Peter Sullivan - freed after 38 years in jail for a murder he didnt commit

[mexico1970]

That would involve introducing the death penalty for minors of course. Which is an opinion you’re entitled to but I’m not sure would gain much support.

Just wait until he turns 18 and bingo we have a go.

 

[Stephen230]

Just wait until he turns 18 and bingo we have a go.

Well that’s not the way the law has ever worked. But it can always change I suppose.

 

[hilts]

68 years old poor sod. Not sure anyone could get over that.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

68 years old poor sod. Not sure anyone could get over that.

Imagine learning the price of a pint for the first time.

 

[pee dubya]

On the other hand,some twat has literally " got away with murder" for almost 40 years.
Let's hope the advances in forensics helps in finding and convicting the actual murderer.

Doesn't really seem like a one time crime either does it.

 

[Stephen230]

Reading between the lines of the brief BBC article, it suggests he might have been a bit ‘simple’ for want of a better word.

When you think about known cases like Timothy Evans and Stefan Kiszko, it makes you wonder how many other similar cases over the years that the police may have got an easy conviction for, with an innocent ‘special needs’ type?

 

[dickie davies]

I find it staggering that clearly because he failed to accept his 'guilt' he has been kept locked up for so long. Yet other little toerags who have also committed murder will be released after18-20 years because they play the system. His strength of character must be immense.

And... the DNA technology process that proved him innocent was being widely used in 2015
In 2016, his legal representative presented this evidence to the The Criminal Cases Review Commission who rejected it

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Why did he admit to it in the first place?
He later changed his plea to innocent.

 

[Stephen230]

I find it staggering that clearly because he failed to accept his 'guilt' he has been kept locked up for so long. Yet other little toerags who have also committed murder will be released after18-20 years because they play the system. His strength of character must be immense.

The Parole Board did actually produce a paper just last year, with guidance about prisoners who maintain their innocence.

It should, in theory at least, lead to a clearer pathway for such people serving life sentences. But it’s always going to be incredibly difficult to convince the parole board, without an admission of guilt.

 

[dickie davies]

Why did he admit to it in the first place?
He later changed his plea to innocent.

He lacked mental capacity (mentally impaired)
The Police denied him legal advice for two days whilst they questioned him, and said, a legal representative would have slowed their investigations
It was during this two day period he signed the confession

 

[city2]

Let’s hope the murderous **** who actually carried out this horrendous crime is now sweating and fearing the knock on the door unless he’s already dead.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

He lacked mental capacity (mentally impaired)
The Police denied him legal advice for two days whilst they questioned him, and said, a legal representative would have slowed their investigations
It was during this two day period he signed the confession

I was thinking that.
Not much good to Mr Sullivan now.

 

[Stephen230]

Let’s hope the murderous **** who actually carried out this horrendous crime is now sweating and fearing the knock on the door unless he’s already dead.

The fact his DNA isn’t on police records, suggests he either stopped at one and has never been arrested for anything since, or he’s long since dead.

Think I know which one is more likely.

 

[shackattack]

Reading between the lines of the brief BBC article, it suggests he might have been a bit ‘simple’ for want of a better word.

When you think about known cases like Timothy Evans and Stefan Kiszko, it makes you wonder how many other similar cases over the years that the police may have got an easy conviction for, with an innocent ‘special needs’ type?

It's estimated that around 30% of the prison population in the UK have either lower than average IQ's ( eg around 70) or have borderline learning difficulties. A lot have been in prison for a substantial time and would possibly not be incarcerated if they were trialled today

 

[Username Required]

Doesn't really seem like a one time crime either does it.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Reading between the lines of the brief BBC article, it suggests he might have been a bit ‘simple’ for want of a better word.

When you think about known cases like Timothy Evans and Stefan Kiszko, it makes you wonder how many other similar cases over the years that the police may have got an easy conviction for, with an innocent ‘special needs’ type?

Yep. Singapore recently executed a guy for drug smuggling who was in this category. There are multiple examples in the US too.

Reminds me of this classic lecture:

 

[paulchapo]

Let’s hope the murderous **** who actually carried out this horrendous crime is now sweating and fearing the knock on the door unless he’s already dead.

Apparently the police have checked the national dna database and haven't found a match. The fact somebody committed such an horrendous crime, then just stopped and didn't commit another one in the next 38 years would be highly unusual I would have thought. They may have died themselves, moved abroad, been extremely clever or maybe they did just go on to live a crime free life after the murder. It's infuriating they appear to have escaped justice. Even if they were caught now they would probably be in their sixties so lived a full life already.

The law that keeps prisoners inside who won't admit their guilt needs to be changed. Just maybe, as in this case and others, they really are not guilty. I really feel sorry for this man his whole life has been stolen from him.

 

[BrianW]

It's estimated that around 30% of the prison population in the UK have either lower than average IQ's ( eg around 70) or have borderline learning difficulties.

I suppose it's a case of jail or become an MP.

 

[dickie davies]

I suppose it's a case of jail or become an MP.

US president