Peter Sullivan, who has spent 38 years in jail for murder, has conviction quashed
Guardian2 days
UK: DNA Evidence Frees Man After 38 Years in Prison for Murder
Above: Kim Smith, sister of Peter Sullivan, speaking to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice, central London, on May 13, 2025. Image copyright: Ben Whitley/Contributor/PA Images via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The criminal justice system failed catastrophically by relying on flawed evidence, including questionable confessions from a vulnerable suspect who was denied proper legal representation during police interviews. This case exemplifies how outdated forensic techniques and inadequate safeguards for vulnerable defendants can lead to devastating miscarriages of justice.
Narrative B
The prosecution's case was built on the best available evidence at the time, including circumstantial evidence and witness testimony, with technological limitations preventing the DNA analysis that would later prove crucial. The system has now demonstrated its ability to correct errors when new scientific evidence becomes available.