The Lee Clegg murder appeal looks set to last another week following a ruling in the High Court in Belfast yesterday. The three appeal judges decided to allow the Crown to present fresh evidence in an attempt to rebut the testimony of experts called by Private Clegg's lawyers.
The judges overruled an objection by Mr Anthony Scrivener QC, for Private Clegg, who said: "It cannot be right to allow the prosecution to advance a new case at this stage." Lord Justice MacDermott said: "We need light from every possible quarter."
Private Clegg (30) from Yorkshire has already lost two appeals against conviction for murdering Ms Karen Reilly (18) when soldiers fired 19 shots into a stolen car in 1990. The new hearing followed a reference by former Northern Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew after he was presented with a dossier of forensic evidence. Private Clegg was released on licence in July, 1995, after serving just over two years and is back with his regiment.