Two men serving life sentences for murdering an RUC constable who was kicked to death by loyalists should have been convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter, the Court of Appeal in Belfast heard yesterday.
Leslie Henry and Alistair Stevenson, both 32, appealed convictions for their part in the killing of Constable Gregory Taylor (41), who died after being attacked outside a pub in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, in June 1997.
They were convicted by the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell, who held that although neither man had intended to kill the RUC man he had convicted them of murder on the basis they intended to inflict grievous bodily harm.
Mr Arthur Harvey QC told the three appeal judges yesterday the roles played by the two Ballymoney men did not amount to murder.
The appeal continues today.