sally challen
The Case of Sally Challen, a new BBC documentary, reveals the inside story of the lengthy but successful legal battle to overturn mother's conviction.
There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls in our country and the options for victims are decreasing. The impact of Sally's case on women’s safety, freedom and mental and physical health is enormous.
In 2011 Sally Challen, 65, was jailed for the murder of her husband Richard, 61. Her sons, James and David, believe Sally was the victim of long-term psychological abuse, something they suggest was ignored during her initial trial. Her murder conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in February 2019. Prosecutors at the Old Bailey accepted a lesser manslaughter plea on the grounds of diminished responsibility. On 7 June 2019 it was announced that she will not face a retrial for Richard's murder.
She will be released on Saturday.
She wept as the decision was announced.
In 2011 Sally Challen, 64, was jailed for the murder of her husband Richard, 61. Her sons, James and David, have stood by their mother throughout. They believe Sally was the victim of long-term psychological abuse, something they suggest was ignored during her trial. Now, eight years into an 18 year sentence, Sally’s solicitors hope a new law recognising psychological manipulation as a form of domestic abuse could provide a defence in a new appeal hearing.