The family of Ryan Passey have spoken about their continuing campaign nine years on, ahead of what they hope will be the biggest ever Ride For Justice.
They have also revealed that more new evidence has been found and passed to the Crown Prosecution Service as they prepared to mark the anniversary of Ryan's death at a nightclub in Stourbridge.
Kobe Murray was initially arrested, charged and tried for the murder of Ryan but walked free with what has been described as a ‘perverse acquittal verdict’ - where someone is acquitted contrary to the evidence presented.
A recent decision by the Director for Public Prosecutions to reject a retrial, although compelling new evidence was reportedly uncovered during a reinvestigation of the case by West Midlands Police, has left the family with no choice but to request a potentially expensive judicial review.
Pursuing such legal action could be a very costly journey to seek justice - possibly between £60,000 and £80,000 - but the family remain relentless in their endeavour and they are now hoping the campaign’s biggest fundraiser of the year will help towards legal costs.
Jason Connon, Campaign Lead at Justice for Ryan said: "We have recently been informed by West Midlands Police that further evidence has been submitted to the CPS for charging advice,
"The decision to submit new evidence that meets the Full Code Test threshold to the CPS for pre-charge advice is another significant milestone in Ryan's case and a welcome step forward. It is an important development that gives renewed hope that justice may finally be within reach.
"However, while we are encouraged that this new evidence has been put before the CPS, we are deeply concerned by the continued delay in reaching a decision.
"Two months have now passed since the evidence was submitted, yet the family are still waiting to hear whether charges will be authorised.
"After nine years of delays and disappointments, our family had hoped that this stage of the process would be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Instead, we are once again feeling let down by the very system that is supposed to deliver justice.
"Our campaign welcomes this significant progress, but we urge the CPS to make a timely decision so that we as a family are not left waiting any longer for the answers and accountability we deserve."
The annual Ride For Justice is set to take place this Saturday (August 8) and will see hundreds of motorcyclists turn out to ride out at 10.30am from The Widders pub in Cradley, through Stourbridge town centre, and on to Poole Hall Fisheries in Shropshire.
The riders will then return to The Widders where landlord and good friend John Hill is hosting a fundraising family fun day for the rest of the afternoon to help raise funds for the family’s legal fight.
Suzanne Webb OBE, former MP for Stourbridge, added: "The decision to submit new evidence for a charging decision is a significant milestone and a welcome step forward.
"Every part of the criminal justice system now has a responsibility to ensure justice is finally delivered. Ryan's family has already endured nine years of unimaginable pain and uncertainty.
"They deserve a process that commands public confidence and finally provides the answers they have been seeking.
"After the outcome of the 2018 trial, which failed to deliver justice for Ryan, it is more important than ever that this new evidence is considered thoroughly, fairly and without delay. Ryan's family deserves nothing less.
"I have stood alongside Ryan's family throughout their fight. I will not stop calling for justice for Ryan, because no family should have to spend almost a decade fighting for the truth and the justice they deserve.
"The criminal justice system exists to uncover the truth, hold those responsible to account and deliver justice. After nine long years, it is time for every agency entrusted with that responsibility to do exactly that.
"Ryan's family has waited long enough; it is time to just get on now and deliver it."
The Justice For Ryan Campaign is also preparing to launch a national petition calling for reform of self-defence laws in England and Wales and for the introduction of Ryan Passey’s Law.
Under current legislation, a person can claim self-defence using reasonable force but the law provides no clear statutory guidance when a knife is used against an unarmed individual.
The family want to see this changed to close what they say is a “serious gap in our justice system” and to ensure that when a knife is used against an unarmed victim and causes serious injury or death, the force used should be presumed disproportionate unless clearly justified by the evidence and circumstances.
Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraising campaign to help Ryan’s family with legal costs can do so via the JustGiving website.
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