Article: Girl killers in freedom hope ; CRIME: Fear Law Lords ruling could overturn life sentences

FOUR men jailed for the murder of two Birmingham teenagers at a New Year party could be freed because of a landmark ruling by the Law Lords.

Students Charlene Ellis, aged 18, and Letisha Shakespeare, aged 17, were shot dead in Aston on January 2, 2003.

Marcus Ellis, 26, of Devonshire Avenue, Winson Green; Michael Gregory, 25, of Ryland Street, Ladywood; Nathan Martin, 28, of South Road, Smethwick; and Rodrigo Simms, 22, of Whitehouse Drive, Smethwick, were each given life sentences for the murders.

However, their convictions relied on witnesses giving evidence anonymously, and Law Lords yesterday decided such evidence was unfair.

In their ruling, the Law Lords argued it was a fundamental ...

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