Courts / Kerry / Report
Body-in-bog murderers bring appeal against conviction
Summary
John-Paul Cawley and Wenio Rodriguez Da Silva have brought appeals against their murder convictions in the Court of Appeal. Both men, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bruno Lemes De Sousa at Shronowen Bog, Listowel, between February 16 and 17, 2012, were found guilty by a jury at a Kerry sitting of the Central Criminal Court. They received mandatory life sentences from Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on May 22, 2013. Cawley had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Counsel for Da Silva, John B Peart SC, argued the jury should have been discharged against his client, alleging that Cawley's barrister prejudiced Da Silva by jokingly referring to him as a "short plank" during trial discussions. Counsel for Cawley, Anthony Sammon SC, submitted that the trial judge improperly charged the jury regarding the onus of proof. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Seán Ryan with Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan and Mr Justice John Edwards, reserved judgment to a date as soon as possible. The matter was adjourned.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Body-in-bog murderers bring appeal against conviction. Charges or matters: the murder of Bruno Lemes De Sousa at Shronowen Bog, Listowel between February 16 and 17 2012; manslaughter. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 22, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of Bruno Lemes De Sousa at Shronowen Bog, Listowel between February 16 and 17 2012; manslaughter (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A jury at a Kerry sitting of the Central Criminal Court found both men guilty of murder and they were given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on May 22, 2013.
Appellant
Charges: the murder of Bruno Lemes De Sousa at Shronowen Bog, Listowel between February 16 and 17 2012; manslaughter (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A jury at a Kerry sitting of the Central Criminal Court found both men guilty of murder and they were given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on May 22, 2013.
Places mentioned
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