Sam Hallam

Sam Hallam was convicted of the murder of Essayas Kassahun during a street brawl. A number of eyewitnesses gave evidence. Sam also gave an alibi which was incorrect. An initial appeal failed on the basis that the witnesses could still be relied upon. The conviction was quashed at a second appeal on the basis of the unreliability of the witness testimony (particularly given new evidence suggesting greater collusion than had initially been suggested) and evidence from Sam’s phone which suggested that he was with his grandmother and then father on the day that the offence took place, and that his failed alibi may have been the result of a mistake and not deception. Failures in disclosure were also raised but the court found that they were not necessary to consider given other conclusions.

View Press (en.wikipedia.org)