Appeal Goes On After Death

Big Wullie · Appeal Goes On After Death

Conclusive proof an appeal can continue after the death of Appellant.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/s.../homepage/news/article2451925.ece

By DAVE FINLAY

Published: 28 May 2009
THE sister of a killer who died protesting his innocence got the go-ahead yesterday to take over his battle to clear his name.
Judges ruled that Mary Mullen can continue Richard Coubrough’s appeal against his murder conviction for strangling Dorothea Meechan, 37, in 1971.

Died awaiting appeal ... Richard Coubrough
Coubrough, once Scotland’s longest serving con, was freed on bail in 2005 pending the outcome of his case — but he died last year aged 74 before the hearing was complete.

He repeatedly petitioned the Scottish Secretary and wrote to the Queen and Parliament during his time behind bars to have his conviction reviewed.

His lawyer Chris Shead told the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh that Legal Aid granted to Coubrough would “revive” if judges accepted Ms Mullen’s plea to carry on her brother’s fight.

Lord Osborne, sitting with Lord Reed and Lord Mackay, gave Ms Mullen, of Paignton, Devon, authority to carry on the appeal. No date was fixed for the hearing.

Coubrough, dubbed The Snake, was found guilty by majority verdict after he denied killing Mrs Meechan at the High Court in Glasgow.

Her naked body was found partially buried near a footbridge in Renfrew.

Former slaughterman Coubrough, who had previous convictions for attacking women, was living with a relative in the town at the time of Mrs Meechan’s death.

He denied using the bridge the night she disappeared and claimed judge Lord Migdale misdirected the jury.

scotkaz

This is what should happen also if Megrahi dies. And I hope it does.

There needs to be "closure" in this case at sometime for everyone.