Who? Darrell Ennis-Gayle, a partner in the criminal defence team at Hodge Jones & Allen.
Why is he in the news? Represents Durrell Goodall and Reano Walters, whose joint enterprise murder convictions have been referred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to the Court of Appeal. The CCRC is still considering third client Nathanial Williams’ application.
Thoughts on the case: ‘Our clients are three of 11 defendants who were convicted of murder (and manslaughter) in 2016. The perpetrator of that awful crime has long been brought to justice. We have argued for five years that our clients were convicted because of the colour of their skin and where they lived. The CCRC application is based on the firm belief that the convictions under the doctrine of joint enterprise are unsafe and a gross miscarriage of justice. The grounds of appeal and fresh evidence argue that the gang narrative deployed by the prosecution at our clients’ trials was false and based on racist stereotypes of black and brown boys and young men.
‘The CCRC agreed there is a real possibility the Court of Appeal will find that our arguments and evidence materially undermine the prosecution’s case against our clients. Statistics have shown that black and brown boys and young men are disproportionately portrayed as being in gangs and are subjected to joint enterprise prosecutions.’
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: ‘We note the CCRC referral and will carefully consider our next steps.’
Dealing with the media: ‘This case gathered significant media coverage before we were instructed to take on the application. A major newspaper took an interest, and we had the benefit of being able to liaise with the journalist who then published further articles at significant stages of the process.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘I am of mixed Black Caribbean and Irish heritage and grew up in inner city London. My first encounter with the criminal justice system was a very negative one, which resulted in dire consequences for me and my family. That experience set me on the path to becoming a criminal lawyer.’
Career high: ‘One of my cases was made into an award-winning television drama – Landscapes – starring Olivia Colman, who played my client. I was consulted during the writing of the script and completely star-struck when I got to attend the BAFTAs alongside the cast!’
Career low: ‘A client was imprisoned following the riots that took place in London in 2011. She was 15 and had never been in trouble before. She was sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence. Heartbreaking.’
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