Marcus Daniel v The State
- News
- 27 May 2014
Marcus Daniel’s conviction for murder has been quashed by the Trinidad Court of Appeal and a verdict of manslaughter substituted. This means that he will no longer be subject to a sentence of death, but a total sentence of 25 years imprisonment, which, under remission rules, makes him eligible for release in 9 years time.
Dr Tim Green and Professor Nigel Eastman, instructed pro bono by The Death Penalty Project, provided evidence to the Court of Appeal that Mr Daniel suffered from a severe personality disorder, together with alcohol and substance dependence, which would have substantially reduced his responsibility for his actions at the time of the incident.
The Death Penalty Project had previously assisted Mr Daniel in his proceedings before the Privy Council, which remitted his case to the Trinidad Court of Appeal to consider the safety of the murder conviction in light of the fresh medical evidence. (See details)
Mr Daniel is to be detained in psychiatric hospital in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, where he is to receive treatment for his conditions.
Julian Knowles QC and Michelle Butler of Matrix Chambers assisted pro bono local counsel in this matter.
