Judgment was reserved at the end of an appeal yesterday by five men convicted of murdering Ms Ann Marie Smith (26) in Belfast four years ago.
The Armagh woman was killed after it was discovered she was a Catholic. She was lured from Hillfoot Glentoran Supporters Club and strangled in a house in east Belfast. Her body was dumped nearby and her throat was cut.
During the two week appeal hearing, defence lawyers attacked the credibility of the chief prosecution witness, Ms Cheryl Kelly (21), following the revelation that she lied during the trial.
She had denied committing any offence since the murder but it was revealed on Wednesday that she stole a bottle of vodka in England while in the care of the RUC witness protection unit.
The appellants are Samuel Cooke (29), of Cregagh Street, Stephen Manners (33), of Woodstock House, David Magee (26), of Pearl Street, Philip Murray (30), of Kingswood Street, all in Belfast, and Graham Bingham (25), of Carmeen Drive, Rathcoole. Cooke, Manners and Bingham were ordered to serve at least 25 years and Magee and Murray 20 years.
