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Murderer fails to clear his name Murderer fails to clear his name
(31 minutes later)
A man who was jailed for life for murder more than 35 years ago has failed in his latest attempt to clear his name.A man who was jailed for life for murder more than 35 years ago has failed in his latest attempt to clear his name.
George Beattie was 19 when he was jailed for stabbing 23-year-old typist Margaret McLaughlin in woods near Carluke, North Lanarkshire, in 1973.George Beattie was 19 when he was jailed for stabbing 23-year-old typist Margaret McLaughlin in woods near Carluke, North Lanarkshire, in 1973.
Beattie, whose case was taken up by the BBC's Rough Justice programme, served 15 years before being freed on licence.Beattie, whose case was taken up by the BBC's Rough Justice programme, served 15 years before being freed on licence.
Appeal judges rejected claims he had been "bullied" into making statements.Appeal judges rejected claims he had been "bullied" into making statements.
He lost a previous appeal in 1994. This latest attempt was referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.He lost a previous appeal in 1994. This latest attempt was referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.
In a written ruling, Scotland's top judge, Lord Hamilton, said he was satisfied that information Beattie gave police was "volunteered" and not fed to him by officers.In a written ruling, Scotland's top judge, Lord Hamilton, said he was satisfied that information Beattie gave police was "volunteered" and not fed to him by officers.
The appeal judges also rejected claims that the trial judge in 1973 had misdirected the jury and that there was not enough evidence for a reasonable jury to find Beattie guilty.The appeal judges also rejected claims that the trial judge in 1973 had misdirected the jury and that there was not enough evidence for a reasonable jury to find Beattie guilty.
Bullying claims This really comes as no surprise to George because of the system of justice in Scotland Peter Hill Rough Justice producer The jury at Beattie's original trial took 35 minutes to find him guilty of the frenzied knife attack on Miss McLaughlin.
The jury at Beattie's original trial took 35 minutes to find him guilty of the frenzied knife attack on Miss McLaughlin.
The court heard he had claimed Ms McLaughlin was killed by men wearing top hats decorated with mirrors while he was forced to watch.The court heard he had claimed Ms McLaughlin was killed by men wearing top hats decorated with mirrors while he was forced to watch.
The story was supposed to explain why he apparently knew so much about the scene of the crime.The story was supposed to explain why he apparently knew so much about the scene of the crime.
The appeal court heard from psychology expert Professor Gisli Gudjonsson.The appeal court heard from psychology expert Professor Gisli Gudjonsson.
The 60-year-old professor from the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College, London, has made a study of the way vulnerable suspects can be led into agreeing to false stories. The 60-year-old professor from the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College, London, has made a studied the way vulnerable suspects can be led into agreeing to false stories.
Beattie now claims that the jury at his trial should never have heard statements he is alleged to have made to murder hunt detectives, insisting that he was subjected to bullying and pressure. Beattie, now 55, claims that the jury at his trial should never have heard statements he is alleged to have made to murder hunt detectives, insisting that he was subjected to bullying and pressure.
Frenzied attackFrenzied attack
Although he never confessed to the murder, the Crown case depended heavily on Beattie's supposed "special knowledge" which could only be known to Miss McLaughlin's killer or a witness to the murder.Although he never confessed to the murder, the Crown case depended heavily on Beattie's supposed "special knowledge" which could only be known to Miss McLaughlin's killer or a witness to the murder.
Miss McLaughlin was walking to the railway station to catch a train to Glasgow when she was murdered in July 1973.Miss McLaughlin was walking to the railway station to catch a train to Glasgow when she was murdered in July 1973.
Her route took her along a woodland path through an area known as Colonel's Glen, where her body was found. She had been stabbed 19 times and her ring had been stolen.Her route took her along a woodland path through an area known as Colonel's Glen, where her body was found. She had been stabbed 19 times and her ring had been stolen.
Beattie, who worked in a steel mill and was considered by some as a local misfit, became a suspect after telling police who were conducting door-to-door inquiries that he had been in the woods that night.Beattie, who worked in a steel mill and was considered by some as a local misfit, became a suspect after telling police who were conducting door-to-door inquiries that he had been in the woods that night.
A tissue found in his pocket was stained with blood which did not match his own and could have come from Miss McLaughlin.A tissue found in his pocket was stained with blood which did not match his own and could have come from Miss McLaughlin.
Beattie has been supported through the appeal process by TV producer Peter Hill, who made the Rough Justice programmes.
Speaking after the latest ruling, Mr Hill said: "This really comes as no surprise to George because of the system of justice in Scotland and the hidden rules of the Court of Appeal, the main rule being you must not mention wrong-doing by the police."