In a famous case involving the rape and murder of two girls, DNA collected at the scene proved that the initial suspect Buckland could not have been the perpetrator despite him confessing to one murder. The real killer, Colin Pitchfork, was eventually identified through DNA screening.

Absolutely but DNA is usually very reliable and any strong DNA evidence should ensure a conviction.

Used routinely in rape and sexual assault cases and as much as 95% of all murders.

Why would it depend on the charge?
51% expectation of a conviction is the lowest score the CPS would use to support taking a case to trial. It’s usually higher, which again, begs the question of why is the acquittal rate seemingly so high?

Of course not. However, given the police have conducted extensive investigation, often supported by DNA evidence and the CPS are more than 51% confident of a conviction, (usually much higher) one might reasonably expect a much lower percentage.

Juries don’t cause the delays. The system does but Currently there are 78,000 cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court and that number grows daily. 44% will end in acquittal. A jury system is woefully inefficient and ripe for reform and the outcomes are no fairer than trial by bench.

The CPS only approves a case to proceed to court if they are confident they can get a conviction. Currently, the acquittal rate is 44%. A large part of that is due to victim/witness attrition. Cases now taking 4-5 yrs to be heard and witnesses often withdraw and the case collapses, hence acquittal.

I often find it’s essential to be aware of and understand the facts before making a judgement. Not seeing something and forming an opinion is half of what’s wrong with the jury system. Pre conceived ideas, prejudices and a stubborn refusal to change ones mind when the facts change are some others.

I’m thinking you might have had quite strong opinions during your three cases. Did you ever have cause to change it?

Studies consistently show that the final verdict is overwhelmingly determined by the jury's initial pre-deliberation preference. If 10 out of 12 jurors initially lean "Guilty," the final verdict is almost always "Guilty."
You just need a couple of “strong” personalities to determine a verdict.

And that’s just tax. Put the loss of trade etc into his bread making machine and it rises to a wholesome £231 billion lost to our economy every year. That’s a lot of dough!!

Oh, look at all those flags

Did you watch it?

That must rank as one of the most ridiculous and inane responses to a serious problem i’ve ever read. One for Idiot’s Corner that one.👍

Tice could in any of his three other houses, to be fair.