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New Year gun killers may appeal New Year gun killers may appeal
(about 1 hour later)
The four men convicted of murdering two teenage girls outside a New Year party may go to the Court of Appeal following a ruling over anonymous witnesses.The four men convicted of murdering two teenage girls outside a New Year party may go to the Court of Appeal following a ruling over anonymous witnesses.
The men were convicted over the shooting of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare in Birmingham in 2003.The men were convicted over the shooting of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare in Birmingham in 2003.
On Tuesday, Law Lords ruled a man convicted of a gun killing on the basis of evidence given by anonymous witnesses did not receive a fair trial. On Tuesday, law lords ruled a killer convicted through evidence of anonymous witnesses did not receive a fair trial.
An anonymous witness was used for the first time in the men's trial in 2005. An anonymous witness was used for the first time in the trial of Charlene and Letisha's killers, in 2005.
'Urgent matter''Urgent matter'
Solicitor Errol Robinson, acting on behalf of Marcus Ellis and Rodrigo Simms, said the case would be referred back to the Criminal Cases Review Commission "as a matter of urgency". Solicitor Errol Robinson, acting on behalf of two of the killers, Marcus Ellis and Rodrigo Simms, said the case would be referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission "as a matter of urgency".
The board will then decide if the case can go to the Court of Appeal.The board will then decide if the case can go to the Court of Appeal.
At the end of their trial in March 2005 judge Mr Justice Goldring recommended minimum terms of 35 years in the case of Ellis, Gregory and Martin and that Simms should serve at least 27 years in jail before he can be considered for parole. At the end of their trial in March 2005 judge Mr Justice Goldring recommended minimum terms of 35 years in the case of Ellis, and those of the other killers Michael Gregory and Nathan Martin.
He also said Simms should serve at least 27 years in jail before he can be considered for parole.
THE CONVICTED MEN AND AGES AT TIME OF CONVICTION Marcus Ellis, 24, of Devonshire Avenue, Winson Green, BirminghamMichael Gregory, 23, of Ryland Street, Ladywood, BirminghamNathan Martin, 26, of South Road, SmethwickRodrigo Simms, 20, of Whitehouse Drive, SmethwickTHE CONVICTED MEN AND AGES AT TIME OF CONVICTION Marcus Ellis, 24, of Devonshire Avenue, Winson Green, BirminghamMichael Gregory, 23, of Ryland Street, Ladywood, BirminghamNathan Martin, 26, of South Road, SmethwickRodrigo Simms, 20, of Whitehouse Drive, Smethwick
Defence lawyers have since unsuccessfully argued the trial was unfair because, for the first time, a prosecution witness was allowed to give evidence anonymously.Defence lawyers have since unsuccessfully argued the trial was unfair because, for the first time, a prosecution witness was allowed to give evidence anonymously.
Mr Robinson said that before Tuesday's outcome, solicitors had been considering going to the European Court of Human Rights over the matter. Mr Robinson said that before the law lords' ruling on Tuesday, solicitors had been considering going to the European Court of Human Rights over the matter.
He said: "[Tuesday's] judgement leaves us in a position where we can make an application for the case to go back to the Court of Appeal.He said: "[Tuesday's] judgement leaves us in a position where we can make an application for the case to go back to the Court of Appeal.
"There is no reason why that should not occur and we are hopeful there would be a more just outcome.""There is no reason why that should not occur and we are hopeful there would be a more just outcome."
Charlene Ellis, 18, and Letisha Shakespeare, 17, were killed by a sub-machine gun fired from a car outside the Uniseven hair salon in Aston, Birmingham, on 2 January 2003. Charlene, 18, and Letisha, 17, were killed when a sub-machine gun was fired from a car outside the Uniseven hair salon in Aston, Birmingham, on 2 January 2003.