The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry link to murder series
LAURAGH resident, Val Thatcher, whose late husband, George, spent 18 years behind bars for a crime he claimed not to have committed, is hoping that a new documentary will vindicate him.
Speaking to The Kerryman this week, Val said that she and her husband, George, had fought for many years to clear his name following what they have always said was a miscarriage of justice but, because of the lack of new evidence, this has not been possible.
George was found guilty in 1963 of murdering a man at the scene of an armed robbery, in a case labelled the Mitcham Co-op Murder.
At the time this crime was deemed ‘capital murder’ which results in the death sentence. The death penalty was subsequently abolished in the UK and George spent 17 years in jail but always maintained his innocence and even wrote a book on his ordeal. Val said it is similar in nature to the high-profile cases of the Birmingham Six and the Guilford Four.
“It was horrendous what went on, they (the police) were corrupt,” claims Val.
Val and George Thatcher, have been living in Lauragh, just outside Kenmare, since 1994.
Following George’s death, Val moved to Kenmare and she has shared their story with the BBC for documentary ‘Murder, Mystery and My Family’ in which legal experts examine the evidence of the decades-old case and a judge gives his view.
Though it has no legal standing, Val hopes it will help prove their story. “I want people to watch it and make up their minds. I am nervous about it but I hope it will vindicate him.”
LAURAGH resident, Val Thatcher. whose late husband, George, spent 18 years behind bars for a crime he claims not to have committed, is hoping that a new documentary will vindicate him.
The only evidence against him at the time was statements from the police.
Val said it is similar in nature to the high-profile cases of the Birmingham six and the Guilford four.
“It was horrendous what went on, they (the police) were corrupt,” said Val.
Val and George Thatcher, who have been living in Lauragh, just outside Kenmare, since 1994. George was found guilty in 1963 of murdering a man at the scene of a armed robbery. At the time this crime was known as capital murder and he was given the death sentence. This was subsequently abolished and George spent 17 years in jail but has always maintained his innocence and even wrote a book on his ordeal.
Val met George when she began writing to him in prison and the couple married when he was released. They moved to Lauragh in 1994 where they lived until recently. Now Val lives in Kenmare and she has shared their story with the BBC for “Murder, Mystery and My Family” on which legal experts examine the evidence of the decades old case and a judge gives his view. Though it has no legal standing Val hopes it helps prove their story.
“I want people to watch it and make up their minds. People are entitled to their opinion but looks at the facts and they are overwhelming.”
“I am nervous about it but I hope it will vindicate him,” she added. The documentary will air on BBC one at 9.15am this Thursday, March 28.