R.I.P

Tragedy is an over-used word, but one I immediately sprang to use when I heard about the death of Sally Clark. I won't jumpt to conclusions, but it isn't hard to see a broken woman in the images we have witnessed of Sally since her release.

I also won't focuss on the details of her case, because that has been covered so well elsewhere, except to say that a trial is a major barrier to accessing the kind of theraputic support which might be appropriate after the loss of 2 children.

When her first appeal failed, the tough prison officer in the dock with Sally called over the investigative journalist in the call to say that no-one in the prison thought that Sally had done it, including the governer. This law enforcer, who must hear so many protest their innocence, despatched the scribe to prove it using the tools of his trade. This was achieved when the statistical evidence used to convict, was found to be flawed, and the expert witness not the sure thing the jury held it to be.

It wasn't a victory party on Sally's release, you just have to look at the change in her appearance to see that, and sometimes pain just is too great to live with. May she now rest peacefully and may that be a comfort to those who are close to her. Even me, whilst not being of any kind of litigious nature, would now want to sue someone for the damage they have wreeked on this woman's life, and that of her family.

Sally Clark - victim of a miscarriage of justice "It is with the very greatest sadness that Sally Clark's family announces that Sally was found dead at her home this morning, having passed away during the night. The matter is in the hands of the coroner and it is too early to provide any further information. Sally's family very much hopes that the media will refrain from making any enquiries or attempts to contact them at this painful time. Sally, aged 42, was released in 2003 having been wrongfully imprisoned for more than 3 years, falsely accused of the murder of her two sons. Sadly, she never fully recovered from the effects of this appalling miscarriage of justice. Sally, a qualified solicitor, was a loving and talented wife, mother, daughter and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her."