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Sam Hallam released on appeal

Sam Hallam celebrates his freedom 18 May 2012

Sam Hallam criticises Metropolitan police by Sandra Laville 18 May 2012

Escaping a fate almost worse than death by Erwin James 18 May 2012

Hallam's case will send shockwaves through criminal justice system by Kim Evans 18 May 2012

28 July 2011: CCRC refers case for new appeal

Sam was convicted in 2005 of the murder of Ethiopian refugee Essayas Kassahun. A gang of youths attacked Mr Kassahun's friend, and when he went to help, Mr Kassahun was stabbed.

Sam was convicted only on very poor identification evidence. But the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission says:

Sam Hallam applied to the CCRC for a review of his case in February 2008.

The Commission has carried out an extensive investigation into the case pursuing many of its own lines of enquiry as well as investigating the issues raised by Mr Hallam and his supporters.

Following its investigations into the case, the Commission has decided to refer Sam Hallam’s convictions to the Court of Appeal because it considers that a range of issues, including new evidence capable of casting doubt on the reliability of identification evidence at trial, together raise the real possibility that the Court of Appeal would now quash the conviction.

A referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission means that the Court of Appeal will now hear a fresh appeal against Mr Hallam’s conviction and make a decision on whether to quash or uphold the conviction.

Mr Hallam is supported by a campaign (see www.samhallam.com). The contact there is Mr Paul May on 07985 238666. (Source: Justin Hawkins, Head of Communication, Criminal Cases Review Commission, on 0121 233 0906 or e-mail press@ccrc.gov.uk)

Actor Ray Winstone is backing Sam's campaign to overturn his conviction. A website set up by supporters including veteran campaigner Paul May explains his case. Please visit and judge for yourself whether Sam should have been convicted.

JUSTICE FOR SAM HALLAM

Seven new witnesses say Sam Hallam was not at the scene, by Mark Hughes, Crime correspondent
13 June 2009

FREE TEEN ‘MURDERER’ by Simon Wroe, 4 May 2007

Hoodie murderers jailed for life
23rd November 2005