Professor Gisli Gudjonsson, a renowned expert witness in false confessions with over four decades of research and several authored books on the subject has testified in Oliver Campbell's appeal. Mr Campbell is appealing against his 1991 conviction for murdering Hackney shopkeeper Baldev Hoondle in a botched armed robbery in July 1990.
During his court appearance on Thursday, February 29, Professor Gudjonsson disclosed his extensive involvement in miscarriage of justice cases globally.
Drawing from his tests conducted on Mr. Campbell in 1991, he highlighted Campbell's tendency for "abnormally high" acquiescence, indicating a propensity to answer affirmatively even when lacking comprehension of the questions posed.
According to some newspaper reports notably, in 2003, Professor Gudjonsson refrained from concluding that this trait rendered Mr. Campbell susceptible to false confessions. A recent report from 2021 by Professor Gudjonsson has reversed this stance, asserting a high likelihood of Mr. Campbell having provided a false confession.
Campbell's legal representatives contend that he provided a false confession to the killing of a shopkeeper in east London, Baldev Hoondle, under duress during these police interrogations.It was during his 11th interview that Campbell confessed.
The prominent clinical psychologist, was tasked with evaluating Campbell before his trial in 1991. Gudjonsson said he expressed deep concern upon reviewing tapes and transcripts of the police interviews, conveying his apprehensions in a letter to Campbell’s lawyers alongside his assessment report.
"I was greatly troubled by the manner of questioning, and I communicated my apprehension in a cover letter regarding the interviewing techniques. I had anticipated they would seek further insight from me, but unfortunately, they did not," Gudjonsson explained.
Having dedicated over four decades to researching false confessions, Gudjonsson emphasized the overwhelming cognitive strain on Campbell, noting his evident distress and confusion.
The emeritus professor of forensic psychology at King’s College London further assessed Campbell's case for the commission. He characterized the interrogation as relentless, revealing that Campbell initially offered 104 "no comment" responses during the 10th interview, but succumbed to pressure by the 11th session.
Describing Campbell as profoundly vulnerable, often lacking adequate legal representation or support, Gudjonsson warned of a high risk of a coerced confession. He noted Campbell's compliance stemmed from a desire to halt the interrogation rather than genuine guilt.
Professor Gudjonsson highlighted the advancements in scientific understanding since 1991, particularly regarding what he referred to as Mr. Campbell's persistent "eagerness to please."During his testimony, Gudjonsson emphasized that Mr. Campbell was repeatedly confronted with the belief held by the police that he was responsible for the crime, despite his denials.
"The pressure was mounting... He was inexperienced and torn, grappling with the decision of whether to tell the truth or fabricate a story to end the interrogation," testified Gudjonsson.
Earlier evidence presented to the court showcased police interviews where officers repeatedly suggested to Mr. Campbell the possibility of an accidental shooting of Mr. Hoondle—a narrative he eventually adopted, claiming he believed the gun was unloaded.
Mr. Birnbaum, representing Campbell, dismissed the confession as "a concoction of falsehoods," noting that nearly every detail provided by Campbell regarding the alleged crime was demonstrably inaccurate.
The phenomenon of false confessions was denied for years until the ability to accurately provea person's innocence through DNA became available.
Retired clinical and forensic psychologist and neuropsychologist, Dr Alison Beck,
shared similar views on Mr Campbell, telling the court he had “extraordinarily low abilities”.
She said it had only been discovered after his trial that his functioning in one area
placed him in the lowest 1% in the population.
Barrister, Rose Slowe stated: “In 1991, Oliver lacked all of the modern safeguarding,” claiming his right to a fair trial had been denied "to such an extent that the appeal could be allowed on this ground alone."
The Government now will now have a duty to explain why it's battling to keep Mr Campbell convicted at an as-yet-unknown later date.
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