Haddon, R v

Haddon, R v

Had the jury been presented with the new psychiatric evidence, they would likely have found the appellant guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility rather than murder; thus, the murder conviction is quashed and a verdict of manslaughter is entered.

Parties
Prosecutor: Regina; Appellant: Robert Allan Haddon
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 January 2003
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Reference by Criminal Cases Review Commission; Appeal Against Conviction
Outcome
murder conviction quashed; verdict of manslaughter by diminished responsibility entered; sentence adjourned
Legal Topics
Murder, Manslaughter, Diminished Responsibility, Personality Disorder, Psychiatric Evidence, Criminal Appeal Act 1995, Mental Health Act 1983
Criminal Law Mental Health Law Murder Manslaughter Diminished Responsibility Personality Disorder Psychiatric Evidence Criminal Appeal Act 1995 +1 more

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Parties

Regina

Prosecutor

Robert Allan Haddon

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Reference by Criminal Cases Review Commission; Appeal Against Conviction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether new psychiatric evidence establishes diminished responsibility at the time of the offence
  2. 2 Whether the conviction for murder should be quashed and substituted with manslaughter

Ratio Decidendi

Had the jury been presented with the new psychiatric evidence, they would likely have found the appellant guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility rather than murder; thus, the murder conviction is quashed and a verdict of manslaughter is entered.

Court Disposition

murder conviction quashed; verdict of manslaughter by diminished responsibility entered; sentence adjourned

Orders

  • Murder conviction quashed
  • Verdict of manslaughter by diminished responsibility entered