Judgement reserved on Martin appeal

17 October 2001



Judgement reserved on Martin appeal

By FWi staff

TONY Martin must wait to learn his fate after the Court of Appeal reserved judgement on the Norfolk farmers appeal against his murder conviction.

Lord Chief Justice Woolf, sitting with Mr Justice Wright and Mr Justice Grigson, said a decision would be given as soon as possible.

The court heard that Mr Martins attitude towards burglars had mellowed as he has mixed with so many of them during 547 days in jail.

“There is some softening of his strong views about burglars,” said psychiatrist Philip Joseph after interviewing Mr Martin in his cell.

“He understands they are people and not a demonised force ranged against him,” he told the court on Wednesday (17 October).

Mr Martin was jailed for life last year for murdering teenage burglar Fred Barras during a bungled break-in at his farmhouse in August 1999.

The farmer was also given a 10-year sentence for wounding Mr Barrass accomplice, Brendon Fearon, now 30, by shooting him in the leg.

Mr Martin, 56, has always insisted that he acted in self-defence.

His convictions could be quash entirely if he is successful. But the appeal could equally be dismissed if the court finds against him.

Lord Justice Woolf could also order a re-trial or reduce the conviction to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

• Martin appeal enters third day, FWi, 17 October, 2001
• Tony Martin was denied fair trial, FWi, 16 October, 2001
• Martin murder appeal starts, FWi, 15 October, 2001

• Tony Martin wins right to appeal, FWi, 28 July, 2000

• Farmer jailed for murder will appeal, FWi, 20 April 2000

• Norfolk farmer gets life for murder, FWi, 19 April 2000