Julie Ann McIlwaine: Murder conviction overturned for woman who killed abusive partner

A woman from West Belfast, Julie Ann McIlwaine, who killed her abusive partner James Joseph Crossley by stabbing him while he slept, has had her murder conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal. The court found that the jury was misdirected regarding the loss of control defense, leading to an unjust verdict. McIlwaine, 35, had been serving a minimum 12-year sentence since her 2024 conviction. Crossley, 38, was on bail for an assault against McIlwaine and under a restraining order at the time of his death.