Criminal Defence

David Phillips and Partners criminal solicitors identified and helped prove that the defendant in a murder case acted with diminished responsibility due to her psychological problems, reducing a murder charge to manslaughter.

M was accused of murder after she killed her boyfriend following a violent disagreement.

David Phillips and Partners’ criminal solicitors identified the psychological issue from an early stage and investigated whether M should plead guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. To justify such a plea to the satisfaction of the court and the prosecutor, we obtained expert evidence from a very early stage.

The experts identified M’s troubled past and congenital brain disorders as crucial factors. These, when combined with complex psychological problems, resulted in M suffering with split personalities which led to violent episodes. While suffering one of these episodes she lashed out and killed her boyfriend.

David Phillips and Partners’ criminal lawyers presented the prosecution and the court with sufficient evidence that the right verdict of manslaughter together with a Hospital Order was given.