The CCRC is set to re-examine evidence in a 2005 murder case after Newsquest discovered new details.
Newsquest found new info, so he seeks an appeal. The CCRC initially refused to reinvestigate or order tests. They are now doing both due to the new news.
Jason’s sister is happy about tests but also frustrated. She says they asked for the same tests before. It feels like a missed chance, similar to Andrew Malkinson’s situation.
Malkinson spent 17 years in prison wrongly. DNA later proved he was innocent of rape. A review showed the CCRC could have freed him sooner with DNA tests. They failed to order them.
Darby was stabbed outside a pub in 2005. Seven years later, a witness picked Jason from a photo lineup. The guy said Jason was the killer in 2012. That witness first rejected Jason in 2005.
He described the killer as shorter than Jason. Jason is tall with brown hair. The witness said it was a shaved head. Jason’s defense did not focus on the initial conflicting details. A jury found him guilty despite this.
Detectives later questioned the witness’s reliability. They wanted new DNA tests done in 2021. Witnesses saw the fighter wearing a blue jacket. CCTV showed Jason without it.
During the investigation, police seized a “blue sports top”. This happened at another suspect’s home soon after the stabbing. Investigators re-examined Jason’s case at no charge. They found the blue top’s samples were never tested for DNA. The CCRC refused tests in 2022.
The Malkinson case led to a review of missed DNA chances. Meanwhile, Newsquest interviewed the original eyewitness. He said he was drunk and unsure of his pick!
Darby’s own family now thinks Jason is innocent too! They want Jason released from prison. In 2023, Jason’s lawyers filed a new appeal. They said the CCRC is testing “the blue top”. The CCRC confirmed they will test the DNA sample.
The CCRC had misunderstood Jason’s case back in 2022. They wrongly claimed two people identified him. His sister is angry they waited so long to order testing. The CCRC doesn’t comment on ongoing cases like Jason’s. They did apologize for errors in Malkinson’s wrongful conviction.