This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/7764102.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
No decision over Shields pardon | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Judges at the High Court have reserved judgement in the case of jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields to decide if a free pardon can be granted. | |
He is serving 10 years for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman. | He is serving 10 years for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman. |
Solicitors for Shields, from Edge Hill, have argued the conviction was based on thin evidence. | |
Shields, 22, is seeking a judicial review after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to issue a free pardon cancelling his conviction. | |
The Liverpool man's solicitors said the decision, on Thursday, left their client in a "legal limbo". | |
Two High Court judges were urged to rule that Mr Straw could exercise the ancient "royal prerogative of mercy". | Two High Court judges were urged to rule that Mr Straw could exercise the ancient "royal prerogative of mercy". |
The power to pardon is rarely used, but is exercised when a person is deemed to be "morally and technically innocent". | The power to pardon is rarely used, but is exercised when a person is deemed to be "morally and technically innocent". |
Mr Straw has previously said he has no jurisdiction to consider either a pardon or an early release - and insisted it was down to Bulgarian authorities. | Mr Straw has previously said he has no jurisdiction to consider either a pardon or an early release - and insisted it was down to Bulgarian authorities. |
Three-and-a-half years for an 18-year-old to be locked up for a crime he did not commit, it's heartbreaking and it has destroyed him Maria Shields, mother | Three-and-a-half years for an 18-year-old to be locked up for a crime he did not commit, it's heartbreaking and it has destroyed him Maria Shields, mother |
Shields has always maintained his innocence, and Fair Trials Abroad described his conviction as a blatant miscarriage of justice. | Shields has always maintained his innocence, and Fair Trials Abroad described his conviction as a blatant miscarriage of justice. |
Another fan - not an associate of Shields - signed a statement admitting he was the man responsible. | Another fan - not an associate of Shields - signed a statement admitting he was the man responsible. |
But the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council said the evidence did not prove anything and merely introduced doubt. | But the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council said the evidence did not prove anything and merely introduced doubt. |
Lord Justice May and Mr Justice Maddison were asked to decide whether there were powers "to grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction". | Lord Justice May and Mr Justice Maddison were asked to decide whether there were powers "to grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction". |
The judges heard that Shields had taken a polygraph lie-detector test. | The judges heard that Shields had taken a polygraph lie-detector test. |
Sentence 'taken toll' | Sentence 'taken toll' |
Shields was convicted of attempted murder after a paving slab was dropped on barman Martin Georgiev's head. | Shields was convicted of attempted murder after a paving slab was dropped on barman Martin Georgiev's head. |
The attack followed Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul in May 2005. | The attack followed Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul in May 2005. |
Shields is currently serving the remainder of his sentence, which was cut to 10 years on appeal in Bulgaria, at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria. | Shields is currently serving the remainder of his sentence, which was cut to 10 years on appeal in Bulgaria, at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria. |
Shields' mother Maria said the conviction had "taken its toll" on him. | Shields' mother Maria said the conviction had "taken its toll" on him. |
"Three-and-a-half years for an 18-year-old to be locked up for a crime he did not commit, it's heartbreaking and it has destroyed him," she said. | "Three-and-a-half years for an 18-year-old to be locked up for a crime he did not commit, it's heartbreaking and it has destroyed him," she said. |