What happened to Julie Hogg? Ann Ming’s daughter has powerful legacy

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The ITV drama titled “I Fought the Law” delves into a harrowing and unsettling murder case from the late ’80s, tracing the prolonged pursuit for justice against the perpetrator over several years.

In the show’s main role is Sheridan Smith portraying Ann Ming, a character whose daughter, Julie Hogg, was brutally killed by William Dunlop. However, at first, Dunlop managed to escape being held accountable for the heinous act.

After Dunlop confessed to killing Julie, Ming felt compelled to spearhead a comprehensive campaign to reform the UK’s ‘double jeopardy’ law, with the goal of allowing Dunlop to face trial once more.

In this four-part exploration, we delve deep into Ann’s harrowing odyssey, starting with her shocking encounter revealing Julie’s fate, and concluding with the long-overdue conviction of Dunlop nearly twenty years after the initial event.

Here’s an overview of the actual events portrayed in ITV’s current series “I Fought the Law,” which can be streamed on ITVX and airs every Sunday and Monday on ITV1.

What happened to I Fought the Law’s Julie Hogg?

On November 16, 1989, William Dunlop committed the heinous act of taking the life of Julie Hogg, who was just 22 years old at the time. Regrettably, it wasn’t until nearly three months later that this horrific crime came to light.

After a night of excessive drinking, Dunlop arrived at Hogg’s residence. It is said that the violent incident ensued following a light-hearted joke made by Hogg about an injury to Dunlop’s eye, which he had received in a fight earlier on (as reported by The Independent).

In an attempt to conceal his heinous act, he choked Julie to death at her residence and concealed her body beneath the bathtub by adjusting and repositioning a hidden panel on its side.

Upon learning about the initial reports, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief thinking he might have achieved his goal. However, when news broke about Julie’s disappearance, a thorough investigation at her residence by the police revealed no signs of any disturbing or suspicious activities that could suggest foul play.

Nevertheless, her mother found it peculiar that the situation appeared to be more complex than what the authorities suggested. The closed curtains and secured doors on the vacant property seemed very strange and out of the ordinary to her.

For three months, there was no word from Julie, causing Ann to live in an anxious uncertainty about her daughter’s fate.

Ultimately, once Julie’s spouse and small child returned to the premises, an odor coming from the bathroom caught their attention. It was Ann herself who later took off the panels to reveal the source – which she referred to as a horrifying ordeal.

In the investigation, Dunlop came under scrutiny due to his recent association with Julie. His detainment occurred subsequently when DNA and fiber traces from his clothing were found on a blanket enveloping Julie, and his victim’s house keys were uncovered during a search at his residence by law enforcement.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been following the case of Dunlop closely, and despite the overwhelming evidence presented, it didn’t lead to a conviction. The trial and its subsequent re-trial ended in a deadlock among the jury members, which essentially meant an acquittal for him. At that point, he was ineligible for another trial.

In my perspective as a film enthusiast, this situation was shaped by the legal principle known as ‘double jeopardy’, which was prevalent back then. This rule prevented anyone from being tried twice for the same offense, regardless of any new evidence or confessions that surfaced – like the one provided by Dunlop, a full decade after the crime had been committed.

During a Parole Board meeting in December 2024, Dunlop admitted that his confession was primarily driven by personal self-interest. He added that this decision was influenced by the assurance he received from the double jeopardy clause, as reported by BBC News.

Dissatisfied with the additional six years added to Dunlop’s prison term due to perjury, Ann launched an individual crusade to abolish the double jeopardy law. This would have allowed the perpetrator to face a just sentence for his heinous act.

In a chat with BBC News during the premiere of I Fought the Law, I made it clear that contrary to popular belief, I didn’t have a legal dream team backing me up all along. The film itself underscores this fact.

2005 saw the modification of the law, resulting in Dunlop being convicted for the murder of Julie the subsequent year. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years, which he has now completed.

During a recent Parole Board hearing, Dunlop’s request to transfer to an open prison was under consideration due to favorable feedback on his conduct and rehabilitation from prison authorities. However, this proposal was eventually vetoed by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

A representative from the Ministry of Justice stated, “The heinous act committed against Julie Hogg is truly heart-wrenching, and our sympathies continue to go out to her loved ones. Above all, safeguarding the public is our utmost concern, which is why we have prevented William Dunlop’s transfer to an open prison.

Julie Hogg’s legacy: Convictions since double jeopardy law change

Ann Ming’s relentless efforts towards modifying the double jeopardy law have extended justice to cases beyond just Julie Hogg’s, her daughter.

Four years following Dunlop’s conviction for Julie’s homicide, Mark Weston was found guilty once more for Vikki Thompson’s murder, a case where he had earlier been wrongfully acquitted in 1996. Substantial evidence emerged subsequently to prompt the reopening of the case.

In December 2018, Russell Bishop faced his second trial, this time for the murder cases of nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway. These charges were initially brought against him thirty years prior.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but be amazed by how far forensic technology has come. In a recent court case that saw a second trial for Bishop, these advancements played a crucial role in ensuring justice was served. Upon reopening the case, the clothing evidence from the crime scene was subjected to a more detailed analysis – a testament to how technology is reshaping the judicial system.

In the subsequent year, Michael Weir was sentenced once more for the murder of elderly citizen Leonard Harris, a crime for which he had previously been deemed responsible in 1999.

The Court of Appeal overturned the initial decision because of a technical issue concerning the storage of a DNA profile in the national database. During the investigation, this profile was compared to evidence found at the crime scene.

Once more, recent developments in forensic science provided fresh proof linking Weir to the murders of not only Harris but also an elderly woman, Rose Seferian (age 83). This evidence ultimately led to his conviction for both crimes about twenty years later.

I Fought the Law is available to stream on ITVX. Episodes air Sundays and Mondays at 9pm on ITV1.

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2025-09-05 14:08