Chair of miscarriage of justice body quits

The top of the physique accountable for investigating potential miscarriage of justices in England, Wales and Northern Eire has resigned following months of criticism. Karen Kneller stood down as chief government of the embattled Felony Instances Assessment Fee (CCRC) after 12 years within the function.There had been requires her to resign when the CCRC admitted “failing” Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in jail for a criminal offense he didn’t commit regardless of severe issues the proof in opposition to him was flawed.In Might, the justice choose committee mentioned the organisation had proven an “incapability to study from its personal errors” on Ms Kneller’s watch.She has not commented since her departure was confirmed.Dame Vera Baird, who was appointed chair of the CCRC final month and tasked with main a evaluation of it, mentioned: “The CCRC has an important function to play within the prison justice system, however confidence within the organisation has been badly broken. Confidence in our work have to be restored.”Ms Kneller’s resignation is the second high-profile departure on the evaluation physique this yr.In January, Helen Pitcher give up as CCRC chair after an impartial panel discovered it had let Mr Malkinson down.The 59-year-old was accused of raping a lady in Larger Manchester in 2003, and later jailed for all times regardless of no DNA linking him to the crime. He was launched in December 2020.Whereas Mr Malkinson was in jail, the CCRC twice rejected his submissions that he was harmless – the second of which was after Mrs Pitcher turned chair.His case was not referred to the Courtroom of Enchantment till January 2023, a full 20 years since being wrongly accused. He was totally exonerated within the July of that yr.Matt Foot of authorized charity Enchantment, which represented Mr Malkinson when he efficiently challenged his conviction within the courts, mentioned Ms Kneller’s resignation was “lengthy overdue”. He continued: “In the end, a very recent senior management group – with a monitor file of difficult injustice – is required for the CCRC to develop into efficient.”Amanda Pearce, casework operations director on the CCRC, has been appointed interim chief government.