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Open verdict at Menezes inquest Open verdict at Menezes inquest
(about 1 hour later)
The jury has returned an open verdict at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, whom police mistook for a suicide bomber.The jury has returned an open verdict at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, whom police mistook for a suicide bomber.
It rejected the police account Mr de Menezes was killed lawfully by two officers who shot him seven times at Stockwell Tube in south London.It rejected the police account Mr de Menezes was killed lawfully by two officers who shot him seven times at Stockwell Tube in south London.
His mother, Maria Otone de Menezes, said she was very happy and felt "reborn" after hearing the verdict.His mother, Maria Otone de Menezes, said she was very happy and felt "reborn" after hearing the verdict.
The Metropolitan Police said the Brazilian's death was a tragic mistake.The Metropolitan Police said the Brazilian's death was a tragic mistake.
The jury were given the choice of two possible verdicts, but chose to reject the option that Mr Menezes was killed lawfully by the police. After the verdict was announced the de Menezes family lawyer called for officers to be investigated for perjury.
The inquest jury was given the choice of two possible verdicts, but chose to reject the option that Mr Menezes was killed lawfully by the police.
Earlier in the inquest the jury was instructed not to return a verdict of unlawful killing.
'No suspicious behaviour''No suspicious behaviour'
Earlier in the inquest they were instructed not to return a verdict of unlawful killing.
The 10 jury members were asked 12 specific questions about whether or not a series of events on 22 July 2005 contributed to the 27-year-old's death.The 10 jury members were asked 12 specific questions about whether or not a series of events on 22 July 2005 contributed to the 27-year-old's death.
After a week of deliberations, a majority of eight to two returned an open verdict and said they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire.After a week of deliberations, a majority of eight to two returned an open verdict and said they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire.
What we have learnt from the accounts of the tragic events that day reminds us all of the extremely demanding circumstances under which the police work to protect us Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7761652.stm">Jury's verdict explained What we have learnt from the accounts of the tragic events that day reminds us all of the extremely demanding circumstances under which the police work to protect us Jacqui SmithHome Secretary
They said they believed Mr de Menezes had stood up from his seat before being shot. However they did not believe he had moved towards the first officer to open fire.They said they believed Mr de Menezes had stood up from his seat before being shot. However they did not believe he had moved towards the first officer to open fire.
They also rejected that Mr de Menezes' innocent behaviour had increased suspicions.They also rejected that Mr de Menezes' innocent behaviour had increased suspicions.
Following the verdict, the Acting Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said Mr de Menezes' death had been a "most terrible mistake", which he "deeply regretted". Mrs de Menezes said in a message sent from her home in Brazil: "I am very happy with the verdict. Since the moment the coroner ruled out unlawful killing, I was feeling very sad. But today I feel reborn."
Following the verdict, the Acting Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said Mr de Menezes' death had been a "most terrible mistake", which he "deeply regretted".
"He was an innocent man and we must accept full responsibility for his death," he said."He was an innocent man and we must accept full responsibility for his death," he said.
He said the force now had to "learn from events to minimise the chances of this ever happening again".He said the force now had to "learn from events to minimise the chances of this ever happening again".
Prosecution call
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said his death was "a profoundly shocking tragedy".Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said his death was "a profoundly shocking tragedy".
"What we have learnt from the accounts of the tragic events that day reminds us all of the extremely demanding circumstances under which the police work to protect us from further terrorist attack," she added."What we have learnt from the accounts of the tragic events that day reminds us all of the extremely demanding circumstances under which the police work to protect us from further terrorist attack," she added.
Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead on a Tube train Coroner Sir Michael Wright, who presided over the three-month-long inquest held at the Oval Cricket Ground in London, said the facts did not justify allowing the jury to consider an unlawful killing. Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead on a Tube train at Stockwell
Coroner Sir Michael Wright, who presided over the three-month-long inquest held at the Oval Cricket Ground in London, said the facts did not justify allowing the jury to consider an unlawful killing.
Throughout the inquest, Metropolitan Police officers told the hearings they honestly believed the Brazilian was one of the four failed bombers who attempted to strike London on 21 July 2005.Throughout the inquest, Metropolitan Police officers told the hearings they honestly believed the Brazilian was one of the four failed bombers who attempted to strike London on 21 July 2005.
But Mr de Menezes' family and supporters challenged this version of events.But Mr de Menezes' family and supporters challenged this version of events.
They said they wanted answers to why surveillance officers could not identify the man they were following - and why two specialist officers shot the electrician at close range.They said they wanted answers to why surveillance officers could not identify the man they were following - and why two specialist officers shot the electrician at close range.
De Menezes family lawyer Harriet Wistrich said the police officers who claimed to have shouted warnings before firing should be investigated for possible perjury.
"There was certainly evidence of perjury by certain officers and the CPS should look at it again at this stage and I am sure they will," she said.
The Crown Prosecution Service, which decided in 2006 that no police officers should face criminal prosecution over the killing, said it would "consider the verdicts and any fresh evidence very carefully and decide whether we need to review our decision".
Split-second decisionsSplit-second decisions
Speaking after the verdict, Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the verdict marked the end of "a long and traumatic inquiry" for the de Menezes family and the police officers involved.Speaking after the verdict, Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the verdict marked the end of "a long and traumatic inquiry" for the de Menezes family and the police officers involved.
He said a "huge responsibility" was placed on firearms officers who were expected to make split-second life and death decisions.He said a "huge responsibility" was placed on firearms officers who were expected to make split-second life and death decisions.
THE JURY'S KEY ANSWERS Did officers shout armed police? NO Did Mr de Menezes move towards officers? NODid difficulty in identifying the man under surveillance lead to his death? NODid the behaviour of Mr de Menezes increasing suspicion among officers lead to his death? NO Jury's verdict explained
"The officers involved in this incident believed their actions were proportionate and necessary from the information available to them at the time."The officers involved in this incident believed their actions were proportionate and necessary from the information available to them at the time.
"They put their lives at serious risk on behalf of the community they serve," he added."They put their lives at serious risk on behalf of the community they serve," he added.
He said it should be remembered there was an unprecedented level of threat at that time.He said it should be remembered there was an unprecedented level of threat at that time.
"No-one has lost sight of the fact that a young man has lost his life, or that we need to ensure lessons are learned and safeguards put in place to protect police officers and the public they serve," he added."No-one has lost sight of the fact that a young man has lost his life, or that we need to ensure lessons are learned and safeguards put in place to protect police officers and the public they serve," he added.
Jenny Jones, a Green Party member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, called for a public inquiry.Jenny Jones, a Green Party member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, called for a public inquiry.
IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick described Mr de Menezes' death as "truly shocking". Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) chairman Nick Hardwick described Mr de Menezes' death as "truly shocking".
"We now know there was nothing in his actions which justified his fate. He had no opportunity to defend himself or protest his innocence.""We now know there was nothing in his actions which justified his fate. He had no opportunity to defend himself or protest his innocence."
He added the inquest had highlighted once again that police needed to make operational changes.He added the inquest had highlighted once again that police needed to make operational changes.
Case reviewCase review
The de Menezes family have called on the Crown Prosecution Service to re-examine the case to see whether a criminal prosecution can be brought.The de Menezes family have called on the Crown Prosecution Service to re-examine the case to see whether a criminal prosecution can be brought.
They are also asking the IPCC to review their inquiry into the death in respect of disciplinary action against police officers and are calling on the Home Secretary to suspend the shoot-to-kill policy. They are also asking the IPCC to review their inquiry into the death in respect of disciplinary action against police officers and are calling on the home secretary to suspend the shoot-to-kill policy.
They plan to apply for judicial review of the coroner's decision not to offer the jury the option of returning a verdict of unlawful killing.They plan to apply for judicial review of the coroner's decision not to offer the jury the option of returning a verdict of unlawful killing.
The coroner is to write to the Acting Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police Authority to raise issues over police practices. The coroner is to write to the acting Met Commissioner, the home secretary and the Metropolitan Police Authority to raise issues over police practices.