Latest News
April 2007
BBC ROUGH JUSTICE
BBC ROUGH JUSTICE REPORTS
• True Crime Blog: Review of the Innocents' Brief
• East Anglia Daily Times: New Hope in Review of Case
• BBC Report: Murder Conviction Doubts Raised
• NEW MESSAGE FROM SIMON: Simon April 2007
• East Anglia Daily Times: Tests' cast doubt on murder conviction
• Evening Gazette: Documentary over murder is welcomed
• BBC Online: TV documentary on murder doubts
• Evening Star: Beeb Rewinds Hall Case
• East Anglia Daily Times : Programme to investigate murder case
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BBC ROUGH JUSTICE
“The Innocents' Brief” featuring Simon’s case
BBC1 - Thursday 12th April 2007 - 10.35pm
We would like to announce that some time ago the BBC selected Simon’s case to feature in a Special Rough Justice programme.
Also teaming up with the BBC is the Innocence Project from Bristol University.
The hour-long programme will feature five law students working with Simon’s legal and expert teams as well as his campaigners toward building an appeal and proving his innocence.
On behalf of Justice 4 Simon, we would like to thank everyone involved in the making of this film.
DON'T MISS IT!!
__________________
March 07
• Detective superintendent Roy Lambert who was responsible for Simon's arrest has announced that he is to retire...Good or bad news?
Please read more from the East Anglia Daily Times
• After sending our first application to the Criminal Case Review Commission at the end of 2004, a Case Review Manager has finally been appointed to work on Simon's case. We believe that this is a significant step forward in Simon's campaign.
• A new section has been added to Simon's website. Please read more under Testimonials.
• Please read about:- “The Grand Idea” by MOJO
What happens to Innocent people once they get released from prison?
Unlike the guilty who have a long and slow process before release, a day out, a weekend and then a whole week. Then when they are released they will have a network of support including a parole officer and a card with a list of helpline numbers.
What happens to the innocent?
The answer is heartache and misery, usually followed by a cycle of drugs or alcohol abuse, or both.
There is no help available for innocent people after they are released, no preparation, no counselling pre or post release nothing.
There can be no doubt that wrongful incarceration is damaging but what is worse is the way individuals are released back into society is compounding that damage. It would be a tragedy of immense proportions to think helping to get innocent people out of prison is ultimately damaging them irreparably.
This has to stop, please help us build a M.O.J.O. Retreat.
Follow the link below to read more about MOJO's Grand Idea and spread the word.
From The Miscarriages of Justice Organisation 'Bringing hope to the innocent'
Dedicated to assisting innocent people both in prison and after their release
Visit Mojo Retreat
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Sally Clark - Friday 16th March 2007
Please see Links "Other News "
***
February 2007
• Simon has been moved to a new prison, please see under the "Contact" page for more details
Coming up...
- New website for Simon
- Quotes from Legal Team members and Miscarriages of Justice Organisations in support of Simon
- New articles on the justice system
Keep logging on!
November 2006
• "CAMPAIGNERS fighting to free Simon Hall from prison today welcomed news that other cases involving the same pathologist were to be reviewed."
Simon Hall @ CCRC - From The Independent
Hopes for supporters of Simon Hall - From the Evening Star
Support for pathologist review news - From the Evening Star
To read the articles please click on Links "Related Articles"
September 2006
• " Million Campaign Homepage" New link added to the website, contact them to get your campaign linked.
To visit the website , click on Links "Useful Organisations "
• " Leading Pathologist quits" East Anglian reports: "Doctor chooses to resign rather than be struck off "
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• " Pathologist resigns from register." BBC online reports on Michael Heath resigning from the Home Office register. Following his recent disciplinary hearing the Doctor is due to receive his sanction on Monday 25th of September.
To read this piece , click on Links "Related Articles"
August 2006
• "Pathologist's errors open way for appeals..." The Guardian highlights Simon's case in another article on Michael Heath.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• Pathologist Michael Heath's tribunal hearing is over, East Anglia Daily Times reports: "Cases bungled by Pathologist". Sanction will be given next month and we will post more on this issue.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• For those of you who have been asking us questions and worrying about this issue, we would like to clarify the following:
Simon HAS NOT YET ASKED FOR AN APPEAL
Therefore
Simon HAS NOT BEEN TURNED DOWN FOR AN APPEAL
And finally
Simon HAS NOT LOST AN APPEAL
• 14th of September is Simon's 29th birthday, please take a moment to leave him a message of write to him directly. We will remind you in good time.
July 2006
• The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence (Wed 26 July, 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm BBC1) Do not miss this!!!
Reporter Mark Daly investigates Britain's most famous unsolved murder - the racist murder of black London teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993. Daly presents compelling new evidence, which fundamentally challenges the alibis of the five main suspects and reveals that police corruption helped shield the killers from conviction. (Thanks to Mark for his constant dedication to Truth and Justice)
• Sue May has written the following piece which we believe is worth a read and a thought:
....for a long time now I have tried to press for a more detailed procedure for juries. I know they have to be protected and remain anonymous, but it is they who seal our fate.
We can get transcripts of the trial and Judges summing up, but we have no way of knowing how the jury came to their conclusions. It is a well known fact that within a jury there will be more dominant people and this can often lead to some members being pressures and swayed into a decision. It would be very useful, especially for appeals, if we had written reasons of how the jury reached their verdict.
They could easily remain anonymous but it would point to the facts they relied on. Many of which, when it reaches appeal stage, can be discredited or other true facts can come forward after trial which will disprove the reason for giving a guilty verdict.
When delivering a guilty verdict each jury member should independently write there reasons down and merely sign..Juror 1, 2 3, etc.
It is transparency that we need in all aspects of our system.
Sue May (Thanks to Sue for letting me put this on our site)
Please visit Sue's website via our Links "Other Campaigns"
• BBC online have reported on Simon's tariff, indeed, Simon has been told that he will have to serve just over 12 years before he can apply for parole. We would like to thank Nic @ BBC online for his amendment to the article which originally claimed that Simon had "failed to gain an appeal".
Simon hasn't asked for an appeal yet as we believe that it will be to our advantage to approach the relevant organisations once all our forensic work is completed.
To read this piece , click on Links "Related Articles"
• East Anglian Daily Times have also printed a piece on this news. Obviously there is no way that this issue could have had any positive impact on our campaign at all and we fully expected the comments we received; everyone is entitled their opinions.
However, thanks to thousands of open minded people, our supporters list is growing day by day and they all believe that Simon will get justice one day.
We would also like to reiterate that things are going very well with our work and that we still have faith that this is just a number and that Simon's innocence will be proved!!
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• Next week marks the 4th YEAR of Simon's wrongful arrest, please take a moment to leave him a message in the guestbook or write to him directly.
Thank you for all your support.
• 2 NEW LINKS have been added to our site directed at pages on the web to help boost Simon's campaign; www.myspace.com/justice4simon and www.nowpublic.com , for more information please view these via our “Links” page, under “related articles”. Please pass these on.
To read more about these , click on Links "Related Articles"
June 2006
• The next MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE DAY has been scheduled for Saturday 14th of October in Liverpool, for more information, please visit the United Against Injustice website under "Links", "Useful Organisations".
• East Anglian Daily Star's report "Tribunal told doctor refused to back down "
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• Flawed evidence clears three of murder · Pathologist's testimony discredited, says judge · Home Office expert faces disciplinary tribunal
Please visit under “Links", " Related Articles" to read this BBC article.
•Michael Heath, the pathologist commissioned by the prosecution in Simon’s trial and whom we believe was detrimental to the case, appeared today in a London tribunal facing a disciplinary for his involvement in previous cases.
Already, 2 men were wrongly convicted and sentenced to life in prison due to Dr. Heath’s “opinions”; they have since had their convictions quashed.
Please visit the website, under “Links ”, “Related Articles” to read today actions.
The hearing is set to last 6 weeks and we will update the website to keep you informed so keep checking…
Should Dr. Heath be struck off, a review could be ordered into hundreds of cases for which he testified in court; Simon’s case could well be one of these.
To read these BBC reports, click on Links
May 2006
• 2 new reports added to the website; BBC Online " Petition Seeks Murder Case Review " and Evening Star "1000 sign Hall Petition"
To read the BBC report, click on Links , "Related Articles " and the Evening Star report under "Press and Media"
• East Anglian Daily Star's report "1000 Signatures in support of Hall"
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• On Friday, 12th of May 2006, our petition reached 1000 signatures..! A HUGE Thank You to EVERYONE who has signed up to it and a personal thank you to Mom and Loulou for working SO hard towards this first goal, you angels !
March 2006
• Evening Star reports: "Mum takes petition to College ".
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• Simon's Mother; Lynne has written a poem for her Son, please read under "Message From Simon" - "Poem".
• 86 new signatures were added to the petition yesterday (21/03/06) thanks to the hard work of Lynne (Simon's Mum) and Mical R who spent the day walking around Ipswich raising awareness of Simon's case...
• Booklet on Heatlhcare for prisoners added to the website.
Click on Links , "Useful Organisations"
February 2006
• Colchester Evening Gazette's report on the "Move".
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• MP's letters are now on the site for you to download and use to contact yours, thank you. (See under National Campaign to MP "Joining the fight".)
• According to a telephone call from Friday 24th of Feb, Simon will not be moved from H.M.P Dovegate.
• "SIMON HAS BEEN TOLD HE COULD BE MOVED TO TOUGHER JAIL", East Anglian reports on this story today, also BBC Look East will be reporting over the weekend.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• "No Smoke Without Fire" you can now find this most helpful booklet via our links page; how to get started where to get help, support,... good luck and keep fighting for Justice!!!
January 2006
• Mr. Tony Wright, MP for Great Yarmouth has today (23rd of January) given his support to our campaign , please keep contacting your MPs and asking for theirs, we now have 3 backing us out of around 600 MPs , there are no excuses and we need more, don't take no for an answer :)
• "Date is set for senior pathologist to face disciplinary tribunal". The Evening Star reports.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• Pathologist Michael Heath is to stop working for the police... WHY?! Dr Heath has refused to comment.
Click on Links , "Related Articles" to read today's article from the times. (16/01/06)
December 2005
• Private Eye's latest article regarding Dr. M. Heath, with a mention of Simon's case amongst revealing information on the pathologist who still practices for the Home Office... "Blasted Heath"
• The evening gazette reports on Bob Russell joining the campaign.
Click on "Press and Media" to read these Articles.
• New personal message from Simon's Mother and Brother, Click on Message from Simon to read these messages.
November 2005
• East Anglian Daily Times reports on Colchester MP offering his support to the Justice4Simon campaign, also the Evening Star's article.
Click on "Press and Media" to read these Articles.
• Mr. Bob Russell, MP for Colchester has today (29th November) confirmed that he will also be joining our campaign, please keep contacting your MP's and asking for their support.
• "Court of Appeal Judges criticise Doctor" East Anglian reports. Also featured an article from the Guardian "Murder cases may be reopened after criticism of Pathologist". More details on the Pathologist in Simon's trial.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the East Anglian Article.
Click on Links , "Related Articles" to read the Guardian Article.
• "Fresh Hopes for Family of Jailed Man " East Anglian reports: "Pathologist in trial facing a tribunal... "
• "Quashed conviction boost for campaign"Evening Star reports: "Home Office pathologist gave flawed evidence..."
Click on "Press and Media" to read these articles.
• Steven Puaca freed by the Courts of Appeal, quashed conviction. "Three Appeal Court judges said there was not enough evidence to support pathologist Michael Heath's conclusion the victim had died of asphyxia... "
Click on Links , "Related Articles" to read this article.
• The organisation "Innocent" has today declared they fully support Simon's campaign and this is featured on their website. Please visit "innocent.org.uk"
• One year ago, today (09/11/04) we launched this new website to free Simon from this miscarriage of justice. We would like to thank everyone for your all your support and comfort, all your messages and signatures and all your help throughout this year.
The campaign has made tremendous progress in the past year and hopefully this coming year will bring even more good news and the day Simon walks free closer. THANK YOU
October 2005
•Simon's new flyer is on the website, we need these to go everywhere in order to keep raising awareness of his situation. Please email us for our address and send a S.A.E and we will send you a flyer. Post them in your local facilities, back of your car, windows and help free Simon. You can see the flyer under Press and Media. Thank you
•"MP in murder appeal row", East Anglian reports. Mr Mole reiterates his support to Simon and our campaign.
•Private Eye has once again written for Simon and this time, exposed more innacuracies from the Pathologist in charge in previous and current cases.
Please note that there is an error in the article regarding our case but we have added a correction at the top of the page.
•Colchester Evening Gazette reports on Mr. Mole joining our campaign.
Click on "Press and Media" to read these articles.
• New article added: "Trial expert witnesses reviewed": The role of expert witnesses in trials is to be independently reviewed in an effort to prevent wrongful convictions, from the BBC Website.
Click on Links , "Related Articles" to read this.
•"In Brief" page has been updated for the site.
•BBC Suffolk radio reported on MP support on their Friday news bulletin (7th/10), BBC Look East Television reported on Saturday (8th/10) at 6pm and SGR Suffolk and Colchester will be reporting on Monday (11th/10).
•East Anglia Daily Times reports on Mr. Mole joining our campaign.
•Evening Star reports: "Family Hail MP Appeal Boost", "MP throws his support behind campaigners's battle to get murder conviction overturned.
Click on "Press and Media" to read these articles.
•BBC Online reports, "MP gives backing to justice group"
Click on Links , "Related Articles" to read this.
• Simon 's MP, Mr. Chris Mole has AGREED to back his campaign, please read his email under "MP Campaign", "Results". We need your help!!!
September 2005
• New Message from Simon posted on Monday 3rd of October, read it under "Message from Simon".
• "Pathologist facing murder cases probe". A forensic pathologist whose expertise has been used in a number of Suffolk murder enquiries has been refused a judicial review to stop his work being examined.... East Anglian Daily Times reports.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• We have added another article regarding Pathologist Michael Heath entitled " Murder conviction thrown into doubt", unfortunately it is dated from a while ago, however it shows doubts over the level of competence related to his work. We are in the process of contacting the home office again to ascertain the progress on the allegations made against him.
Please find the "related article" under Links
• Report from the Ipswich Advertiser and the East Anglia Daily Times further to Simon's reply to recent press articles: "I DESERVE A CHANCE "
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• We have finally managed to acquire a copy of the article, which appeared in the Daily Mail in April 2005 about the misconduct of the Judge who secured the conviction against Simon. Please refer to "Articles on the Justice System" to read it... (Apologies for the delay)
• Simon's 4th Birthday in prison!!! is on Wednesday 14th of September, thank you all for your support :)
• In rectification to a recent press article please note the following:
- Simon has not failed 2 appeals but indeed was refused an appeal in early 2003. This is why we have now applied to the Criminal Case Review Commission.
- Simon is appealing against his CONVICTION and NOT his SENTENCE ; an INNOCENT man does not dispute his tariff but in actual fact the wrong guilty verdict of his trial.
• New article on the Appeal Procedure under "Articles on the Justice System"
• New message from Simon in the guestbook in reply to the latest press articles from Mrs. Albert's family.
August 2005
• East Anglia reports; “PROBE CONTINUES INTO MESSAGE ... Police refusing to say if a serving officer was behind posting"
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• New LINKS added to the site; Miscarriage of Justice Day, Liberty and the IPCC website. Also a new article under Articles on the British System entitled : Extra time for being "In Denial", the deal on parole for innocent prisoners (thanks to Innocent for permission)
• MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE DAY is on October the 15th in Manchester, see above
• Article appears in the Evening Star entitled "MY DOUBTS" regarding Trace of Doubt from Victim's relative, another article also appears in the East Anglia relating to this story.
Please find the related article under Links
• Our National mailing to MP's is now complete. Altogether 506 valid email addresses were gathered and sent details of our Campaign, we will publish the results towards the end of September when all have returned from their holidays. Please contact your local MP and support Simon in his fight towards his APPEAL for justice to be done.
• BBC online and BBC Look East report on the inquiry launched after a police officer allegedly posted a message of support on our website.
• East Anglian reports: Email backing for convicted man, also a report on our National mailing to MP's.
• National mailing campaign is launched to try and gain support from MP's all over the country. Please contact your local MP and have YOUR SAY on Simon's Miscarriage of Justice.
• Forensic work is now on the way to help with Simon's appeal against his conviction, more updates as soon as results come through.
July 2005
• 25th of July, 3 YEARS since the day of Simon's wrongful arrest.
June 2005
• Scott Lomax has written another article on Simon's story for the organisation PORTIA who has now linked our website.
Please find the related article under Links
• Links page amended.
May 2005
• "Murder evidence set for review by expert" Article from the EADT
Please find the related article under Links
• Colchester radio is going broadcast another news report / interview on the new development in the case Monday 23rd of May from 6am to 9am every half hour. Tune in..... :)
• New Forensic Doubts over murder, BBC online reports; "A forensic expert has raised new doubts over the conviction". Also an interview with Jamie Barker.
Please find the related article under Links
• An exclusive interview between Simon and the Evening Star . "My Life Inside"
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• Colchester radio is going broadcast a news report / interview on Simon's campaign Monday 9th of May from 6am to 9am every half hour. Tune in..... :)
• Simon's campaign in Colchester's Evening Gazette; "CAMPAIGN FOR JAILED SIMON GATHERS PACE"
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
April 2005
• The Hadleigh Advertiser reports on Simon's message.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• BBC Online launches an appeal for witnesses.
• The Evening Star writes about Simon's application to the CCRC and about his campaign to clear his name.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• New section Articles on the justice system added.
• Simon has sent his application for appeal to the CCRC. BBC Online and BBC Look east report.
• Simon makes the news again, East Anglian Daily Time and Evening Star report on Simon's personal message from the website.
Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
March 2005
• Further to reading the site, investigating and meeting with us PRIVATE EYE prints Simon's story!! (Massive thank you to my uncle John for your faith in Simon, as well as all your help and support). Click on "Press and Media" to read the article.
• At last a personal "Message from Simon"...
February 2005
• An official complaint is being sent to the Home Office against the Crown Prosecution's Pathologist for not following the guidelines during the investigation leading to Simon's arrest.
• True Crime Writer SC Lomax's own write up of Simon's story is now available on his website.
Please find the related articles under Links
January 2005
• A journalist discovers Simon's website, follows up on the articles regarding Michael Heath with the Home Office and gets confirmation: Simon makes the headlines with NEW HOPES! (Click on Links below to read more!!!)
• We have discovered 2 articles related to the Crow Prosecution's Pathologist, Michael Heath , who was in charge of Simon's case. ("No time of death")
He also worked on the infamous Michael Barrymore's Case amongst others.
It would appear that Mr Heath has since been referred to a disciplinary panel further to complaints and it is possible that his previous work now requires to be reviewed.
Please find the related articles under Links
October / November 2004
• We are in the process of applying to the CCRC to register Simon and apply for leave to appeal after 2 refusals
• New Lawyers are being approached to gain new Legal Representation
• Forensic Institute contacted to locate a new Forensic Expert
• New Updated Website put online
• Application form is being completed to send to Rough Justice
September 2004
• First contact made with the organisation "Innocent"
April 2004
• Second attempt for Leave to appeal, this time 3 Judges refuse
March 2003
• Simon's Legal Team put their brief together for Leave To Appeal
• On the first occasion, a "Single Judge in Chamber" will refuse Leave to Appeal (we are told that this is standard procedure)
February 2003
• Simon loses his trial and is convicted of murder in Norwich Crown Court
July 2002
• Simon is arrested and remanded in custody on suspicion of murder
December 2001
• Joan Albert is found dead by a neighbour in her own home (16th December)