Leicester family fighting to clear man serving two life sentences for murders
Campaigners will tomorrow step up their efforts to clear the name of a man who is serving two life sentences for a notorious double murder.
Warren Slaney, now 43, was jailed for life for shooting hot dog stall entrepreneur Gary Thompson and his business associate, John Weston, on August 28, 1990.
Slaney's family and friends say he was at a party at the time of the murders at Mr Thompson's home in Glen Road, in Oadby, and could not have been involved.
He was given two life sentences for the crime following a trial at Leicester Crown Court in February 1992.
Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the then 24-year-old's first appearance before magistrates when he first faced the two murder charges.
Family and friends will stage a protest at Leicester's Clock Tower between 12pm and 1pm tomorrow to highlight what they believe is a miscarriage of justice.
They are pinning their hopes on a fresh investigation into the conviction by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, (CCRC).
The family's legal team has recently passed a bundle of documents and witness statements to the commission.
If the commission's legal experts decide the conviction is unsafe, they can refer the case to the Court of Appeal, which could quash the conviction.
The prisoner's mother, Mavis Slaney, of Newfoundpool, in Leicester, said: "My son is innocent and I want people in Leicester to know that. That's why we are going to be at the Clock Tower on Friday.
"We also want people to help our campaign by writing to their MPs.
"Our solicitors have submitted all the paperwork and we're just waiting now for a decision from the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
"Warren has maintained his innocence from day one. If he had signed a confession I'm sure he would have been released from prison now.
"That shows the strength of his character. He is determined to prove he is an innocent man."
The CCRC agreed to examine the case again in 2005 after new witnesses came forward to back up the claim that Slaney was at a family party at the time of the murders.
No decision has yet been reached and the case is still being examined, a CCRC spokeswoman confirmed.
15 Comments
View all
by Matt, Leicester
Sunday, March 20 2011, 11:24AM
“Does anybody know if Terry Burke ever implicated Slaney? What happened to Burke- is he out now? Did he confess or was he put away on evidence only?
No axe to grind- just curious.”
by Maralyn, Stoke on Trent
Saturday, December 11 2010, 3:25AM
“Mr A Leics you are so right and Mrs Leicester stop kidding yourself, Slaney is guilty and may he rot in goal”
by liz, enderby
Thursday, November 18 2010, 10:59AM
“i so feel for the victims familys i to have been threatened by the big boys after only spending 2 days on the merridian business park outside toyota im a mum to 8 children and at 46 years of age i dont need this bullying ive been visited at home also and warned not to set up anywhere within blaby or enderby its disgusting why are the councils letting these bullies get away with threatening innocent honest workers these bullies dont own the roads although they told me they did ! its time all us innocent mobile catereers got together and did something i had my baby asleep in my car when i was paid a visit and was told i had 10 minutes in which to pack up or i would be recieving a visit i dont need to explain what this visit meant do they get a kick outa trying to frighten women ?”
by jb, leicester
Saturday, October 16 2010, 3:09PM
“its ok saying that the slaneys have been in pain for 20 years what about the victims family? the kids that was left without a father Gary Thompson and friend was murdered for what reason who knows money i guess. does anyone ever think of them when the slaneys are protesting that he is innocent but in fact is guilty of the crime or why else after 20 years would he still be inside prison the law must of had the full facts and evidence to put this man away i would love to say alot more but cant”
by MrsLeicester, leicester
Friday, October 15 2010, 8:39PM
“@Me - Here you are again 'adding your two pennies worth', your comments give away your close association with the CID- a brain of feathers and a heart of lead.”
by me, leicester
Friday, October 15 2010, 4:47PM
“thank you martin his family was not at the trial to face the truth all i know 2 people died that day and he has left a lot of hearthech i think the cid did a great job and got it spot on he did it and that is that”
by j, leic
Thursday, October 14 2010, 9:48PM
“Private Eye have been covering this case for years now. Some of the practices and techniques used in this case would make your hair curl.........”
by ian, Leicester
Thursday, October 14 2010, 6:55PM
“It is very hard to comment on this case as I have no facts given to me on which to make a decision. But, generally speaking, far too many injustices occur in the legal system. And that works both ways of course. Sad but true. The convictions get overturned, but the non-convictions never get put right?
Hot dog land seems full of 'do(d)gy types'. Sorry about that one!”
by MrsLeicester, Leicester
Thursday, October 14 2010, 5:33PM
“Just a slight insight, often in cases all items aren't disclosed e.g. witness statements, documents etc.
AND THE JURY DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE FULL FACTS.
Wake up! Police believe they are the LAW - INVINCIBLE.”
by MrsLeicester, Leicester
Thursday, October 14 2010, 3:37PM
“Wow, what a bloodthirsty bunch we have here.
20 years of pain for this family, STILL fighting to clear his name and compensation is all you can think?
Did it not occur to you that it must be IMPOSSIBLE for him and his family to move on every single day knowing he's imprisoned for something he didn't do?
He may have had a lighter sentence if he had accepted guilt, but sometimes TRUTH is worth the sacrifice.
Such blind faith in the JUSTICE system.
@MrA, your attempt at humour is pitiful.”