Ched Evans' bid to overturn rape conviction discussed by review body
Ched Evans’ latest attempt to have his rape conviction overturned is being discussed by the body that investigates alleged miscarriages of justice.
The former Sheffield United and Wales footballer applied for a review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) last year.
A case committee of three CCRC Commissioners is meeting to consider his case today, after an investigation phase lasting 10 months.
They can reach three possible conclusions: that more investigative work is needed before a decision is made, that Evans’s case should not be considered for appeal, or that it should be referred to the Court of Appeal.
Evans, 26, was released from prison last year after serving half of his five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel in Rhyl in April 2012.
The footballer has always maintained his innocence. An earlier appeal against his conviction was rejected by three judges at the Court of Appeal in 2012.
A statement from the CCRC said: “A case committee of three CCRC Commissioners is meeting today to consider the case of Ched Evans.
“Mr Evans was convicted of rape in April 2012. He lost his appeal against conviction in November 2012. He applied to the CCRC for a review of his case in July 2014.
“The Commission received further submissions from Mr Evans’ legal representatives in January and April 2015.”
Evans has made attempts to restart his career but potential moves to Oldham and his former club Sheffield United collapsed in the face of public outcry.
The three possible outcomes from the meeting are:
:: The committee may decide that further investigative work is required. If so, this will be carried out before another meeting at a later date.
:: The committee may decide that it is “not minded” to refer the case to the Court of Appeal if it believes that there are currently no grounds to do so. In this scenario, the applicant is given at least 28 days to respond, before a final decision is made.
:: The committee may decide to refer the case to the Court of Appeal if it considers that new evidence or legal argument identified in its review raises “a real possibility” that the conviction will be quashed.
If a provisional or final decision is made, it is typically several days or even weeks before the applicant and others are informed of the conclusion.
