KILLERS Nigel Goolding and Joshua Spruce, found guilty of murdering Jock Straiton after a five-week trial, are weighing up appeals against their convictions and sentences.
The Northwich Cricket Club duo were jailed for a minimum of 15 years on April 3 after being convicted of murdering the Winnington grandad.
Lawyers representing the pair, both aged 20, have 28 days in which to lodge an appeal.
Stephen Rodgers, whose firm represents Goolding, said: “We’re considering our position. There is a deadline laid down by law but we can ask for an extension.”
Chris Johnson, legal partner at Moss Haselhurst, the firm which represented Spruce, told The Chronicle: “Josh is considering his options in conjunction with the legal team.”
The third man accused of Mr Straiton’s murder, 20-year-old Paul Blower from Wincham, was cleared of murder after spending 247 days on remand.
Sale-based brief John Black said his client had never denied he was involved in an argument with Mr Straiton and a neighbour in the early hours of July 26.
But, as the jury decided, Mr Blower didn’t lay a finger on the victim.
“We were confident from the outset Paul was innocent and the evidence which came out in court vindicated his ‘not guilty’ plea,” said Mr Black.
“He always accepted his presence there and initial involvement but he always maintained no involvement in the violence and the evidence supported that.
“We hope the family of the deceased will now get some closure.”
