Try Not to Be Shocked.

Remember that man who was killed by a police officer at the G20 London protests?

Well today, 16 months later, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have announced their decision whether to prosecute the police officer or not. They've decided not to prosecute.

There were three possible offences that the officer could have been charged with;

1.Manslaughter. Causing death by action but without the intent to kill.

2. Actual Bodily Harm. Causing actual physical harm to someones body through action and intent.

3. Common Assault. Making physical contact that doesn't cause harm but has no lawful excuse.

The CPS felt they were unable to pursue offences 1 and 2 due a difference in medical opinion making it difficult to prove a causal link. The difference of opinion is Dr Freddie Patel's initial autopsy findings against the findings of the subsequent two autopsies and the opinion of every other pathologist in the world. The fact that Dr Patel suspended pending a hearing into his competence means that the defence would struggle to have his autopsy report entered into evidence.

The CPS felt unable to pursue the thrid offence because Common Assault has a six month statute of limitations on it. The fact that it has taken the CPS 16 months to reach a decision means that the offence has timed out.

You would probably expect this to make angry. Unfortuantly the cover up is so blatant I think the Brits are only announcing it today in a deliberate attempt to make themselves look bad.