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Royal Marine to appeal murder conviction (8 April 2014)

Date: 08/04/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Royal Marine to appeal murder conviction

A Royal Marine convicted of killing an injured Afghan insurgent is to appeal his conviction.

Sergeant Alexander Blackman 39, from Taunton in Devon is serving a minimum 10-year jail term in a civilian prison, after he shot and killed a Taliban prisoner while serving in Helmand Province.

Sgt Blackman was found guilty of the killing at a court martial in December – after which his identity as “Marine A” during the trial was revealed.

His appeal against the conviction will be heard on Thursday (10/04/14) before the court’s three most senior High Court judges, BBC News reports. Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas will preside over the hearing.

Sgt Blackman shot the Taliban prisoner at point-blank range using a 9mm pistol. A fellow Marine filmed the incident using a camera on his helmet. The incident followed an attack on the patrol’s base in Helmand.

Sgt Blackman is a member of Plymouth-based 42 Commando and is the first British soldier to be convicted of murder while serving overseas since WWII.

Sgt Blackman was told at his sentencing that he must serve at least 10 years before being eligible for parole.

However, if the appeal against his murder conviction is successful, he could be freed within days.

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