The Literature Network - How anonymous witnesses saw justice done

How anonymous witnesses saw justice done

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From: The Independent - London
Date: 20080625
Author:Nigel Morris

Anonymous witnesses are now called by the prosecution in more than half of all murder trials. The practice has allowed police to secure convictions after encountering a wall of silence from people too frightened to appear in court. Many, particularly those involved in gang-related violence, have only been prepared to speak out on the condition of anonymity. The real identity of a crucial witness to the new year murders of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis, the Birmingham teenagers caught in gang crossfire, was only known to the prosecution and judge.

The man, a criminal who was given the ...

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