For the latest news from in and around Wigan sign up to the MyWigan newsletter here Four defendants have been found not guilty of the murder of Wigan man Steven McMyler after a judge ruled charges against them should be dropped.
A jury at Manchester Crown Court was told they would no longer be considering a charge of murder in the case though the trial on remaining charges of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob will continue.
Mr McMyler, a 34-year-old joiner from Marsh Green, was found in the gardens of Wigan Parish Church with serious and ultimately fatal injuries on August 6 last year.
Prosecutors have alleged that Lewis Peake, from Little Lever, Bolton, met Mr McMyler in bar in Wigan town centre and 'recruited' a group of four young men
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk