A bishop is speaking out against an injustice faced by murder convict Jason Moore and is urging the new Labour justice secretary to take action. Jason, who is currently serving life in prison for a crime he claims he did not commit, is seeking a review of his case.
Jason’s parents have been pleading for his case to be reexamined, as they believe there is evidence that undermines his conviction. The Bishop of Stepney has criticized the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) for failing to act on cases like Jason’s, highlighting the need for competence and integrity in investigating miscarriages of justice.
The bishop referenced another case where the CCRC failed to refer Andrew Malkinson to the Court of Appeal despite DNA evidence proving his innocence. This resulted in Malkinson spending additional years in prison for a crime he did not commit. The bishop emphasized the importance of timely reviews and actions to prevent further injustices.
Jason and Malkinson were both convicted based on eyewitness testimony without forensic evidence linking them to the crimes. In Jason’s case, the eyewitness who identified him had previously provided inconsistent and inaccurate accounts to the police. Despite mounting evidence pointing to Jason’s innocence, the CCRC has refused to reinvestigate his case and conduct DNA testing.
The bishop highlighted the frustration faced by Jason’s family in seeking justice and the lack of meaningful help from politicians and the CCRC. She called for a review of all outstanding cases ignored by the CCRC under the previous government to ensure that justice is served. The delays in reviewing these cases only compound the injustices faced by individuals like Jason and Malkinson.
In an interview, the bishop emphasized the need for a timely and thorough review of cases like Jason’s to prevent further injustices. She called on the government to allocate the necessary resources to address the systemic issues within the CCRC and ensure that cases are reviewed promptly.
The CCRC has stated that it will review similar cases following the failings identified in Malkinson’s case. The bishop’s advocacy for justice in cases like Jason’s underscores the importance of addressing miscarriages of justice and ensuring that individuals are not wrongfully convicted.