AC 3.2 Writing Frames
*Must link to the brief*
Just verdicts:
A just verdict is one that is viewed as deserved. It also means that verdict has
been given lawfully and takes into account all of the facts presented in the case.
This means that someone who is guilty is found guilty and likewise innocent
found innocent.
On the 22nd of April 1993, Stephen Lawrence was killed in a completely
unprovoked racist attack while waiting with his friend Duwayne Brooks at a bus
stop. The police identified Gary Dobson, David Norris, Luke Knight and Neil and
Jamie Acourt as suspects and arrested them. Brooks later identified the Luke
Knight and Neil Acourt in a line up but the CPS dropped all charges as they
stated Brooks was unreliable. Stephen’s parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence,
then took it upon themselves to launch a private investigation in September
1994 after further evidence was discovered and subsequently dismissed by the
CPS. However, all the suspects received a not guilty verdict as the testimonial
evidence was too weak. This verdict is unjust because the CPS refused to take
the time to properly examine important evidence, including tip-offs of the
suspects, and refused to put the case to trial, which left Lawrence’s parents
responsible.
The Macpherson report was published in 1999. Since 1997, William Macpherson
had been investigating the case of Stephen Lawrence and in the report, they
stated that the police had been institutionally racist. This report also contributed
to the change in the double jeopardy law, meaning someone could be tried for
the same crime twice if new evidence was brought to light.
However, there was a turning point in the case when scientists discovered a
microscopic blood stain on Dobson’s jacket during a review of the evidence in
2007. This led to another trial of Dobson and Norris which resulted in them both
being found guilty of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Therefore, this makes the
verdict partially just because it saw 2 of Lawrence’s killers receive a rightfully
guilty verdict. Although, it is not completely just because the 3 other suspects
never received their rightful verdict.
In conclusion, the case of Stephen Lawrence didn’t originally reach a just verdict,
as all of the suspects were found not guilty, but justice was eventually served to
2 out of 5 of the original suspects, making it just in some respects. However,
Stephen’s family are still fighting to reach a just verdict for all of the individuals
involved. Despite this, the case did bring about the Macpherson report, which
highlighted major flaws within the police force. Thus, increasing the chance of
more just verdicts in the future.
Safe verdicts:
A safe verdict is one that is reached after a fair trial has taken place. This means
that all of the evidence used to convict the defendant is admissible and all of the
procedures have been correctly followed.
In September 1963, Wendy Sewell was attacked and sexually assaulted in
Bakewell Cemetery, Derbyshire. She died two days later in hospital from the
*Must link to the brief*
Just verdicts:
A just verdict is one that is viewed as deserved. It also means that verdict has
been given lawfully and takes into account all of the facts presented in the case.
This means that someone who is guilty is found guilty and likewise innocent
found innocent.
On the 22nd of April 1993, Stephen Lawrence was killed in a completely
unprovoked racist attack while waiting with his friend Duwayne Brooks at a bus
stop. The police identified Gary Dobson, David Norris, Luke Knight and Neil and
Jamie Acourt as suspects and arrested them. Brooks later identified the Luke
Knight and Neil Acourt in a line up but the CPS dropped all charges as they
stated Brooks was unreliable. Stephen’s parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence,
then took it upon themselves to launch a private investigation in September
1994 after further evidence was discovered and subsequently dismissed by the
CPS. However, all the suspects received a not guilty verdict as the testimonial
evidence was too weak. This verdict is unjust because the CPS refused to take
the time to properly examine important evidence, including tip-offs of the
suspects, and refused to put the case to trial, which left Lawrence’s parents
responsible.
The Macpherson report was published in 1999. Since 1997, William Macpherson
had been investigating the case of Stephen Lawrence and in the report, they
stated that the police had been institutionally racist. This report also contributed
to the change in the double jeopardy law, meaning someone could be tried for
the same crime twice if new evidence was brought to light.
However, there was a turning point in the case when scientists discovered a
microscopic blood stain on Dobson’s jacket during a review of the evidence in
2007. This led to another trial of Dobson and Norris which resulted in them both
being found guilty of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Therefore, this makes the
verdict partially just because it saw 2 of Lawrence’s killers receive a rightfully
guilty verdict. Although, it is not completely just because the 3 other suspects
never received their rightful verdict.
In conclusion, the case of Stephen Lawrence didn’t originally reach a just verdict,
as all of the suspects were found not guilty, but justice was eventually served to
2 out of 5 of the original suspects, making it just in some respects. However,
Stephen’s family are still fighting to reach a just verdict for all of the individuals
involved. Despite this, the case did bring about the Macpherson report, which
highlighted major flaws within the police force. Thus, increasing the chance of
more just verdicts in the future.
Safe verdicts:
A safe verdict is one that is reached after a fair trial has taken place. This means
that all of the evidence used to convict the defendant is admissible and all of the
procedures have been correctly followed.
In September 1963, Wendy Sewell was attacked and sexually assaulted in
Bakewell Cemetery, Derbyshire. She died two days later in hospital from the
