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Call for end to double jeopardy Call for end to double jeopardy
(about 14 hours later)
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie has called for the law on double jeopardy to be changed so that a person can be tried twice for the same crime.Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie has called for the law on double jeopardy to be changed so that a person can be tried twice for the same crime.
In England the 800-year-old principle was abolished in 2005, meaning people could face trial again if new and compelling evidence emerged.In England the 800-year-old principle was abolished in 2005, meaning people could face trial again if new and compelling evidence emerged.
The Conservatives want to see similar changes introduced in Scotland.The Conservatives want to see similar changes introduced in Scotland.
A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said it had no current plans to change the law regarding double jeopardy.A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said it had no current plans to change the law regarding double jeopardy.
Compelling evidenceCompelling evidence
Last year legal history was made when William Dunlop became the first person in the UK to be convicted of a crime for which he had he had previously been acquitted.Last year legal history was made when William Dunlop became the first person in the UK to be convicted of a crime for which he had he had previously been acquitted.
He was jailed for life after he admitted strangling 22-year-old Julie Hogg.He was jailed for life after he admitted strangling 22-year-old Julie Hogg.
Dunlop had previously stood trial for the killing twice, but on both occasions the jury failed to reach a verdict and he was formally cleared.Dunlop had previously stood trial for the killing twice, but on both occasions the jury failed to reach a verdict and he was formally cleared.
However he later told police he had lied in court.However he later told police he had lied in court.
Miss Goldie said: "We propose that in cases where new or compelling evidence becomes available, a retrial is allowed at the discretion of the lord advocate and the Scottish Court of Criminal Appeal." Ms Goldie said: "We propose that in cases where new or compelling evidence becomes available, a retrial is allowed at the discretion of the lord advocate and the Scottish Court of Criminal Appeal."
She said that recent advances in forensic technology meant material "not formerly usable as evidence could now be pivotal".She said that recent advances in forensic technology meant material "not formerly usable as evidence could now be pivotal".
"We anticipate its use being very rare, but in those few cases where new evidence enables the delivery of justice to a killer or other serious offenders and solace to a family, it is a change well worth making," she added."We anticipate its use being very rare, but in those few cases where new evidence enables the delivery of justice to a killer or other serious offenders and solace to a family, it is a change well worth making," she added.