4 October 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

New report calls for more effective learning from death in custody inquests

provided by: INQUEST
published: 1 October 2012

A week after the appointment of the Chief Coroner, HHJ Peter Thornton, and at a time of renewed interest in the coronial system following the publication of the report of the Hillsborough panel, INQUEST launches a groundbreaking new report ‘Learning from Death in Custody Inquests: A New Framework for Action and Accountability’. The report highlights the serious flaws in the learning process following an inquest into a death in custody or following contact with state agents.

In the report INQUEST’s co-directors Deborah Coles and Helen Shaw argue that the absence of a mechanism to capture and act upon the rich seam of data available from well conducted and costly inquests leads to unnecessary further loss of life.

2 October 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Angola death row inmate who gave false confession released after 15 years

originally by: nola.com
published: 28 September 2012

A Marrero man who spent 15 years on Louisiana’s death row for his wrongful conviction of raping and strangling to death 14-year-old Crystal Champagne under the Huey P. Long Bridge in 1996 walked out of the Angola prison a free man Friday.

Damon Thibodeaux, 38, was cleared, attorneys announced, confirming what he has said since his arrest on July 20, 1996: He caved after nine hours of interrogation by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives and confessed to a crime he did not commit.

2 October 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Prison officers sentenced following death in custody

originally by: CPS
published: 27 September 2012

Married prison officers Shaun and Lisa Percy were today sentenced at Preston Crown Court following the death of a prisoner, Christopher Oldham, during the night of 21/22 April 2011 at HMP Preston. They each received 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, and were ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid work.

Neil Dalton, special crime lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“Shaun and Lisa Percy, who worked alongside each other as wardens at HMP Preston, had over 20 years’ experience in the Prison Service but wilfully neglected to carry out the duties required of them.