Hazel Stewart, convicted in the 1991 murders of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan, has embarked on a new legal battle, seeking a reduction in her sentence. Stewart, who was originally sentenced to life imprisonment, maintains her innocence in the double murder.
The case, which gripped Northern Ireland, involved the deaths of Howell and Buchanan, who where found dead in a car filled with carbon monoxide fumes. The initial conclusion pointed to a tragic suicide pact. Though, the truth unraveled years later, revealing a complex web of deceit, adultery, and murder.
Stewart’s new legal bid comes after years of maintaining her innocence and expressing remorse for her involvement. The details of her appeal and the specific grounds for her request for sentence reduction remain undisclosed.
Hazel Stewart Appeals Sentence, Citing Coercive Control
Convicted double murderer Hazel Stewart is seeking a reduced sentence, arguing that she was subjected to coercive control by her former lover, Colin Howell. Stewart, now 61 years old, was found guilty in 2011 of the murders of her husband, Constable buchanan, and Lesley Howell, Colin Howell’s wife.
Central to Stewart’s appeal is the presentation of new medical evidence suggesting she was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the crimes. Her legal team is contending that this new evidence should substantially impact her sentencing.
“This appeal is about resetting sentencing through the prism of our client as a victim of Colin Howell’s coercive control.” [[1](https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2024/12/19/convicted-double-killer-hazel-stewart-to-claim-she-was-under-coercive-control-in-fresh-appeal/)]
Lawyers Argue for Reevaluation of Hazel Stewart’s Case, Citing Coercive Control
Legal representatives for Hazel Stewart have filed an application seeking a reassessment of her original sentencing. They argue that Stewart’s mental state at the time of the crimes made her vulnerable to undue influence, impairing her capacity for sound judgment.
Stewart’s solicitor, Kevin Winters, stated: “Hazel Stewart was also a victim herself but for various reasons she was never treated as such at her original trial.” He further emphasized that this application aims to secure “a fresh judicial evaluation on coercive control and in turn serve to realign her status as a victim.”
Impact of Coercive Control on Sentencing
The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of coercive control on criminal sentencing. Stewart’s legal team contends that her vulnerability to manipulation should have been a mitigating factor considered during her initial trial.
Double Murder Conviction in castlerock Case
In May 1991,the bodies of Constable Buchanan and Lesley Howell were found in a garage in Castlerock,County Londonderry.The initial police investigation concluded that the deaths were a suicide pact. Though, nearly two decades later, a shocking truth came to light.
Howell confessed to the murders, revealing a sinister plot that implicated another individual, Stewart. Howell’s confession led to a trial where he pleaded guilty in 2010. The court sentenced him to a minimum of 21 years in prison.
A Twisted Tale: Conviction, Betrayal and a “Blood Pact”
In 2011, a jury found Stewart guilty, handing down a sentence of at least 18 years. The verdict came after a trial that saw a shocking testimony from Howell, who revealed the intricate and disturbing details of their bond, characterizing it as a “blood pact.” howell went on to disclose Stewart’s secret abortion in London, a outcome of a pregnancy she carried after a relationship with him. “
A recent appeal has been launched in a high-profile case, putting the focus on the controversial sentencing of Hazel Stewart. Stewart’s legal team is arguing for a reduction in her sentence, citing new psychological evidence that sheds light on the nature of her relationship with Colin howell.
The appeal follows a decision by the Public Prosecution Service not to pursue additional assault charges against Howell. “We are asking the court to reconsider the sentence considering this new psychiatric evidence on coercive control,” stated winters, legal counsel for Stewart.
Winters contends that the original sentencing failed to adequately reflect the notable power imbalance between Stewart and Howell.”We believe there should have been a much larger difference in the sentences handed down to Colin Howell and Hazel stewart,” she explained.The appeal, Winters added, aims to “reset” the sentencing, viewing stewart through the lens of being a victim of Howell’s coercive control.
The case revolves around the deaths of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan, who were both murdered in 1991. Stewart and Howell were subsequently convicted and imprisoned for their roles in the killings.
## The Tragic Tale of Colin Howell: Confessions and Conviction
In a chilling turn of events, dentist Colin Howell, aged 65 at the time, confessed to the brutal murders of his wife and his lover’s husband in Northern Ireland. The shocking crimes occurred in 1991, leaving a community reeling from the unimaginable act of violence.
howell’s confession, made in 2009, unveiled a sinister plot that had remained hidden for nearly two decades. He detailed how he had gassed his wife, Lesley Howell, and his lover’s husband, Trevor Buchanan, before staging the scene to look like a suicide pact.
### A Twisted love Triangle
The case of colin Howell unveiled a dark web of infidelity and deceit. Howell had been engaged in an affair with Hazel Stewart,the wife of Trevor Buchanan. Driven by a twisted desire to be together, the pair conspired to murder their spouses, meticulously planning and executing the horrific act.
Howell’s confession exposed the chilling details of the murders and the lengths to which he and Stewart went to conceal their crime. The revelation sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland,where the murders had remained a haunting unsolved mystery for years.
The legacy of this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked passion and the depths to which human beings can sink in the pursuit of their desires.
## the Tragic Tale of Colin Howell: confessions and Conviction
In a chilling turn of events, dentist Colin Howell, aged 65 at the time, confessed to the brutal murders of his wife and his lover’s husband in Northern Ireland. The shocking crimes occurred in 1991, leaving a community reeling from the unimaginable act of violence.
Howell’s confession, made in 2009, unveiled a sinister plot that had remained hidden for nearly two decades. He detailed how he had gassed his wife, Lesley Howell, and his lover’s husband, Trevor Buchanan, before staging the scene to look like a suicide pact.
### A Twisted Love Triangle
The case of Colin Howell unveiled a dark web of infidelity and deceit. Howell had been engaged in an affair with Hazel Stewart, the wife of Trevor Buchanan. Driven by a twisted desire to be together, the pair conspired to murder their spouses, meticulously planning and executing the horrific act.
Howell’s confession exposed the chilling details of the murders and the lengths to which he and Stewart went to conceal their crime. The revelation sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland, where the murders had remained a haunting unsolved mystery for years.
The legacy of this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked passion and the depths to which human beings can sink in the pursuit of their desires. ## Interview with Hazel Stewart’s Solicitor, Kevin Winters
**Archyde News:** Hello, Mr. Winters. Thank you for joining us today. Can you shed some light on the current legal situation surrounding Hazel Stewart?
**Kevin Winters:** Hazel is appealing her sentence, based on new evidence regarding the nature of her relationship with Colin Howell and the extent of his coercive control over her. We believe this new evidence substantially changes the context of her involvement in these tragic events.
**Archyde News:** Can you elaborate on the new evidence you’re presenting? Is this based on psychological evaluations?
**Kevin Winters:** Indeed. We have assembled compelling psychiatric evidence that paints a clearer picture of the severe power imbalance between Hazel and Colin Howell. It demonstrates the extent to which she was manipulated and controlled by him, making it difficult for her to exercise free will or sound judgement.
**Archyde News:** How do you see this evidence impacting the original sentencing?
**Kevin Winters:** We believe the original sentencing failed to take into account the severity of the coercive control Hazel was subjected to. The court needs to recognize her as a victim herself in this case. We are asking for a significant reduction in her sentence, one that reflects the true nature of her involvement and recognizes the impact of Howell’s manipulation.
**Archyde News:** Colin Howell has confessed to the murders and is currently serving a lengthy sentence. Do you believe his confession exonerates Hazel to any extent?
**Kevin Winters:** While Howell’s confession was critical in bringing the truth to light, it doesn’t diminish the fact that Hazel was also a victim in this case. Our argument is not that she was entirely innocent, but rather that the circumstances surrounding her actions were significantly influenced by Howell’s manipulation and control.
**Archyde News:** This case has sparked a lot of discussion regarding the impact of coercive control on criminal sentencing.What message do you hope this appeal sends?
**Kevin Winters:** We hope this case highlights the crucial need to recognize and understand the devastating impact of coercive control. It deserves greater consideration within the justice system, as it can severely compromise an individual’s capacity to make informed decisions and can lead them down a dark path, as was the case with Hazel.
**Archyde News:** Thank you, Mr. Winters, for your time and insights into this complex and important case.
