Summary
Joe and Kate Duffy campaigned for over 30 years to abolish the "not proven" verdict in Scotland after their daughter Amanda's murder. In Scotland, a jury can find a person "not proven," which means acquittal similar to "not guilty." As of January 1, the "not proven" verdict is no longer used in Scottish courts.
Key Facts
- Amanda Duffy was murdered in Hamilton, Scotland, in 1992 at age 19.
- The man accused, Francis Auld, was acquitted with a "not proven" verdict.
- "Not proven" is an acquittal verdict used in Scottish criminal trials, similar to "not guilty."
- Joe and Kate Duffy spent over 30 years campaigning to remove this verdict.
- As of January 1, Scottish trials will only use "guilty" or "not guilty" verdicts.
- The change means future trials will not have the "not proven" option.
- The Duffy family gathered thousands of petition signatures to support abolition.
- The "not proven" verdict had no written legal definition, causing confusion.
