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Murder conviction to be reviewed | Murder conviction to be reviewed |
(30 minutes later) | |
A man who has spent 27 years in prison for murdering a woman in 1979 is expected to be freed by the Court of Appeal in light of new DNA evidence. | A man who has spent 27 years in prison for murdering a woman in 1979 is expected to be freed by the Court of Appeal in light of new DNA evidence. |
Sean Hodgson was jailed for strangling Teresa De Simone, 22, in Southampton. She was found in her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub. | Sean Hodgson was jailed for strangling Teresa De Simone, 22, in Southampton. She was found in her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub. |
Mr Hodgson will become one of the longest-serving victims of a miscarriage of justice if released. | Mr Hodgson will become one of the longest-serving victims of a miscarriage of justice if released. |
He confessed before pleading not guilty at his Winchester Crown Court trial. | He confessed before pleading not guilty at his Winchester Crown Court trial. |
Forensic case review | Forensic case review |
At that time DNA tests were not available. Such evidence was not used in court until 1986 in Leicester. | At that time DNA tests were not available. Such evidence was not used in court until 1986 in Leicester. |
But in November, following requests from Mr Hodgson's legal team, Hampshire Constabulary and the Forensic Science Service undertook a case review. | But in November, following requests from Mr Hodgson's legal team, Hampshire Constabulary and the Forensic Science Service undertook a case review. |
Material, including DNA on samples collected at the time of the murder, was examined. | Material, including DNA on samples collected at the time of the murder, was examined. |
It is understood the DNA found at the scene did not match a sample given by Mr Hodgson, also known as Robert Graham Hodgson and originally from County Durham. | It is understood the DNA found at the scene did not match a sample given by Mr Hodgson, also known as Robert Graham Hodgson and originally from County Durham. |
Because of the new evidence, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), an independent body which investigates possible miscarriages of justice, referred his case to the Court of Appeal. | Because of the new evidence, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), an independent body which investigates possible miscarriages of justice, referred his case to the Court of Appeal. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
It considered there was a "real possibility the court would consider the conviction unsafe and quash it". | It considered there was a "real possibility the court would consider the conviction unsafe and quash it". |
At Mr Hodgson's trial, prosecutors relied on the confessions and match of blood type with samples found at the scene. | At Mr Hodgson's trial, prosecutors relied on the confessions and match of blood type with samples found at the scene. |
Meanwhile, his defence team had argued he was a pathological liar and that the confessions were false. | Meanwhile, his defence team had argued he was a pathological liar and that the confessions were false. |
The Crown is not expected to oppose Mr Hodgson's conviction challenge at the hearing. | The Crown is not expected to oppose Mr Hodgson's conviction challenge at the hearing. |
His appeal will be heard by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Wyn Williams in London. | His appeal will be heard by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Wyn Williams in London. |
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