Hackney, England — The mother of a young woman who was killed by her boyfriend expressed feelings of profound betrayal by the justice system following a court’s decision to issue a hospital order for manslaughter instead of a murder conviction. Linda Westcarr’s daughter, 25-year-old Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, was strangled by 28-year-old Gogoa Lois Tape in April 2022.
Tape, after committing the act, drove around with Westcarr-Sabaroche’s body before eventually confessing to his brother. Initially charged with murder, Tape accepted a plea deal for manslaughter based on claims of diminished responsibility, a decision that has sparked outrage among the victim’s family and supporters.
During the sentencing at Inner London Crown Court, approximately 40 relatives and friends were present, with some leaving the courtroom when statements from Tape’s family described him as loving, a portrayal starkly contrasting with the violence he inflicted. Judge Freya Newbery imposed a hospital order under the Mental Health Act that allows for Tape’s indefinite detention due to his condition, which she characterized as including “undiagnosed schizophrenia” that impaired his judgment.
Following the hearing, Linda Westcarr voiced her devastation over the ruling. “While I acknowledge the seriousness of mental health issues, I firmly believe that true justice has not been served,” she said. Westcarr criticized the system for its lack of communication with the victim’s family, stating, “We have felt like we are being dictated to rather than consulted.”
The family is now demanding an urgent review of the sentence, requesting meetings with top officials, including the Prime Minister and other key figures in the justice system, in hopes of addressing what they see as systemic failures.
In a related public outcry, Emma Webber, whose son was tragically killed earlier this year, showed her solidarity with Westcarr’s family, expressing her outrage at the leniency shown to perpetrators of such violent acts. “I stand with Kennedi’s family, not just in shared grief, but in shared anger,” she said.
Advocacy groups are also calling for reform in how manslaughter cases involving mental health are handled. Julian Hendy, director of a charity that supports families affected by mental health issues, noted that individuals sentenced to hospital orders may return to the community in a matter of years. He emphasized the need for a clearer and more just process for dealing with such serious offenses.
Calls for a re-examination of the legal framework governing homicide charges are intensifying, with suggestions for a three-tier system that separates murder and manslaughter more distinctly. These reforms could help ensure that justice is not just a matter of legal definitions but also a reflection of societal values regarding accountability and safety.
As public sentiments grow, advocates for the victim’s family continue to highlight the need for systemic change, underscoring that lives lost to violence must not be forgotten in legal proceedings.