No charges over Jessie James murder
No charges to be issued against two men arrested in connection with murder of Jessie James
Monday, 24, Sep 2007 07:26
Prosecutors have ruled that there is insufficient evidence to charge two men arrested in connection with the murder of Manchester teenager Jessie James.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was "not enough evidence" to proceed with criminal charges against a 20-year-old from Hulme and a 21-year-old from Old Trafford.
Jessie, 15, was shot and killed as he cycled through a park in Moss Side in the early hours of September 9th last year.
Despite numerous appeals by Greater Manchester police (GMP) and his family for the local community to name his killers, no one has been charged with his murder.
GMP said that the arrest on August 9th of two men in connection with Jessie's murder had been the "most significant development this investigation has seen so far".
An inquest into the teenager's death, suspended in light of the police's arrests, is set to resume in the coming weeks.
Reviewing lawyer John Lord, head of Manchester CPS' complex casework unit, explained: "Having reviewed all the evidence given to me, I have decided on the evidence provided so far that it is insufficient for a realistic prospect of conviction and does not justify the charging of either suspect in connection with Jessie's murder.
"Given the ongoing investigation, it would not be right to go into any details of the evidence which the police have gathered. All I am prepared to say is that aside from a question of admissibility in relation to one of those arrested, there are serious contradictions and inconsistencies contained in the latest evidence which would undermine a prosecution based upon that material.
"If further evidence comes to light which changes this, then I would review this decision."
Detective Superintendent Shaun Donnellan, senior investigating officer in the investigation for GMP, admitted that the CPS decision was "disappointing".
"We just need people to come forward," he reiterated.
"If we are to bring the killers to justice we need solid evidence. I know that it lies somewhere out there in the community. Like the majority of the community in Moss Side, and Jessie's family and friends, we want his killers caught and prosecuted," DS Donnellan continued.
"The recent inquest showed we will go to great lengths to make sure no one will ever know who witnesses are. We will disguise your voice, allow you to give evidence outside of Manchester via videolink and behind screens.
"The people sitting in court will not even know if you are a man or a woman and you will then be able to return to your community and back to life as normal, with no-one any the wiser.
"Let's put a stop to this before any other 15-year-old boys are murdered. Give his family some peace."