Murder conviction overturned for woman in domestic abuse case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Oct, 13:07 · Archive

Julie Ann McIlwaine's murder conviction for killing James Joseph Crossley has been overturned on appeal.

Julie Ann McIlwaine, 35, has had her murder conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal. She had been serving a minimum 12-year jail term for the killing of James Joseph Crossley. The court determined that jurors were misdirected regarding her loss of control defence. McIlwaine wept as the ruling was delivered via video-link from Hydebank Prison.

The case involved a killing in a domestic context, with the deceased described as an abusive partner. The appeal focused on how the jury was instructed on the loss of control defence available to her.

How it is being reported

• Woman who killed abusive partner has murder conviction overturnedBBC Northern Ireland · 2 Oct, 12:52
• Julie Ann McIlwaine has conviction for murder of James Crossley overturnedBelfast Live · 2 Oct, 12:37

In this story: Julie Ann McIlwaine · James Joseph Crossley · Hydebank Prison · Court of Appeal

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem