CPS failure to prosecute for the death of 13 year-old Christopher Kapessa before the High Court on Thursday 13 January 2022.
The high court hearing into the killing of young black schoolchild, Christopher Kapesa, and the subsequent decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to charge the suspect despite overwhelming evidence of a homicide of manslaughter will take place this week on Thursday 13 January 2022. The hearing will start at 10am. The venue is the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL. (Please note that given COVID restrictions, the hearing format is hybrid combining both online and physical attendance, although space is limited.)
Christopher’s mother, Alina Joseph, used her Victims’ Right to Review to appeal the decision, however the CPS maintained its position and refused to prosecute the suspect.
An application for a judicial review was initially lodged on 20th October 2020, by Christopher’s mother, Ms. Alina Joseph.
In June 2021, the High Court granted permission to challenge the CPS decision on a number of grounds including that it may have “failed to properly value human life and the harm caused by the offence”.
Christopher’s case has raised important legal and social policy issues.
Alina Joseph, stated:
“My family and I have spent over 30 months seeking justice for what happened to Christopher. So many of our questions are still unanswered. My son’s life matters. It cannot be taken without consequence. I think of Christopher every single day. I know that this case will not bring him back but I have to seek justice for my family, for my son.”
Alina Joseph is represented by Daniel Cooper at Imran Khan and Partners, Michael Mansfield QC at Nexus Chambers, and Philip Rule at No5 Chambers.
Daniel Cooper can be contacted via DanielC@ikpsolicitors.com or 020 7404 3004.
For further information on the family campaign, contact Suresh Grover (M: 07816 3091 706) or Dorothea Jones. T: 020 7582 7438 and follow the Justice for Christopher Kapessa campaign on twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Dorothea Jones coordinates the socials.