Ex-Church Warden Benjamin Field's Murder Conviction Quashed by Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has quashed the murder conviction of Benjamin Field, a former church warden previously jailed for at least 36 years for killing 69-year-old Peter Farquhar in 2015. Originally convicted in 2019, Field was accused of manipulating Farquhar into believing he was losing his mind to inherit his assets, allegedly spiking his whisky with tranquilizers. However, three senior judges ruled that the original jury directions were defective, specifically regarding whether Farquhar’s decision to drink was voluntary. The judges noted there was no evidence Field physically administered the alcohol. Consequently, a retrial has been ordered. The Crown Prosecution Service may appeal this decision to the Supreme Court before proceedings continue. Field remains in prison pending any further appeals. The case, which also involved fraud against neighbor Ann Moore-Martin, inspired the BBC drama The Sixth Commandment. Field had previously admitted to burglary and fraud charges related to his manipulative relationships with both victims.
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Ex-Church Warden Benjamin Field's Murder Conviction Quashed by Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has quashed the murder conviction of Benjamin Field, a former church warden previously jailed for at least 36 years for killing 69-year-old Peter Farquhar in 2015. Originally convicted in 2019, Field was accused of manipulating Farquhar into believing he was losing his mind to inherit his assets, allegedly spiking his whisky with tranquilizers. However, three senior judges ruled that the original jury directions were defective, specifically regarding whether Farquhar’s decision to drink was voluntary. The judges noted there was no evidence Field physically administered the alcohol. Consequently, a retrial has been ordered. The Crown Prosecution Service may appeal this decision to the Supreme Court before proceedings continue. Field remains in prison pending any further appeals. The case, which also involved fraud against neighbor Ann Moore-Martin, inspired the BBC drama The Sixth Commandment. Field had previously admitted to burglary and fraud charges related to his manipulative relationships with both victims.
The Standard