Double Jeopardy-The Retrial of the Guildford Four

Double Jeopardy-The Retrial of the Guildford Four

The release of the Guildford four in October 1989, after fifteen years in Jail, was an admission of enormous failure on the part of the British judicial system. With the Court of Appeal's momentous decision to overturn the original convictions it seemed the legal system would be forced to examine it's mistakes and confront its shortcomings. However, when three detectives were brought to trial-after an extroadinary delay of three years- they aquitted on charges of fabricating evicence with fabricating evidence. there were times during the trial when it appeared as if the Guildford Four were once again in the dock, and the case raised serious doubts about whether the legal system can face up to its own failings In this powerful long essay, originally published by the London Review of Books and now expanded, Irish novelist Ronan Bennett examines the trial in detail, combining reportage, memoir and an intimate Knowledge ofthe case to produce a passionately argued and damning analysis. publisher's text.

Bennett, Ronan

Penguin 1993, 70pp, Bibliography

SR M 244