Police plea to Jessie witnesses

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The detective leading the inquiry said there were "no excuses" for not helping them to find the boy's killer.

The Manchester Academy pupil was shot three times with a semi-automatic pistol outside a basketball court in Raby Street.

Detective Superintendent Tony Cook said: "I want the people who know what happened to Jessie to focus on this fact - he was an innocent 15-year-old with everything to live for.

"Everyone has a limit to what is acceptable or unacceptable, and this murder surely goes beyond everyone's boundaries.

'Loyalties'

"I can only think some people are refusing to give statements through misguided loyalties or fear, but there are no excuses this time. Everyone has a responsibility to take the killer off the streets of Moss Side."

Police are particularly keen to speak to three teenage girls who were standing in a group outside the West Indian Sports and Social Club at about the time of the murder at around 1am.

Posters have been put up in Moss Side urging those with information to come forward. It shows a picture of the teenager and reads: "Can you live with it? I can't."

Mr Cook added: "I understand people might be afraid because of what may happen to them, but we can and do offer excellent support through a range of measures, some relatively simple, and we also have our own Witness Protection Unit."

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