Charity questions Sylvester ruling

Mental health charity Mind has expressed concern about a High Court
judge’s decision to refuse a second inquest into the death of a
mentally ill black man after quashing a verdict of unlawful
killing.

Roger Sylvester died in north London in 1999 after being restrained
by police. Mr Justice Collins said last week that the coroner had
misdirected the inquest jury in telling them they could consider an
unlawful killing verdict against the officers involved. He returned
an open verdict, adding that there was nothing to be gained from a
new inquest.

But Mind chief executive Richard Brook said that Sylvester’s family
deserved the opportunity to find out who was accountable.

Sylvester’s cousin, Justin Waldron, told Community Care:”Roger was
naked, handcuffed and restrained. This is not a way to treat
someone who is vulnerable.”