Articles for tag: assessment, diagnosis, diminished, homicide, law, lessons, psychiatry, responsibility, risk, standards, treatment

No new lessons here: Retired consultant killed by son who suffered with schizophrenia.

The case of Daniel Harrison, who was convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility after killing his father, Dr Nicholas Kim Harrison, highlights significant failings in mental health care management.  The Coroner gave a narrative verdict on 16/04/2024. The homicide had happened in March 2022. [References and sources at the end] While the publisher and author(s) have …

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Culpability, Care, and Compensation: The Legal Quandary of Lewis-Ranwell v G4S and Ors

In a case that challenges our understanding of mental illness and criminal responsibility, the Court of Appeal has ruled that Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, a man who killed three people while in the grip of severe psychosis, can proceed with his civil claim against the public bodies responsible for his care. This landmark decision in Alexander Lewis-Ranwell …

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Valdo Calocane: did he get away with murder?

The recent events on the sentencing of Valdo Calocane have led to public outcries. Mr Coates’ son James (a victim) said that Calocane had “made a mockery of the system“, adding that “he has got away with murder“. I have no relationship to the victims, their families, Calocane or the legal proceedings. This exploration will …

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Insanity and diminished responsibility

This article is an exploration of two legal defences to unlawful homicide. The materials here are for educational purposes and subject to our disclaimer. The word ‘insanity’ is obviously related to ‘insane’. In the UK people are not ‘certified as insane’, contrary to popular social media belief – driven by movies. If you wish to …

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Diminished responsibility–the new law

This is an exploration of how the latest amendment to the Homicide Act 1957 (by S52 of the Coroner’s Act 2009) will apply. It is a graphical representation, for ease of visualisation and understanding. Diminished Responsibilty – Homicide Act 1957 – As Amended by Coroner’s Act 2009 I note importantly that: 1. S2(1) – contains …

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