The family of a young Fife man who died from a single stab wound to the chest in 2007 take their campaign for justice to the Scottish Parliament today.
The death of 23-year-old Colin Marr at a house he shared with his girlfriend Candice Bonar was not properly investigated by police, an independent Crown Office report by a former CID officer ruled.
Officers initially decided that the fatal blow was self-inflicted but a subsequent Fatal Accident Inquiry proved inconclusive, leaving his loved ones in limbo.
Colin Marr’s mother and stepfather, Margaret and Stuart Graham, have appealed to politicians to guarantee victims’ families an immediate public probe if they face similar circumstances.
Mr Graham said: “Through our own personal insight and developing awareness of European Court of Human Rights Article 2, we believe there is a significant shortfall in delivering transparency within our justice system.
“In talking with families with similar issues and reading of a number of other instances it has become clear that a key factor in being able to get closure is transparency.
“In my family’s specific case we would gain nothing from this recommendation but collectively we see it as a positive outcome from the learnings we have gained through being exposed to our current system.”
The Grahams will ask MSPs at today’s meeting of the Public Petitions Committee to back their call for “a mandatory public inquiry with full evidence release in deaths determined to be self-inflicted or accidental, following suspicious death investigations”.
Currently, FAIs are discretionary in many cases where investigations suggest a death was self-inflicted or accidental.
The couple are expected to give evidence at the Holyrood hearing, along with retired Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Whittle, formerly of West Yorkshire Police.
Mr Graham added: “It will be our hope that our petition is supported by the committee and it is passed to the next stage.
“We fully hope that with the weight of evidence supporting us that we have comprehensive support from the committee.”
The couple recently formed The Victims’ Final Right Party and Mr Graham is standing in the Scottish Parliamentary by-election on January 23.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The failings of Fife Constabulary in relation to the initial investigation into the death of Colin have been acknowledged previously and it is clear that the initial investigation was not of the standard expected.
“A second complaint investigation, concluded in March 2013, has been referred to the PIRC to ensure an independent review is undertaken.”
Photo by David Wardle