Kennedy, Robert

On 13 December 1991 at Plymouth Crown Court Robert Kennedy was convicted of the murder of Arthur James Eathorne. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The prosecution contended that the murder took place at Mr Eathorne’s flat between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning on 18-19 September 1990.

Mr Kennedy appealed against his conviction. In March 1995 the Full Court dismissed his appeal. Mr Kennedy applied to the CCRC in December 2000.

The CCRC’s review included a two-year section 19 inquiry by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, directed by the CCRC. The force’s final report was submitted to the CCRC in January 2006.

Having considered a range of issues, including new DNA profiles on two cigarette butts at the scene which were found not to match Mr Kennedy’s profile, new information about the probable time of Mr Eathorne’s death and issues of disclosure, the CCRC decided to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal.

The CCRC referred the conviction in February 2007.

The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in December 2007.