|
|
 |
| |
Sam Hallam, centre, with his brothers Danny and Terry |
Top actor goes on TV to free a 'lifer'
Film star Winstone pleads for killer's release
ACTOR Ray Winstone is ratcheting up the pressure to free his nephew’s best friend who is serving life for murdering an Ethiopian refugee.
In a new documentary for ITV’s Tonight show, aired this Monday at 8pm, the hardman film star promises to reveal new evidence he says could prove the innocence of Sam Hallam, 20, from Hoxton.
The former kitchen-fitter from the Arden estate is three years into his sentence at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution for a murder Mr Winstone and other supporters say he didn’t commit.
Hallam was just 17 when he and another man were jailed for life over the vicious mob killing of Essayas Kassahun, 21, near the corner of Bath Street and Old Street in 2004.
But Hallam has always maintained his innocence, claiming he was not anywhere near the murder scene.
Mr Winstone, who has known him since he was a child, is one of his most ardent supporters.
The star of hard-hitting films such as Scum and Nil By Mouth flew back from Hawaii, where he is currently filming the fourth Indiana Jones film with Harrison Ford, especially to make the Tonight programme.
In Monday’s hour-long special feature, called Ray Winstone – a Question of Murder, the actor will interview key witnesses and Hallam’s family and friends.
He said: “I’m not trying to find out who did it or why they did it. I’m not a policeman. I just want to ascertain the fact that Sam didn’t do it, that he wasn’t there, and that the police have made a huge mistake.” The film star’s involvement in the campaign to save Hallam steps up another level with the Tonight documentary, which promises to uncover new evidence of Sam’s innocence.
Ray’s sister, Laura Hopcroft, saw Hallam two weeks ago, just days before Sam celebrated his 20th birthday behind bars.
She said the programme would be “a massive boost” to the campaign.
She added: “Ray wants to help as much as he can.”
The Guildford Four have also been in touch with the former kitchen fitter and sent him letters of support.
Mr Kassahun, a trainee chef from St Luke’s estate in Finsbury, died after a gang of up to 40 youths surrounded him. A blow from a baseball bat dealt the killer blow, piercing his brain.
Wendy Cohen, Hallam’s mother, said her family had suffered a “living nightmare”. |
 |
|
| |
| Your Comments: |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
