Erwin James is the pseudonym for convicted murderer and Guardian journalist Erwin James Monahan. James was released in August 2004 having served 20 years of a life sentence.[1][2] While in prison he wrote a regular column, and continues to write as well as do charity work after his release. While in prison he did not receive fees for his articles instead these were paid to the charity, the Prisoners' Advice Service, who had helped him. [3]
Contents |
For the majority of the time in which he wrote for the paper, the circumstances leading to his arrest and conviction were not revealed. In April 2009 his full name became public.[4] James had been convicted alongside his co-accused William Ross of murdering theatrical agent Greville Hallam and solicitor Angus Cochran. Hallam was found strangled in his home in London. Cochran died after being mugged.
James and Ross both pleaded not guilty to murder on both charges, each blaming the other for the killings. Another man implicated in the murders, Paul Dunwell, avoided prosecution by agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution against the pair. James and Ross were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. William Ross remains in prison.
Following the murders, James fled to France and joined the French Foreign Legion serving in Corsica. He was traced by Scotland Yard and, in August 1984, handed himself in to the British Consul in Nice.
The Old Bailey judge, Justice Otton, described Monahan as "brutal, vicious and callous" and recommended he serve a minimum of 14 years.[5]
In January 2006, James wrote an article for G2, The Guardian daily supplement, recalling his time in the Legion.[6] In 2009 he admitted that he had fabricated the paragraph detailing his experiences in Beirut as he had not, in fact, served there.[7]
Of his crimes, Erwin wrote in his April 2009 apologia in the Guardian's G2 section that "my behaviour was unforgivable and I seek no forgiveness now."[4]