Killer found guilty of same murder, twice.
A north London criminal has become the first to be found guilty of the same murder, for a second time, after a DNA result led to his earlier quashed conviction being bought back before the Old Bailey.
Mr Michael Weir, aged 52, beat Leonard Harris (78) and Rose Seferian (83) to death during two burglaries in 1998. At the time the Police failed to make a connection between the deaths as police failed to match Weir's palm print to one recovered from the Harris home in 1998.
Weir was subsequently convicted of the murder of Mr Harris in his north London home in 1999, but the case hinged on DNA erroneously kept on the police database. As such the Court of Appeal overturned the judge's decision and quashed his conviction in 2000.
In 2018, fresh forensic evidence was found which was tested in a way that was not possible in 1998. As such prosecutors were therefore able to charge Weir under the so-called double jeopardy law with the same murder.
During the second trial Weir was also accused of the murder of Ms Seferian after he burgled her west London home. At the conclusion of the case Mrs Justice McGowan told jurors they had made legal history.
If you require legal advice please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Johnson Partnership
Derby Crime Solicitors
01332 370 473
Get in touch
with your query or requirements
Derby Crime Solicitors
You may have been charged with a criminal offence. We can and will help.
From misdemeanors to more serious matters you'll find a voice at the end of the phone (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) who can provide the in depth knowledge you'll need.
Covering Chesterfield, Derby and Derbyshire.
Contact
Suite 1,
42 Friar Gate,
Derby,
DE1 1DA
01332 370473
42 Friar Gate,
Derby,
DE1 1DA
01332 370473
3 Burlington House,
19 Burlington St,
Chesterfield,
Derbyshire,
S40 1RX
01246 520930
19 Burlington St,
Chesterfield,
Derbyshire,
S40 1RX
01246 520930