Valdo Calocane was given a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after stabbing Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates to death.
The CPS decision to accept the manslaughter pleas of the Nottingham attacker who killed three people is to be examined in an independent review.
The review will look into the decision to accept Valdo Calocane’s guilty pleas to manslaughter and whether it sufficiently consulted with the families of the victims.
Last week, Calocane was given a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after the city’s crown court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
The 32-year-old stabbed students Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, with a dagger in the early hours of 13 June last year.
Mr Webber’s family described the hospital order as a “huge insult” and called for a public inquiry into the case.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Victoria Prentis said: “The senseless deaths of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates have horrified the country.
“While nothing will bring their loved ones back, the families understandably 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 so we can properly investigate the concerns raised by the families in this devastating case.”
Ms Prentis is also considering whether judges should review the sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.
Nottingham attack: ‘Our children were failed’
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‘We will get answers’
Earlier, Rishi Sunak said independent investigations have been set up into Nottingham institutions’ role in alleged missed opportunities to stop Calocane.
It came a day after a meeting with the families of Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar in Downing Street.
Mr Sunak said the NHS, police forces and CPS will all be looked at “promptly and thoroughly and effectively” to try and get answers for the families.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning the prime minister said: “What I said to them (the victims’ relatives) is that we will get the answers. That’s what they deserve. That’s what I’ve committed to.
“Once we hear back from that, then we can sit down with them and decide if there are more questions that need answering, is the inquiry then the next logical step?”
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Concerns arose after it emerged an arrest warrant had been issued for Calocane months before the killings.
Leicestershire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and leaders at Nottinghamshire Police have met with Policing Minister Chris Philp.
The findings of the review are expected by Easter. A CPS spokesperson said they will “fully engage” with the process.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
