Judge criticises inquest ruling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.REASONS given by a coroner for deciding not to allow an inquest jury to consider a verdict of unlawful killing on the death of a prisoner were 'plainly wrong', a High Court judge said yesterday.
Mr Justice Jowitt gave Koto Diesa permission to challenge in the Divisional Court a ruling by Dr Douglas Chambers, the St Pancras coroner, to limit the jury's choice of verdicts in the case of his uncle, Omasase Lumumba, 32, a relative of the assassinated first prime minister of Zaire.
Mr Lumumba died in a strip cell at Pentonville prison, north London, on 8 October 1991, while awaiting a decision on his application for political asylum.
Dr Chambers told jurors they should consider only accident, misadventure or open verdicts. Unlawful killing was not an option because there was no evidence Mr Lumumba had been 'killed'.
The judge said it was for Dr Chambers to decide whether to rethink, or to wait for the Divisional Court to give its decision.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments