London - Three weeks after the conviction of Derek Bentley was quashed at the Court of Appeal, another case involving an executed man is being considered for appeal. The Criminal Cases Review Commission is now deciding whether to refer back the case of James Hanratty, who was hanged for murder in 1962.
Yesterday, Mr Hanratty's brother said he was optimistic the case would be referred back. James Hanratty was convicted in February 1962 of the murder of Mr Michael Gregsten in the so-called A6 Murder Case and was hanged shortly afterwards. Since then there has been a long campaign, including books and television documentaries, to clear his name.