Rohan Vidal and Kevin Thompson v The Queen (Jamaica)

Rohan Vidal and Kevin Thompson v The Queen (Jamaica)

The cumulative effect of the judge's directions made it clear to the jury that only the evidence of Miss Notice could be relied upon for conviction, and the omission of the propensity limb in the good character direction did not result in a substantial miscarriage of justice given the overwhelming evidence against the appellants.

Parties
Appellant: Rohan Vidal; Appellant: Kevin Thompson; Respondent: The Queen
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 May 2011
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appeal Before Privy Council
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Murder, Identification Evidence, Good Character Direction, Hearsay Evidence, Jury Directions
Criminal Law Murder Identification Evidence Good Character Direction Hearsay Evidence Jury Directions

Case Brief

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Parties

Rohan Vidal

Appellant

Kevin Thompson

Appellant

The Queen

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appeal Before Privy Council

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury regarding hearsay evidence of a non-testifying witness (Miss Wright)
  2. 2 Whether the trial judge failed to give a full good character direction, including the propensity limb, for Thompson

Ratio Decidendi

The cumulative effect of the judge's directions made it clear to the jury that only the evidence of Miss Notice could be relied upon for conviction, and the omission of the propensity limb in the good character direction did not result in a substantial miscarriage of justice given the overwhelming evidence against the appellants.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeals dismissed; convictions upheld