In the Media

Solicitor-advocate acted for teacher in abuse acquittal

PUBLISHED May 16, 2012
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Thursday 17 May 2012 by Jonathan Rayner

Who? Marsha Myers, sex-crimes solicitor-advocate at Manchester firm Kristina ­Harrison.

Why is she in the news? ­Represented Neil Carr, 25, a teacher cleared of 20 counts of sexually abusing seven of his eight-year-old pupils. Carr, who had been suspended from his school since 15 February 2011, was cleared of all charges on 27 April 2012 after a five-week trial. The school and the National Union of Teachers have urged him to return to the classroom, but he has so far declined to do so.

Thoughts on the case: 'I defended Neil Carr with all my heart and soul because I knew that to win this case I had to convey to the jury my passionate belief that the only just verdict was an acquittal. My closing speech spanned two days and lasted more than six hours. It included singing, poetry and a reading from a novel. But I think that it saved Neil's life - he was broken by all those false accusations.'

Why become a lawyer? 'My brother Jeffrey is a property lawyer in our home city of Leeds and it seemed a good idea to follow his lead.'

Career high: 'This case, which had seemed impossible to win.'

Career low: 'The same misery as all my legal aid colleagues - being paid Robin Reliant rates for a Rolls-Royce service.'

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