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/7070586.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Gangland murders new evidence due New witness over gangland murders
(about 2 hours later)
New evidence which it is claimed could overturn the convictions of two men for the "Essex Boys" gangland murders is being presented by a solicitor later. Evidence from a witness which a lawyer says could overturn the convictions of two men for the "Essex Boys" gangland murders is being presented later.
Michael Steele, 64, and Jack Whomes, 46, received life sentences for the triple killing in Rettendon in 1995.Michael Steele, 64, and Jack Whomes, 46, received life sentences for the triple killing in Rettendon in 1995.
Steele, of Great Bentley, Essex, and Whomes, of Brockford, Suffolk, were jailed for killing Patrick Tate, 36, Tony Tucker, 38, and Craig Rolfe, 26.Steele, of Great Bentley, Essex, and Whomes, of Brockford, Suffolk, were jailed for killing Patrick Tate, 36, Tony Tucker, 38, and Craig Rolfe, 26.
Lawyer Chris Bowen will put evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.Lawyer Chris Bowen will put evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
He has until Wednesday to make final submissions to the commission on behalf of his client Steele, who is serving a life sentence at Cambridgeshire's Whitemoor jail. 'Justice miscarriage'
This is a case of innocence - they are innocent men who should not be in prison Solicitor Chris Bowen Mr Bowen says a new witness saw the three men in a Range Rover several hours after prosecutors said they were killed, in Workhouse Lane, Rettendon on the evening of 6 December 1995.
In 1998 Steele and Whome were convicted of the triple murder at the Old Bailey, which heard that the murders followed a dispute over a drug deal.
The trial became known as the Essex Boys case after it inspired a film of that name starring Sean Bean.
Mr Bowen, who has worked on the case for more than 11 years, said Steele and Whomes were the victims of a miscarriage of justice.Mr Bowen, who has worked on the case for more than 11 years, said Steele and Whomes were the victims of a miscarriage of justice.
He said: "I expect (members of the commission) to interview me so I can give them information. He said: "I believe this evidence on its own indicates that the time of death intimated to the jury at the trial could not possibly have been correct.
"This in itself completely demolishes the prosecution case.
Michael Steele and Jack Whomes are both serving life for murderMichael Steele and Jack Whomes are both serving life for murder
"In order for them to fully comprehend what I have discovered this year I want them to formally meet with me to discuss the areas of concern. "During the trial an independent witness [a local resident] said that six gunshots were heard near the village around midnight. This new evidence supports this version of events.
"This is a case of innocence - they are innocent men who should not be in prison." "We say that unused material not used at the trial suggests the murders did indeed take place in the early hours of 7 December."
Judges upheld the convictions and rejected appeals from Whomes and Steele in 2006. Mr Bowen has until Wednesday to make final submissions to the commission on behalf of his client Steele, who is serving a life sentence at Cambridgeshire's Whitemoor jail.
A spokeswoman for the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which can refer possible miscarriages of justice to the appeal courts, confirmed that a review of Steele and Whomes's case was active. In 1998 Steele and Whomes were convicted of the triple murder at the Old Bailey, which heard that the murders followed a dispute over a drug deal. Judges upheld the convictions and rejected appeals from Whomes and Steele in 2006.
The trial became known as the Essex Boys case after it inspired a film of that name starring Sean Bean.
A spokeswoman for the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which can refer possible miscarriages of justice to the appeal courts, confirmed that a review of Steele and Whomes' case was active.