“An excellent, meticulous film about a tragedy in which there were no winners, only losers” – Carol Midgely, The Times
“This documentary takes us to the heart of one of the most talked-about British legal cases of recent years. In 2010, Sally Challen killed her husband, Richard; she bludgeoned him to death with a hammer, hitting him more than 20 times. She never denied killing him, and was convicted for his murder. But subsequent revelations regarding Richard’s years of abuse, Sally’s psychological state at the time and a change in the law relating to “coercive and controlling behaviour” gave her family, friends and supporters hope that her conviction might be reduced on appeal to “manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility”. ” – Gerard O’Donovan, The Daily Telegraph
“With fewer than 10% of appeals ever quashing a conviction, this documentary is a compelling case for the need for greater nuance in the law and its reporting.” – Ammar Kalia, The Guardian
“This gripping documentary follows the course of the appeal and the specific challenges her legal team faced. Despite what the old fashioned of this world suspected, coercive control would not be a defence in murder. “No one deserved to die just because they’re horrible.” The new offence would simply provide the framework for another trial, with hope pinned on a revised verdict of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.” – Suzy Feay, Financial Times
Directed & Produced by Rowan Deacon & Lizzie Kempton; BBC / Minnow Films