Sally Clark dies

Sally Clark has died aged just 42. She was a mother found guilty of killing two sons, being sent to prison and then with the help of her steadfast husband having her conviction quashed. The torment of being convicted and then sent to prison must have been bad enough but it is too easy to forget how awful it would be to lose two young children in the first place. Although I think that the death was announced yesterday I noticed the story was the lead item on ITV's early evening news today.

It will be remembered that Angela Cannings and Donna Anthony were convicted of similar 'crimes' but eventually released on appeal. When I hear people clamour for the return of the death penalty in this country I feel like mentioning these three ladies names. Interestingly I heard Michael Howard say not so long ago that is now against capital punishment and I was quite surprised but pleased that he voiced that opinion.

Until a post mortem is carried out we won't know the cause of Sally's death; suicide has not been ruled out. The way we treat people wrongly convicted of a crime and the way we treat relatives of those who have been murdered is indicative of how civilised we are. I'm afraid this country is far from perfect in that respect.