Ryan Passey: Family of stabbing victim in new bid for justice
The criminal trial is supposed to be the end of the road. And if it results in a not guilty verdict then that, in the eyes of the criminal justice system, is that. The process has been followed, the case was not proven.
But the grief-stricken family of Ryan Passey have not been prepared to accept this. Their disbelief and anger at the jury’s verdict in the amateur footballer’s murder trial led them down the complicated path to civil proceedings.
The process is not easy – or cheap. But the family of the 24-year-old from Quarry Bank, who was stabbed to death at the Chicago’s nightclub in Stourbridge in 2017, has received phenomenal backing from supporters which has helped them pay costly legal bills.
Civil action has now formally been launched against Kobe Murray, who was cleared of murdering Mr Passey.
He admitted stabbing the victim but claimed it was an accident.
This is partly the reason the family were so aghast at the verdict which saw Mr Murray walk free from court. And of course, it should be reiterated he has been convicted of no crime.
The civil action, though, will give the family another chance. It can only result in financial punishment but Mr Passey’s loved ones hope any recognition in the civil courts could help towards achieving a fresh trial. A private investigator has been brought on board too.
They have also got the attention of politicians as they campaign for a change in the law to compel juries to explain their verdicts in some cases. MPs have highlighted the case in calling for tougher sentences for those carrying knives.
The not guilty verdict was a crushing blow for the Passey family, but only served to strengthen their resolve.
They have pledged not to give up and not to go away. And there is now fresh hope that their cries of injustice are being heard.
Family friend and spokesman Jason Connon, who has helped lead the campaign alongside the Passeys, said: “Our civil prosecution is just one part of a number of actions we will be taking in the coming months ahead in our fight to finally get justice for Ryan.
"It is in the interest of the whole of our society and our criminal justice system, we fight on to right this terrible wrong and allow Ryan’s parents some opportunity to be able to grieve properly and to try and move on from the psychological, emotional, and physical damage caused by the sudden loss of Ryan.”
