[originaltext] The lawyers representing two eleven-year-old boys accused of k

The lawyers representing two eleven-year-old boys accused of killing a young child have been making their final submissions. Speaking at Preston Crown Court, the lawyer for one of the boys blamed the other for the murder of two-year-old James Bulger. The Court was told there could be no doubt that the two boys were with James when he met his death on a railway track. Emma Patterson has the story:
   The trial entered its third and final week, the court room as packed as ever, with journalists from around the world and members of the public who’d queued for a seat. The two eleven-year-olds who can’t be named for legal reasons have been identified throughout as Child A and Child B. The lawyer acting on behalf of Child A told the court that the terrible and terrifying assault on the toddler had been initiated and carried out by Child B; Child B’s lawyer described his co-defendant as an arrogant little liar. He said his own client may have played a part in causing the death of James Bulger, but had not intended to have played a part in causing the death of James Bulger, and had not intended to do so. The other lawyer said causing serious injury or killing was the last thing either defendant had in mind. To find them guilty of murder, the jury must decide that the boys were well aware of the consequences of their actions. The prosecution must also prove that both boys were capable of distinguishing right from wrong and could therefore be held criminally responsible for their deeds.