Man falsely accused of sex attack hangs himself after police fail to tell him case had been dropped

Daily Mail ^ | 16th April 2010 | Daily Mail Reporter

[Christian Cage]

A man who was falsely accused of sexual assault hanged himself after police failed to tell him they had dropped the case, an inquest heard.

John Keogh, 23, was ‘very upset and angry’ after a hospital patient claimed he had indecently assaulted her.

An investigation was launched but police decided to drop the case and withdraw all charges after interviewing him.

However, officers did not plan to tell Mr Keogh – who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia when he was 18 - until four days later – by which time, he had hanged himself with a pair of shoelaces.

His family believe he would not have killed himself if police had told him that he was no longer a suspect.

At jury inquest held in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, which returned a narrative verdict, the delay was described as a ‘contributing factor’ to Mr Keogh’s death.

The chair juror said: ‘He took his life by hanging, however, we feel that a failure to recognise the risk of this happening to him, particularly subsequent to the police interview may have been a contributing factor.’

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Keogh’s brother, Christopher, 34, from Trowbridge, slammed police as ‘negligent’.

He said: ‘There was a lot of crying down the phone about what had been allegedly done. He was crying that he didn't do anything. He was very angry.

‘There should have been more communication between the police and mental health partnership.

‘The system just failed him. They were negligent. If John had been told the allegations had been dropped I don't think we would be here today.

[JDW11235]

Spot on. In days past, people had evidence, were accused, had a quick and speedy trial, and were vindicated or convicted. Not so today. There is a big flair and cry when someone is arrested, and absolutely NOTHING when “released” or charges dropped.

I think that loser pays should apply in criminal court, not just civil court. The state can ruin everything you have, and drain your resources, without even an “I’m sorry.”

Sad times we live in. Oh, the the penalty for bearing false witness was death. It’d go a long way now, but even as a felony is not prosecuted. But the State’s goal is not justice, but to make criminals of everyone for easy population control.

[cmj328]

Things were crazy back then. One college required its students to fill out intention disclosure and consent forms prior to dating.

[verity]

I have just read about paranoid schizophrenia on the Mayo clinic web site. This man was a walking time bomb simply waiting to detonate.

Very sad.