Benjamin Newton KC’s client found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
On 16th June 2023 SS, a man of good character, had stabbed his flatmate to death, telling the police after his arrest that the deceased was "pure evil" and had been using mind control against him and trying to make his heartbeat drop and render him unconscious so that he could be made a slave. He later told a psychiatrist “I did not think it was a crime, I thought I was saving the world”. Following a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder SS advanced the alternative defences of insanity and diminished responsibility, and at the conclusion of a six-day trial was unanimously found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Benjamin Newton KC led Sean Caulfield, and was instructed by Kerry Spence, both of Hodge Jones and Allen.