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Kevin Lane's appeal argument outlines alternative scenario for Magill murder Kevin Lane's appeal argument outlines alternative scenario for Magill murder
(35 minutes later)
Two men were named in the court of appeal on Wednesday as the likeliest suspects for a contract killing for which another man has served 20 years in prison. The court also heard that a corrupt detective played a major part in the conviction of Kevin Lane, who was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 1996 for the murder of Robert Magill.Two men were named in the court of appeal on Wednesday as the likeliest suspects for a contract killing for which another man has served 20 years in prison. The court also heard that a corrupt detective played a major part in the conviction of Kevin Lane, who was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 1996 for the murder of Robert Magill.
Magill was shot dead in 1994 by a hitman in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire as he was walking his dogs. Two men fled the scene in a BMW car which was later found. Kevin Lane, a former boxer and bouncer, and Roger Vincent were charged in 1995 with the murder. Magill was shot dead in 1994 by a hitman in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire as he was walking his dogs. Two men fled the scene in a BMW car, which was later found. Kevin Lane, a former boxer and bouncer, and Roger Vincent were charged in 1995 with the murder.
The main evidence against the two men revolved around fingerprints found on bin liners in the car. Vincent was cleared but Lane was convicted on a 10-2 majority after a re-trial and has been protesting his innocence ever since. The main evidence against the two men revolved around fingerprints found on bin liners in the car. Vincent was cleared but Lane was convicted on a 10-2 majority after a retrial and has been protesting his innocence ever since. Lane, 47, who was released from prison in January, was in court for the hearing but not asked to give evidence.
Lane, 47, who was released from prison in January, was in court for the hearing but not asked to give evidence.
Joel Bennathan QC for Lane told Lady Justice Rafferty, Mr Justice William Davis and Judge Inman QC that some appeals contained evidence of police corruption and others indicated the likely perpetrators. “This application has both these elements,” he said.Joel Bennathan QC for Lane told Lady Justice Rafferty, Mr Justice William Davis and Judge Inman QC that some appeals contained evidence of police corruption and others indicated the likely perpetrators. “This application has both these elements,” he said.
The court heard that DI Christopher Spackman, of Hertfordshire police, a key officer in the case, was convicted in 2003 of conspiracy to steal £160,000 and of misconduct in a public office. He was jailed for four years. He had also forged documents and witness statements, been involved in cannabis cultivation and had held “off the record” meetings with Vincent, the court heard. He also told the original trial that some witnesses were untraceable when this was not the case.The court heard that DI Christopher Spackman, of Hertfordshire police, a key officer in the case, was convicted in 2003 of conspiracy to steal £160,000 and of misconduct in a public office. He was jailed for four years. He had also forged documents and witness statements, been involved in cannabis cultivation and had held “off the record” meetings with Vincent, the court heard. He also told the original trial that some witnesses were untraceable when this was not the case.
Joel Bennathan told the court that, in 2005, Roger Vincent and his close friend, Dave Smith, had been convicted of the contract killing of Dave King, a drug dealer, who was shot dead with a Kalashnikov AK-47 outside a gym in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. King was suspected of being a police informer after being released on bail in a drugs importation case. Vincent and Smith were jailed for life with minimum tariffs of 30 and 25 years respectively. Joel Bennathan told the court that, in 2005, Roger Vincent and his close friend, Dave Smith, had been convicted of the contract killing of Dave King, a drug dealer, who was shot dead with a Kalashnikov AK-47 outside a gym in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. King was suspected of being a police informer after being released on bail in a drug importation case. Vincent and Smith were jailed for life with minimum tariffs of 30 and 25 years respectively.
“Both men were full-time criminals, they were like brothers,” said Bennathan. “We say that they were professionally close and the profession was criminal ... This was a crude but effective killing”, with many similarities to the murder of Magill. There was a “compelling picture” that Smith and Vincent had also carried out the Magill murder and had acted as a two-man team: “one drove, one shot.” “Both men were full-time criminals – they were like brothers,” said Bennathan. “We say that they were professionally close and the profession was criminal ... This was a crude but effective killing”, with many similarities to the murder of Magill. There was a “compelling picture” that Smith and Vincent had also carried out the Magill murder and had acted as a two-man team: “one drove, one shot”.
“The court must have disquiet about what is going on here,” said Bennathan, referring to the fact that Spackman was a corrupt officer with access to the case’s exhibits and had links to Vincent and Smith. “In assessing the safety of the conviction, the court is entitled to put together what was known then and what is known now,” he added.“The court must have disquiet about what is going on here,” said Bennathan, referring to the fact that Spackman was a corrupt officer with access to the case’s exhibits and had links to Vincent and Smith. “In assessing the safety of the conviction, the court is entitled to put together what was known then and what is known now,” he added.
Judgement was reserved. Previously, Spackman has denied any impropriety in the case and Vincent and Smith have denied the Magill shooting.Judgement was reserved. Previously, Spackman has denied any impropriety in the case and Vincent and Smith have denied the Magill shooting.
Lane, nicknamed “Lights Out Lane” in his boxing days, spent many of his years in prison investigating the nature of the case against him and the law. Lane, nicknamed “Lights Out Lane” in his boxing days, spent many of his years in prison investigating the nature of the case against him and the law. He now works in the construction industry and lives in Kent. He was accompanied to court by his family, friends and supporters of the campaign to prove his innocence. His case was originally covered in the Guardian more than a decade ago.
He now works in the construction industry and lives in Kent. He was accompanied to court by family, friends and supporters of the campaign to prove his innocence. His case was originally covered in The Guardian more than a decade ago. Lane has written a book about his experience, which opens with a quote from Arthur Schopenhauer: “Fate shuffles the cards and we play.”
Lane has written a book about his experience which opens with a quote from Arthur Schopenhauer: “fate shuffles the cards and we play.”