Last updated 13:44, Tuesday, 07 October 2008

FREE Gordon Park campaigners say they have a signed statement from a prosecution witness who claims cops told them what to say in court.

Campaigners are also leafleting Barrow homes looking for anyone else who might have new evidence that could free the former headmaster. 

Park, of Norland Avenue, Barrow, was convicted of murdering his wife Carol in 1976. Her trussed-up body was found by amateur divers in August 1997 in Coniston Water.

The 64-year-old former teacher was found guilty of killing her after a lengthy trial at Manchester Crown Court.

He is currently serving his life sentence at HM Prison Garth in Leyland.

Campaign spokesman George Harrison, who Park and his wife Jennifer stayed with throughout the trial in 2004/5, said: “We have in our possession, a signed, witnessed, statement, made this week, by one of the main prosecution witnesses, stating, ‘police officers did put words in my mouth regarding Gordon Park’ and ‘the police told me what to say in court.’

“We invite you to conclude that his conviction in January 2005 is seriously flawed and express your view at www.gordonisinnocent.com.”

Mr Harrison, an elder at Pendlebury Evangelical Church in Manchester, hoped people would remember facts relevant to Park’s case and come forward and help their cause.

He said: “We found Gordon Park to be a caring, gentle person, demonstrated by his willingness to adopt his murdered sister-in-law’s child, and repeatedly accept his wife Carol back despite her regular abandonment in favour of other men.

“I attended the trial occasionally and was shocked that a jury, having heard some of the evidence that they had heard, could possibly come to a guilty verdict.

“After that verdict I provided pastoral support to Gordon, visiting him regularly in the category A HMP Manchester, and, because I’m convinced of his innocence, have helped Gordon, his family and friends highlight the issues contained in the leaflets recently distributed in Cumbria. The experiences of many victims of miscarriages of justice are terrifyingly similar.

“Their ability to challenge the process that has incorrectly incarcerated them is rendered virtually impossible by the constraints common to all guests, family, friends, the internet, Google, email, word processing and, before you get leave to appeal, the astronomical expense of even basic legal representation.

“On the other hand, the body which investigated the victim has virtually limitless resources in terms of manpower, access to information and witnesses who may further their objectives.

“Six thousand booklets and leaflets have been delivered to homes locally. Their content can be examined at www.gordonisinnocent.com.”

Detectives say Park was found guilty after a thorough investigation and convicted by a jury.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Constabulary said: “Detectives from Cumbria Constabulary carried out a full and thorough investigation and the full facts of the case were presented to the CPS. The case was then tried by a jury, where Gordon Park was found guilty of the murder of Carol Park in 1976.”