University News Last updated 14 January 2013
After spending almost 40 years in jail for a crime he didn't commit, 77-year-old US inmate Bill Macumber was recently released after a team of lawyers uncovered substantial evidence which questioned the original verdict.
Sarah Cooper, Senior Lecturer in Law at Birmingham City University played a key role as a fellow of the Arizona Justice Project, an organisation of lawyers and law students working with prisoners they believe could be innocent. Sarah helped review details of the case alongside other academics and assisted the lawyers throughout.
In 1975 Bill was sentenced to life for the murders of Joyce Sterrenberg and Tim McKillop but long maintained his ex-wife had framed him.
Sarah said: "This is a time for Bill and his family to be joyful, and it means a lot for us to see that. It is a result of one mighty team effort which I have been fortunate to contribute to."