Supreme Court hears church warden murder appeal
The UK Supreme Court is reviewing the murder conviction of Benjamin Field, who was jailed for killing Peter Farquhar. The court is examining whether Field can be held legally responsible for the death if the victim was manipulated into causing it himself.
Why it matters
This case sets a significant legal precedent regarding criminal liability in cases of psychological manipulation and assisted suicide.
Image source, Thames Valley Police Image caption, Benjamin Field (right) was jailed for the murder of Peter Farquhar (left)
A former deputy church warden could not have have legally caused a university lecturer's death by giving him potentially sedated whisky, the Supreme Court has been told.
Benjamin Field, 35, was jailed for at least 36 years in 2019 after being found guilty of murdering 69-year-old Peter Farquhar in Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire.
In April, appeal judges quashed Field's conviction and ordered a retrial, but said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could take the case to the Supreme Court first.
And on Tuesday, five justices at the UK's highest court were asked to consider whether Field could have made Mr Farquhar cause his own death without Field legally being responsible.
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