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Ex-Soldier's Murder Conviction Re-Examined Decades Later
7 Sep
Summary
- A former soldier's life sentence for a 1994 murder is under review.
- The convicted man, a decorated sniper, has always claimed innocence.
- A new witness's statement led to his conviction 14 years later.
A former soldier, Michael Ross, who has been serving a life sentence since 2008 for the 1994 murder of a waiter in Orkney, is having his conviction re-examined. Ross, who was only 15 at the time of the murder and later served as a decorated sniper, has always maintained his innocence.
The victim, Shamsuddin Mahmood, was shot and killed in front of diners in an Indian restaurant in Kirkwall. The case initially went cold due to insufficient evidence, with Ross being the prime suspect.
Approximately 12 years after the murder, a new witness emerged, leading to Ross's arrest and subsequent conviction in 2008. He received a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years. However, his conviction was followed by a dramatic escape attempt from court.
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) has now accepted an application from Ross for a review of his case. While the SCCRC is legally restricted in what information it can disclose, its confirmation means the case could potentially be referred back to the courts.
