Judge rules no case to answer in conspiracy to murder

Mathew Dance has been successful in conspiracy to murder proceedings where the Judge has directed an acquittal following a no case to answer submission.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to murder two individuals by twice discharging a shotgun at them. The shots were said to have missed their targets but to have struck the front door of a dwelling.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants were variously linked to the ‘drive by’ vehicle from which, they contended, the shots were fired.

Submissions were advanced at the close of the prosecution case that the evidence was deficient. The trial judge found that there was insufficient evidence to establish the defendants were inside the vehicle at the material time or that the remainder of the evidence could establish to the requisite standard that they were parties to the conspiracies particularised on the indictment.

It was held that there was no case to answer for any defendant, on any count.

The defendants were therefore acquitted of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Mathew Dance is instructed in highly complex and serious criminal cases and specialises in defending Murder, Manslaughter and Serious and Organised Crime. Read more: [Mathew Dance Profile ]

Mathew Dance was instructed by Natalie Darko of Edwards Duthie Shamash solicitors.