09/11/07 - New clues in gangland murder case
Evening Star

MORE new evidence that could support the appeal attempts of two men convicted of a gangland shooting has come to light, an Ipswich-based solicitor today claimed.

Last week Christopher Bowen travelled to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in Birmingham to present representations he believes will show the three murders were carried out later than alleged at his client Michael Steele's trial.

Today, Mr Bowen said that since the national publicity surrounding his submissions, fresh evidence has come to light to support his belief that his clients' imprisonment is a miscarriage of justice.

He said: “This information provides support to Mr Steele's CCRC application and undoubtedly will, in my view, enhance that application in a substantial way. “I believe that the timetable to the successful conclusion of this case becomes shorter with each piece of information. “I should like to take this opportunity of thanking those people who have had the courage to come forward for having done so.”

Michael Steele, 64, of Great Bentley, and Jack Whomes, 46, of Brockford, were given life sentences for killing Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe back in 1995 in what has become known as the Essex Boys murders.

The dead trio were found in a Range Rover on an isolated farm track in Rettendon near Chelmsford. Steele and Whomes have always proclaimed their innocence. The CCRC is currently re-examining their convictions, which could lead to a second hearing at the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal rejected a previous appeal by the pair in February 2006.