Friday, March 11, 2011

Family cry 'cover-up' as murder case collapses on 24th anniversary of death of private detective found with axe in his head

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:45 PM on 11th March 2011

Mystery: Daniel Morgan's murder remains unsolved 24 years after his body was found in a car park

The family of private detective Daniel Morgan was devastated today after his multi-million pound murder case collapsed on the 24th anniversary of his death.
They called for a judicial inquiry into the blow saying: 'The criminal justice system is not fit for purpose.'
Mr Morgan, 37, was found with an axe in his head in a pub car park on March 10, 1987, in a case which has become one of Britain's longest unsolved murders.
No one has been brought to justice despite five police inquiries and three years of legal hearings, unofficially estimated to have cost around £30 million.
Five people were arrested in 2008 but two, including a former detective accused of perverting justice, were cleared after a string of supergrasses were discredited.
The final blow came today when the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against the remaining three - Mr Morgan's former business partner Jonathan Rees and brothers Garry and Glenn Vian.

Still seeking justice: Daniel Morgan's mother, Isobel Hulsmann, and widow, Iris, leave court following today's ruling

Mr Morgan's mother Isobel Hulsmann, 83, who had travelled from her home in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, to lay flowers at her son's grave in London, was being comforted by her family today.

Defendant Gerry Vian outside the Old Bailey following the collapse of the trial into the murder of Daniel Morgan

Defendant Glenn Vian outside the Old Bailey following the collapse of the trial into the murder of Daniel Morgan

Defendant Jonathan Rees outside the Old Bailey following the collapse of the trial into the murder of Daniel Morgan

Collapsed: Defendants Garry Vian (left), Glenn Vian (centre) and Jonathan Rees are free men after the case against them was withdrawn

Brutal: A file photo of the spot where Daniel Morgan was murdered in 1987

Crime scene: Mr Morgan's body was found in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south London

Devastated: Mr Morgan's brother, Alistair, says his family is outraged by today's decision

They had been praying for justice after so many years and were left frustrated and confused after being warned of today's outcome.
Mr Morgan's brother Alistair, 62, said: 'My family is devastated by this news.
'We put some flowers on the grave. It's just horrible.'
Mr Morgan claimed there have been a number of police cover-ups over the years and alleges that his brother was murdered because he was about to expose police corruption.
He claimed: 'It was obvious to us my brother was going to blow the lid off the links between the police and criminals.'

Family memories: Daniel Morgan (left) and his brother Alistair, who claims that the private detective was murdered because he was about to expose police corruption