TWO people serving life sentences for murdering a woman in Lerwick have told appeal judges how the pair have fallen victim to miscarriages of justice. Lawyers for Ross MacDougall, 33, and Dawn Smith, 29, told judges Lady Dorrian, Lord Pentland and Lord Turnbull that the duo.
BBC News
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image captionRoss MacDougall and Dawn Smith were jailed for murder
Two people convicted of stabbing a woman to death in Shetland claim they have fallen victim to miscarriages of justice.
Ross MacDougall, 33, and Dawn Smith, 29, had denied murdering Tracy Walker, 40, in Lerwick in July 2019.
MacDougall was jailed for a minimum of 23 years and Smith was ordered to serve at least 20 years and two months.
Lawyers told the Court of Criminal Appeal the trial judge made mistakes when giving legal directions to jurors.
Lady Dorrian, Lord Pentland and Lord Turnbull were told that the duo should have their convictions quashed.
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A DATE has been set for judges to hear an appeal brought by islanders Ross MacDougall and Dawn Smith
who believe they were wrongfully convicted of murdering Tracy Walker in Lerwick almost two years ago.
Lawyers for the pair will address the Court of Criminal Appeal on 9 June.
Thirty two year old MacDougall and Smith, aged 29, were handed life sentences at the High Court in Edinburgh after a jury found them guilty of brutally killing 40 year old Tracy Walker in July 2019.
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Passing sentence in December last year Judge Lord Uist told MacDougall he would have to serve a minimum of 23 years before he could apply for parole.
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THE TWO islanders found guilty of murdering Lerwick woman Tracy Walker in July 2019 are appealing their life sentences.
Ross MacDougall, 32, and Dawn Smith, 29, have instructed lawyers to argue that they have fallen victims to miscarriages of justice.
A procedural hearing in the case will take place at Court of Criminal Appeal on 20 May, with a full hearing expected to take place in June.
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Lawyers are also appealing that the sentences imposed on the duo were also excessive.
MacDougall and Smith had always denied murdering 40-year-old Tracy Walker, but following a 15-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, the pair were found guilty by a jury.