**Murder Retrial Set to Begin Days After First Jury Discharged in Swansea Case**
The retrial of two men accused of the fatal attack on 27-year-old Joshua Norman in Swansea is due to begin this Wednesday, only two days after the collapse of the original trial. Paul Rosser, aged 49, from Gendros, and Joshua Cullen, aged 32, from Dyfatty, are both charged with murdering Mr Norman in the city’s Hafod district last September. The pair have formally denied both the murder charge and an alternative charge of manslaughter.
The first trial, which began at Swansea Crown Court in May and lasted two weeks, was brought to a halt on Monday after the jury was discharged for legal reasons which have not been made public. Such developments are rare and typically reflect complex legal or procedural issues which prevent proceedings from continuing fairly. Court officials were quick to reschedule the retrial in an attempt to avoid further distress to the family and any extensive delays to justice.
The case has attracted significant attention locally, not least because of the tragic circumstances surrounding the incident. Emergency services were called to Cwm Road in Hafod at lunchtime on 11 September 2024, following reports of a man in critical condition. When paramedics and police arrived, they discovered Mr Norman gravely injured. Despite immediate and determined efforts to save his life at the scene, Mr Norman succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath of his death, Joshua Norman’s family paid heartfelt tribute to him. In a statement, they described him as “a loving son, father, brother, and uncle who cared deeply about all his family. He was a beautiful person whose smile and sense of humour would light up any room and any heart. We will miss him terribly and ask for privacy at this time to grieve the loss of our dear son.” Such personal remembrances highlight the profound loss felt by families and communities in the wake of violent crime.
Paul Rosser, of McRitchie Place, and Joshua Cullen, of Griffith John Street, will remain in custody while the legal process continues. Both men maintain their innocence in connection with Mr Norman’s death. Swansea Crown Court will again hear the details of the allegation, the prosecution’s case, and the responses of the defence teams as proceedings restart on 11 June.
Retrials such as this can be challenging for all involved, particularly victims’ families, witnesses, and the accused. The unique pressures of returning to court, recounting evidence, and the emotional toll of awaiting a verdict often compound the distress brought on by such cases. Yet, the justice system is designed to ensure that all parties receive a fair trial, even if it means restarting proceedings should a problem arise that could threaten that fairness.
The case also casts a spotlight on the work of emergency responders, who were among the first to try to save Mr Norman’s life. Their efforts regularly go unheralded, but they remain central to the initial response during emergencies of this nature.
Swansea, a city not immune to incidents of violent crime, has seen its communities shaken by the events surrounding the death of Joshua Norman. Public interest in the progress and outcome of the retrial is expected to remain high, as many will be keen to see justice carried out—whatever the result.
As the retrial commences on Wednesday, both the Crown Prosecution Service and the defence counsel will have the opportunity to re-present their cases before a newly selected jury. The trial is anticipated to last several weeks and, as ever, it is a reminder of the sombre realities faced in courtrooms throughout the UK each day.