Family continue fight for justice as new evidence ruled insufficient for retrial into son's death
Ryan Passey's family are taking legal action after being told the case won't go back to court despite new evidence coming to light.
Last updated 30th Jun 2026
The family of a man from Stourbridge who was fatally stabbed nine years ago are taking legal action against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after being told the case won't go back to court.
Ryan Passey was 24 when he was stabbed outside the old Chicago's nightclub in the town centre in 2017, and now new evidence has surfaced, but not enough to warrant a retrial, the CPS ruled.
A man admitted stabbing Ryan in the nightclub but ended up being cleared of murder and manslaughter following a trial in 2019.
Kobe Murray said he acted in self defence during the fatal altercation, however, Ryan's family won a civil case against Murray in 2021 after successfully arguing he had been unlawfully killed.
West Midlands Police reopened the case in 2023 following an independent review and discovered what Ryan's family said was "strong new evidence", but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Stephen Parkinson, has now ruled it does not justify new proceedings.
Jason Connan from the Justice for Ryan campaign group said the decision has been heartbreaking.
"We simply can't understand given the evidence that's been discovered why the DPP has chosen the decision he has chosen," he said.
"The impact of the decision on Ryan's parents, Ade, Gill and Phill, has been utt3erly devastating.
"They liken it to the actual day of the aquital verdict itself."
The CPS said the bar for permitting retrials in respect of very serious offences, known as ‘double jeopardy law’, is exceptionally high.
A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with Ryan’s family, whom the Director of Public Prosecutions met personally to provide a detailed explanation of his decision-making.
“We never hesitate to pursue cases under double jeopardy legislation when the legal tests are met, and will engage fully with any further proceedings in this case."
Ryan's family have made a referral under the Judicial Review process to challenge the decision.
In a statement, Ryan's family said: 'Our fight is not only for Ryan. It is for every family that has been told that a clear injustice must simply be endured.
'This is not about anger or revenge — it is about fairness, transparency, and public confidence.
'A justice system that cannot meaningfully respond to credible new evidence — without placing unbearable emotional and financial burdens on families — must be questioned.
'We will continue to speak out. We will continue to ask difficult questions. And we will continue to fight for Ryan by challenging the DPP’s decision in court — because Ryan deserves nothing less, and because no other family should have to endure what we have.'