Review into triple killer’s plea
THE decision to allow triple killer Valdo Calocane to evade a murder trial and plead guilty to manslaughter is to be scrutinised by an independent review of the Crown Prosecution Service’s handling of the case.
The probe will also examine whether the relatives of his victims were adequately consulted prior to accepting the lesser charge.
Calocane stabbed to death students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, as well as school caretaker Ian Coates, last June.
The investigation will examine the CPS decision to accept the killer’s guilty pleas to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and whether the CPS met its duties to consult with families ahead of accepting pleas.
Announcing the probe yesterday Attorney General
Victoria Prentis said: “While nothing will bring their loved ones back, the families want to understand what happened in this case. That’s why I have asked the inspectorate to carry out a prompt and thorough review of CPS actions.” Ms Prentis, inset, is also considering whether judges should review his hospital order sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.
The families said in a statement: “We reiterate our deep and grave concerns in this case and our disappointment that we have had to resort to this additional level of trauma and stress to feel listened to and for further actions to be taken.
“The families welcome a full, open and transparent investigation and also ask that they are given the opportunity to discuss the concerns and evidence of concerns that they have with the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the attorney general.”
Knife killer…Calocane, right, pleaded guilty to manslaughter