Ched Evans: Rape Retrial Begins
The retrial of Ched Evans, the former Manchester City and Sheffield United striker who was convicted of rape in 2012, begins today (Tuesday 4th October 2016) at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge’s Warning to Jurors
According to reports, jurors hearing the retrial have been warned not to undertake their own private research on the case.
Mrs Justice Nicola Davies, told the panel ahead of the trial:
“This case has history.”
Adding that Evans and a second man had been previously been tried for rape at Caernarfon crown court in north Wales, and that the second man was acquitted and Evans successfully appealed against his conviction, the judge told jurors:
“You are to try the case on the evidence you will hear in this court during this trial, nothing else.”
Warning the six men and six women on the jury that they could potentially face jail themselves if they ignored her instructions to ‘not to research the case on the internet and to stay clear of anything on social media, including Twitter and Facebook, relating to it [the case]’.
Today in court, Simon Medland QC, prosecuting, said that the case related to an incident at a Premier Inn in north Wales in May 2011.
Reading a list of 40 names of people who may be called as witnesses or mentioned during the proceedings, Mr Medland asked the jurors to raise a hand if they had previously heard of any of them, to which no one did.
The retrial continues.
Recap: Conviction, Appeal & Retrial
In 2012 Evans was found guilty of raping a 19 year old woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales. The 27 year old was released from jail two and a half years later.
The ex-Welsh international admitted having sex with the woman, however he has always maintained his innocence, claiming the encounter was consensual.
Following a ten month investigation by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), responsible for investigating possible miscarriages of justice, it was revealed in October 2015 that new evidence had surfaced. Following the announcement of the new evidence, which the CCRC said ‘raises a real possibility the Court of Appeal may now quash the conviction’, Evans’ case was referred to the Court of Appeal.
Lady Justice Hallet later announced that Evans’ conviction had been quashed, but that a retrial would take place.
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Source: Guardian
