Recent revelations surrounding the case of triple killer Valdo Calocane have raised questions about the thoroughness of the police investigation.
Calocane, a 32-year-old paranoid schizophrenic, was recently subjected to an indefinite secure hospital order after admitting to manslaughter for the brutal stabbings that claimed the lives of students Grace O’Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham on June 13 last year.
However, a report now alleges that police failed to conduct comprehensive toxicology tests on Calocane, potentially impacting the severity of his sentence.
Missed Opportunities in Evidence Collection
It has been reported that Calocane, refusing to provide blood and urine samples, was not subjected to certain toxicology tests that could have revealed the presence of drugs or alcohol in his system.
The absence of such evidence may have influenced the sentencing outcome for the killings.
Notably, the families of the victims have expressed distress upon learning that toxicology samples were taken from the bodies of the deceased.
The potential presence of drugs or alcohol in their systems could have provided a legal defense of self-defense for the perpetrator.
Independent Review Ordered by Attorney General
In response to these revelations, the Attorney General has initiated an independent review of the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) decision to accept Calocane’s guilty pleas to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
The review will likely scrutinize the police’s handling of evidence, especially the lack of toxicology tests on the perpetrator.
The CPS’s decision to accept Calocane’s plea has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about the adequacy of the investigation and potential missed opportunities for intervention.
Sentencing Council Guidelines and Legal Ramifications
The Sentencing Council’s guidelines for manslaughter by diminished responsibility, the charge to which Calocane pleaded guilty, emphasize considering the culpability of the offender’s actions or omissions contributing to the seriousness of the mental disorder at the time of the offense.
If an offender’s voluntary abuse of drugs or alcohol exacerbates the mental disorder, it may increase their responsibility. In cases where responsibility is deemed high, a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years in custody can be imposed.
Families Seek Answers and Further Review
The families of the victims, grappling with the shocking turn of events, are seeking answers regarding missed opportunities to intervene and prevent the horrific crimes.
Grace’s father, Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, expressed concerns about the lack of toxicology and contemporaneous mental health assessments, suggesting that further review is necessary.
Nottinghamshire Police, in response to inquiries, indicated that comments would be withheld until the review is conducted and its findings reported.
The case underscores the critical importance of thorough and meticulous investigations to ensure justice and public confidence in legal proceedings.
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