Home / Crime and Justice / Retired Detective Believes Murder Convict Now Innocent
Retired Detective Believes Murder Convict Now Innocent
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Retired investigator now believes Michael Ross guilty of 1994 murder.
- Key witness testimony led to Ross's conviction 14 years later.
- No forensic evidence or murder weapon found in the case.
A retired detective who previously assisted in the defense of Michael Ross now believes Ross is guilty of the 1994 murder of Shamsuddin Mahmood. Ross, who was 15 at the time, was convicted in 2008, 14 years after the waiter was shot.
The conviction relied heavily on the testimony of William Grant, who claimed to have seen Ross near the crime scene with a gun. However, Grant's credibility was questioned during the trial due to inconsistencies in his statements. No forensic evidence or murder weapon has ever been found.
Despite claiming innocence and having served 17 years in prison, Ross's conviction remains controversial. A new BBC series explores these revelations, including interviews and previously unseen documents, highlighting the enduring divisions within the Orkney community over this decades-old case.
