Williams (Deceased), R v

Williams (Deceased), R v

The new evidence, including Mrs Hall's testimony and Professor Crane's expert opinion, did not undermine the strong circumstantial case against the appellant, nor would it have reasonably affected the jury's decision; therefore, the conviction remains safe.

Parties
Appellant: Harold Williams (Deceased); Respondent: The Crown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 March 2003
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal After Referral by Criminal Cases Review Commission
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Murder, Circumstantial Evidence, Time of Death, Admissibility of New Evidence, Unsafe Conviction
Criminal Law Murder Circumstantial Evidence Time of Death Admissibility of New Evidence Unsafe Conviction

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Harold Williams (Deceased)

Appellant

The Crown

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal After Referral by Criminal Cases Review Commission

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether new evidence renders the conviction unsafe
  2. 2 Whether the time of death could have been later than established at trial
  3. 3 Whether the murder weapon was correctly identified

Ratio Decidendi

The new evidence, including Mrs Hall's testimony and Professor Crane's expert opinion, did not undermine the strong circumstantial case against the appellant, nor would it have reasonably affected the jury's decision; therefore, the conviction remains safe.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Conviction upheld
  • No further orders issued