Shot Manchester teenager Jessie James inquest to resume

The inquest into the death of schoolboy Jessie James will resume later in the year, almost four years after he was shot dead in south Manchester.

The 15-year-old was shot three times as he cycled through Broadfield Park, Moss Side, on 9 September 2006.

An inquest was dramatically halted in August 2007 after a new witness came forward and two arrests were made.

But almost three years on and with no-one charged with his murder, proceedings will resume in June 2010.

In 2007, Coroner Nigel Meadows allowed anonymous witnesses and voice distortion technology in a bid to break down the "wall of silence" over the killing.

Detectives have always believed that people within the community know who the gunman is - but are too frightened to talk to police.

'Gang refusal'

After the hearing was adjourned in 2007, officers said the new witness - known only as "witness XZ" - had come forward as a direct result of the public inquest.

Two inmates were subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder but the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

Greater Manchester Police believe Jessie's killing may have bee a case of mistaken identity and that he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

However, his mother Barbara Reid told the original inquest he was killed for refusing to join a gang.

Det Ch Supt Jane Antrobus, senior investigating officer on the murder investigation, continued to urge witnesses to come forward.

She said: "This inquest will look at the circumstances leading up to Jessie's death and it is for the coroner to establish what happened on that evening in September 2006.

"The police have established a comprehensive sequence of events, however vital evidence to identify and prosecute Jessie's killer is still being sought.

"It is right that the police at this time take this opportunity to again appeal for people to search their hearts and minds and come forward to assist us.

"His family also remain determined to see the people responsible brought before the courts.

"Jessie's family, the police and people living in Moss Side don't want this evil killer to get away with it and we are still doing all we can to find the people responsible for this horrific crime."