People / Spotlight
Trainee lawyer helps quash murder conviction
A trainee lawyer from Bristol has helped to overturn a murder conviction in the Court of Appeal.
Caitlin Gallagher worked with Cardiff Law School on the case of Dwaine George, who was sentenced to life for a murder which took place in Manchester in 2001.
The former gang member was convicted of the murder of 18-year-old Daniel Dale. After his initial appeal was rejected by the Court of Appeal, he contacted Cardiff Law School’s Innocence Project.
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Caitlin, who is a trainee at Gregg Latchams on Queen Square, spent eight years working on the case as a student.
She said: “Dwaine inspired the team at Cardiff Law School to join his long journey to clear his name through a scheme that doesn’t just educate, but enthuses and assists students to pursue a career in law.
“I feel extremely lucky to have been part of such a unique and driven team of staff and students, all working towards overturning miscarriages of justice.
“I hope that the judgment encourages other innocence projects as their work will become more important in light of the recent legal aid cuts.”
Dwaine served 12 years in prison whilst consistently maintaining his innocence, after being convicted on the basis of gunshot residue found on his clothing.
However, in November 2013, following new scientific evidence and an application by the Innocence Project, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred the conviction to the Court of Appeal for a second time where his conviction was quashed.
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