Convicted Murderer Thomas Cashman’s Appeal Bid Rejected

Thomas Cashman, the individual convicted of killing nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, has had his latest attempt to appeal his murder conviction dismissed. Cashman discharged a firearm through the front door of Olivia’s family home in Liverpool on 22 August 2022, while pursuing another drug dealer. The bullet first struck Olivia’s mother, Cheryl Korbel, in the wrist, before fatally wounding the schoolgirl. Cashman’s legal team had petitioned London’s Court of Appeal to mandate an investigation into an allegation that the jury was provided with information not presented as evidence during his trial. John Cooper KC, representing Cashman, had sought an extension of time to submit an application for leave to appeal the conviction. He stated that claims had emerged alleging the jury received documents pertaining to co-defendant Paul Russell. Russell was not involved in the shooting but assisted Cashman afterwards by supplying him with clothing and a car ride. Jurors were not informed that Russell had already pleaded guilty to assisting an offender when the trial began, due to concerns that such details could prejudice the case. Mr Cooper asserted: “The allegation is of such seriousness that it would be wrong for an investigation not to be ordered.” He added, “It is in the public interest that if allegations of such a serious nature are made, they are substantiated or put to bed.” However, the panel of judges observed that the claim had been transmitted from “someone to someone to someone to someone” before reaching Cashman. During the hearing, Miss Korbel monitored the proceedings remotely via a videolink. Mr Cooper also informed the court of suggestions that police had provided members of the jury with panic alarms, without the knowledge of the defence team. He conveyed to the panel of judges that he was not seeking to have Cashman’s conviction overturned based solely on these allegations, but rather urged the court to seek further information. Nevertheless, David McLachlan KC, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, informed the court that there was “simply no evidence” of any “jury irregularity.” The court subsequently rejected the application, with Lord Justice Holroyde, the presiding judge, indicating that the reasons for this decision would be published in writing at a later date. Cashman was convicted of Olivia’s murder, the attempted murder of Joseph Nee—whom he had chased into the house—wounding Miss Korbel with intent, and related firearms charges at Manchester Crown Court in April 2023. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of 42 years.