Deaths by homicide following state failings

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Deaths by homicide following state failings

Deaths by homicide following state failings

We have experience acting for families whose loved ones were killed by someone known by state agencies to pose a risk to others, including dangerous offenders released from prison and subject to probation at the time of the death.

The inquest process can explore what was known about the risk posed by those individuals, who was responsible for managing that risk, and whether there were failures which caused or contributed to the death of your loved one.  This includes attacks against the general public as well as attacks against specific individuals, such as domestic homicides. 

Often the inquest will explore the role of state agencies, including the prison and probation service. 

Concerns are usually first identified in an independent report conducted by an agency or organisation, which highlights failures by the state to protect the general public or specific individuals from the risk posed by the perpetrator. These investigations often coincide with criminal proceedings, where the perpetrator has been convicted of murder or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.  

Benjamin Burrows, Partner in the Human Rights department, specialises in inquests and claims against public authorities including the prison and probation service. Benjamin is assisted by Ellie Sutherland, Associate in the Human Rights department, in several inquests involving failures in managing ex-offenders who were known to pose a risk to others. These cases raise similar issues as those arising out of the tragic Nottingham Stabbings and Southport attack, in which the team have considerable expertise. 

Examples of recent cases: 

Inquest into the deaths of James Furlong, Dr David Wails and Joseph R