13/07/2007
An unprecedented bid to overcome the wall of fear and silence surrounding the murder of teenager Jessie James has been launched by Manchester's coroner.
In a press release statement, HM Coroner for Manchester, Mr Nigel Meadows, said:
"The inquest into the death of Jessie James will be heard at Manchester Crown Court, starting on Monday 6th August. I have made orders protecting the anonymity of civilian members of the public who can give any relevant evidence. Special measures are in place to protect these witnesses’ identities, as well as their security.
Jessie was a 15 year old schoolboy who was gunned down in Broadfield Park at about 1am on the 9th September 2006.
I am sure that someone in the community in and around Moss Side knows something more about the circumstances of Jesse’s death. It may involve events that occurred the day before or earlier than that. People in Manchester will not and cannot allow the killing of a young boy to go unsolved. Everyone in the community owes it to Jessie’s family to do all that they can to bring the murderers to justice. I therefore appeal to anyone who can provide any information about the matter to tell the police urgently. Your identity will be protected. The killing of Jessie is a watershed event for the community and Jessie’s killers need to be caught to prevent a reoccurrence of this sort of incident ever again on the streets of Manchester."
Pete Weatherby will represent Jessie James' mother, Barbara Reid, instructed by Robert Lizar solicitors.
> Break Wall of Silence for Jessie - 13/7/07 (Manchester Evening News)