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Prosecutor: Police "jumped the gun" on triple killer charge
31 Mar
Summary
- Prosecutor stated police acted prematurely in charging the triple killer.
- The Nottingham Inquiry examines decisions made after the June 2023 attacks.
- Mental health was a significant factor in the killer's diminished responsibility plea.
During the Nottingham Inquiry, a prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that Nottinghamshire Police "jumped the gun" by prematurely charging Valdo Calocane, who admitted to killing three people in June 2023. The inquiry is examining the events leading up to and following the attacks.
Specialist prosecutor Alan Murphy informed the inquiry on Tuesday that he received an apology from the senior investigating officer, Leigh Sanders, for the "emergency charge." Murphy noted that police seemed to be under pressure, suggesting this led to the hurried charging decision. Sanders had previously stated he mistakenly believed he had verbal authorization from the CPS for the charge.
The inquiry heard that Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Medical experts agreed his condition impaired his self-control. Prosecutors were careful to seek supporting evidence, acknowledging Calocane could be unreliable in his accounts.
The CPS instructed experts to assess Calocane, while his defense also provided a psychiatric report. The victims' families raised concerns about these reports. The inquiry continues on April 13th.
