Guilty verdicts in quadruple murder trial

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has found Joshua Jacques, aged 29, guilty on four counts of murder.  He had stabbed to death members of three generations from the same family.  His case was that he was guilty only of manslaughter, by reason of diminished responsibility.  Two psychiatrists were called on his behalf, who suggested the killings could be explained by his experiencing a relapse of bipolar type 1 disorder with psychotic symptoms, albeit exacerbated by cannabis use, which would amount to a recognised medical condition for the purposes of section 2 of the Homicide Act 1957.  The prosecution called a psychiatrist who concluded that the accused had experienced cannabis-induced psychosis, not a recognised medical condition in law, and exhibited anti-social personality traits.  Clearly, the jury were not satisfied that the partial defence of diminished responsibility applied.

Sentencing was adjourned to 9 February 2024.

Julia Faure Walker, acting for the prosecution, was led by Tom Little KC of Deka Chambers and instructed by CPS Homicide.

Media links: BBC News | Independent | Evening Standard