Description
John Kamara and Raymond Gilbert were convicted of the murder of John Suffield, who was stabbed during a bungled robbery. Raymond changed his plea to guilty during the trial. Evidence against John consisted of Raymond naming him as his apprentice, eyewitness identification, statements made during police interviews and evidence of admissions to fellow remand inmates. The conviction was quashed on appeal due to deficiencies in the identification procedure and omissions in summing up, non-disclosure of statements taken by the police during original enquiries that suggested other possible suspects, and the circumstances surrounding Raymond’s guilty plea.
BBC’s rough justice produced a documentary on this case, which is available
here.
Jurisdiction
England & Wales
Compensation
Compensation Link
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/john-kamara-it-anger-kept-17103077
Dates
Year Conviction was Overturned
2000
Research information
Link to Full Case
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2000/37.html
Offences
Offence
Murder, Robbery / burglary
Offence Convicted Of
Murder; robbery
Most Serious Offence
Murder
Courts
Factors Involved
Inadequate disclosure, Witness evidence from non-complainant
Type of Witness Evidence
Eyewitness (identification)
Affirmative Evidence of Innocence
Fresh Evidence
Evidence relating to the reliability of witness testimony
Neutral Citation
[2000] EWCA Crim 37
Online Press
https://www.insidejustice.co.uk/documentaries/john-kamara-life-after-life/9, https://innocent.org.uk/2017/07/05/20-years-in-jail-as-200-witness-statements-are-withheld-john-kamara-2010/#:~:text=John%20Kamara%2C%20now%2044%2C%20from,innocence%20he%20was%20found%20guilty
Crown Argued Case at CofA
Yes
Previous Appeals
Leave to appeal dismissed in 1983
Number of Previous Applications
1
Legal Representation on Appeal
Michael Birnbaum QC, Gabb and Co Powys- https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2000/37.html