Letter: Retrial concerns

While the scrapping of the 800-year-old double jeopardy rule (your report, 16 August) is to be welcomed, the retrial of an individual should be only under certain strict conditions.

The concern is that it is the media that would potentially fuel the Crown Office into action. This is no bad thing, you might say, but the test must at the very least be the same as seeking to appeal a conviction — new evidence that could not have reasonably be laid before the previous court.

It cannot be allowed that a previous Crown decision on evidence, ruling that it was inadmissible, is after acquittal then looked at and another go had with another judge.

There has to be some finality to cases, and while the ending of the double jeopardy rule is to be applauded, it should only be under the strictest criteria.

ALEX ORR

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh