The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred the 2017 murder convictions of three men from Manchester – Durrell Goodall, Reano Walters, and Trey Wilson – to the Court of Appeal. This significant development follows a prolonged legal battle initiated by their families and centers on concerns regarding the prosecution's reliance on a 'gang narrative' during their trials. The CCRC's chair, Dame Vera Baird KC, emphasized that the referral underscores the critical need for robust safeguards to protect defendants against the 'too readily adopted' use of such narratives.

Goodall, Walters, and Wilson were convicted in August 2017 for the 'joint enterprise' murder of 18-year-old Abdul Hafidah in Moss Side in May 2016. Goodall, then 20, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years, while Walters, 18, was detained for life with a 20-year minimum. Wilson was sentenced to life with a minimum tariff of 18 years. In total, 13 men faced charges across two separate trials in Manchester and Preston Crown Courts, with these three convicted in the second trial.

The CCRC received applications for referral in May 2023, backed by Manchester MP Lucy Powell. The applications highlighted concerns from the families' lawyers about the use and interpretation of evidence, particularly rap music videos and alleged street gang membership. The CCRC's statement confirmed that 'new evidence' submitted on their behalf 'undermines' the 'gang narrative' previously relied upon by the prosecution. This new evidence includes multiple expert reports critiquing the trial evidence, particularly a police officer's testimony concerning gang membership, and faults the lack of defence argument on this theme and the judge's directions to the jury.

The commission determined there is 'a real possibility' that the Court of Appeal judges would find the fresh evidence materially weakens the prosecution's original case, potentially impacting the jury's conclusions, especially in light of now-criticized judicial directions. Dame Vera Baird KC warned that other similar cases might also be affected, stating, "This referral highlights the need for safeguards to protect defendants against the risk of unfairness from a too readily adopted gang narrative, based on inappropriate labelling. It is possible that there are other cases which would benefit from guidance on this issue, where the fear may be that stereotypes can be wrongly introduced as evidence." The CCRC is also reportedly considering an application from Nathaniel Williams, another individual convicted in connection with Hafidah's death.

Abdul Hafidah's murder was described in court as a vicious act by members of a rival gang, 'Active Only' (AO), after he ventured into their territory. Hafidah, allegedly a member of the 'Rusholme Crips,' was chased, run down by a Vauxhall Corsa, then cornered, punched, kicked, and stamped on, dying two days later. The court heard he had armed himself with a knife and was suspected of earlier attacks on AO members. Devonte Cantrill, 20 at the time, delivered the fatal knife wound. While seven were convicted of murder and four of manslaughter under 'joint enterprise' law, families and campaigners argued that proof of gang membership for some was non-existent, with the families of Goodall and Walters asserting they were prejudiced as young black men from Moss Side.

Meanwhile, in a separate but equally tragic incident in Moss Side, three teenagers have denied the murder of 15-year-old Mohanad Goobe. The defendants, aged 14 and two aged 15, appeared at Manchester Crown Court and pleaded 'not guilty' to the charge. Mohanad died following an incident on September 15. The trial is scheduled to commence on March 9 and is expected to last three weeks. Mohanad's family paid an emotional tribute, remembering him as "the baby of the family," quick to laugh, easy to love, and loyal to his many friends. Greater Manchester Police have acknowledged the CCRC's decision regarding the 2017 convictions, as the legal system continues to grapple with complex cases of violent crime involving young individuals and alleged gang affiliations in the region.