2024-07-04
Relatives of man stamped to death in 'brutal' attack applaud as killer's appeal fails
Stage: Appeal
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Garrett Smith (35) had argued before the three-judge court that the sentence was too harsh, despite having been told by his trial judge that the jury had been "charitable and merciful" in finding Smith guilty of manslaughter instead of murder. Mr Justice Edwards noted that the trial judge had set a headline sentence of 16 years and reduced that to 14.5 years with the final 12 months suspended. "While the sentencing judge might have had some scope to be more generous, we do not believe that he operated outside his margin of appreciation." When Mr Justice Edwards dismissed the appeal, family and friends of the deceased gave a brief applause before prison officers took Smith back to the cell area.