Outrage Over Jason Moore’s Murder Conviction Sparks Call for Urgent Justice Reform
A senior bishop has blasted the UK’s criminal appeals system following the deeply troubling case of Jason Moore, a Canary Wharf man locked up for life over a murder he insists he did not commit.
The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, slammed Moore’s conviction as “extremely distressing and perturbing.” She publicly demanded urgent scrutiny of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), questioning if the government plans to overhaul the body amid rising fears over wrongful convictions.
A Shaky Conviction from Over a Decade Ago
- Jason Moore was convicted in 2013 for the 2005 stabbing of Robert Darby in Gants Hill.
- Crucially, there was no forensic evidence linking him to the crime.
- Witness descriptions didn’t match Moore.
- The only eyewitness ID came seven years later—and now admits he was drunk and unsure at the time.
- Robert Darby’s own family, including his brother Tim, believe Moore is innocent and demand justice.
Bishops and Justice Warriors Demand CCRC Overhaul
Bishop of Stepney, Joanne Grenfell, backs the joint campaign by the Moore and Darby families pushing to reopen the case.
After digging into the case, Bishop Rachel questioned if the CCRC is “fit for purpose,” noting the commission:
- Refused to reinvestigate Moore’s claim.
- Declined to reinterview the key eyewitness.
- Misstated basic facts while justifying its decisions.
“It seems clear that reform is needed,” Bishop Treweek told Newsquest. “My hope and prayer is that under new leadership, there might be a renewed vigour for justice, for victims and those believed to be falsely imprisoned.”
CCRC in Crisis Amid Growing Scandal
The CCRC is already under fire after bungling other wrongful conviction cases:
- Andrew Malkinson served 17 years for rape before DNA evidence, ignored for a decade, proved his innocence.
- Peter Sullivan spent nearly 40 years behind bars; fresh DNA evidence suggests he may be innocent, but the CCRC failed to retest it nearly 20 years ago.
Last month, CCRC chairwoman Helen Pitcher quit following an independent review that exposed serious case handling failures.
Government Stalls but Review Looms
In response to Bishop Treweek’s concerns, Lord Ponsonby, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Justice, said the government is waiting on the findings of another independent CCRC review.
The CCRC refused to comment on Moore’s case due to a live application triggered by new evidence uncovered by Newsquest. However, they admitted to “letting down” Andrew Malkinson and apologised. Regarding Sullivan’s case, they claimed forensic experts had deemed DNA retesting “unlikely” to succeed back in 2008.
Will Jason Moore Finally Get a Fair Deal?
As calls mount for a sweeping reform of the CCRC, campaigners hope Jason Moore’s conviction will finally be revisited. The Moore and Darby families continue their fierce fight, insisting an innocent man remains behind bars—and demanding justice now.
