Appeal claims judges swayed by moral views in ex-church warden murder case
35 year old Benjamin Field is serving a life sentence for the murder of Peter Farquhar
The Court of Appeal has heard arguments that judges showed "moral disapproval" when upholding the murder conviction of former church warden Benjamin Field.
Field, who is 35 years old, was sentenced to life for the murder of Peter Farquhar, a 69-year-old lecturer at the University of Buckingham
A jury determined that Field manipulated Mr Farquhar to believe he was losing his mind to inherit his wealth.
During the trial, the prosecution claimed Field secretly administered tranquiliser drugs and spiked Mr Farquhar's whisky, intending for his death to resemble suicide or an accident. Field's legal team denied any intent to kill.
Field, from Wellingborough Road, Olney, Buckinghamshire, was initially sentenced in October 2019, following his conviction at Oxford Crown Court, with a minimum term of 36 years.
Although his first appeal attempt was rejected by the Court of Appeal in 2021, the case has been reconsidered after a referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Barrister David Jeremy KC argued that Mr Farquhar's consumption of whisky or medication was voluntary and stated, "There was no evidence that he was forced or deceived into consuming either." Jeremy suggested a distinction between supplying Mr Farquhar with the drink and compelling him to consume it, comparing it to handing him car keys rather than making him drive.
The trial had previously exposed Field's manipulative behaviour involving Ann Moore-Martin, a retired head teacher and Mr Farquhar's neighbour.
Field admitted to fraudulent relationships with pensioners, aiming to alter their wills. He was acquitted of conspiracy and attempted murder charges relating to Ms Moore-Martin and found not guilty of fraud-related possession charges.
Mr Jeremy maintained that the original Court of Appeal judgment inaccurately applied the law due to moral bias, stating: "In March 2021, this court allowed its moral disapproval of what Field had done to deflect it from its duty to apply the law."
Field participated in the hearing via videolink from HMP Frankland prison in Durham. The Crown Prosecution Service opposes the appeal, with barrister David Perry KC asserting the conviction is sound.
Perry noted, "The appellant was...playing his part in causing the death both as a matter of common sense and as a matter of law."
The hearing before Lord Justice Edis, Mr Justice Goose, and Mr Justice Butcher has now concluded, with a written decision expected at a later date.