said the prosecution had presented a "compelling case" to show the retired teacher had battered his wife to death in 1976 with an ice axe and dumped her trussed-up body in Coniston Water from a boat.

He said Park had been caught out "spinning a line" and his children had also lied in the witness box to protect their father.

"The evidence shows clearly that Gordon Park was the killer and we suggest, a cold-blooded and calculating killer," said Mr Webster. "Carol Park was cut down in her prime. Justice has been delayed in her case for far too long. He did kill Carol Park. There's no room for sensible doubt."

The trial verdict is expected next week.