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Murder Conviction Re-examined After 50 Years
15 Jul
Summary
- A 1972 murder conviction is under review due to new ballistic evidence.
- Paul Cleeland served 26 years in prison for a murder he claims he didn't commit.
- The review questioned the seizure and analysis of gunshot residue on his coat.
A murder conviction dating back to 1972 is undergoing a significant re-examination thanks to new ballistic evidence that has surfaced more than 50 years later. Paul Cleeland was convicted of the murder of Terry Clarke, who was shot in Stevenage in 1972, and subsequently spent 26 years in prison.
Throughout his incarceration and since his release, Cleeland has consistently proclaimed his innocence. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has confirmed that his case is now being reopened. This decision follows a thorough review of ballistic evidence.
This review process has brought to light critical questions. Notably, it was not possible to definitively establish whether gunshot residue was present on Cleeland's coat at the time it was seized by police. The CCRC will now determine if the case warrants a referral to the Court of Appeal for further review.
