Crown chief: I’ve not ruled out charges over Sheku and Lamara
Proceedings still on cards in M9 double tragedy and custody death cases
CRIMINAL charges could still be brought over two notorious tragedies in which police actions were questioned, it was revealed yesterday.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe told MSPs that prosecutors were still considering whether to bring proceedings over the custody death of Sheku Bayoh and the M9 crash deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell.
Wolffe made the statement after Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie asked when fatal accident inquiries would be held into the deaths.
Lamara, 25, lay next to the body of John, 28, for three days in July 2015 as police failed to find their wrecked car – despite the crash near Stirling being reported by a passer-by.
She died in hospital four days after being found.
Two months earlier, gas engineer Sheku, 31, died after being restrained by police in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
He was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.
Wolffe said: “The separate investigations by the Crown into each of these two incidents are continuing under the direction of a senior advocate depute.
“Whilst considerable progress has been made, further work requires to be completed before a fully informed decision can be made about potential criminal proceedings.
“That decision has to be taken before the timing of the fatal accident inquiry can be considered.”
Rennie said: “That’s two-and-a-half years that the families and the police officers have been waiting for an inquiry and for answers, and I am genuinely concerned for their welfare.”
Wolffe said the Crown Office kept in contact with the families of those who had died.
He added both cases are complex and he had to ensure investigations were undertaken “thoroughly”.