Diana inquest jury delivers unlawful killing verdict
The jury in the Diana, Princess of Wales inquest today returned a verdict of unlawful killing through negligent driving by Henri Paul in the Mercedes and the vehicles of the paparazzi.
They singled out Henri Paul’s drink driving as a contributory factor for the crash in the Alma Tunnel in Paris in which she and Dodi Fayed were killed on August 31, 1997.
They were being followed by paparazzi after leaving the Ritz Hotel, and a large amount of evidence centred on how closely they had followed the Mercedes in the minutes before the crash.
At last the focus of the blame is being turned from the outrageously improbable conspiracy theories to the real culprits : the Ritz Hotel’s security arrangements and the chasing pack of photographers who appear to have had Henri Paul in their pockets.
All this has been clear since the French magistrate’s meticulous report many years ago.
An interesting point arising is that the verdict clashes with that of the Paget Report by Scotland Yard, which concluded it was “a tragic accident”. The jury has defined culpability here and that has not pleased Mohamed Fayed whose representatives still maintain his blame-deflecting case.
This verdict leaves him open to private prosecutions for what the jury calls “gross negligence”.
Thanks for the report, John. I’m glad this is finally over, and I’m sure Prince William and Prince Harry are, too.
By Evelyn on April 7th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
lets hope this puts the whole thing to rest so diana can finally rest in peace. am sure william and harry are glad its over as well
By coni on April 7th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I want to know just who takes responsibility?
By Trudie on April 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I am assuming that the term “unlawful killing” is a polite way of saying “negligent homicide,” John. It is a relief to have the matter settled once and for all.
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
This is not over yet. Fayed is in a tight spot now if anyone he’s accused decides to have go at him legally. Remember, he also accused Tony Blair and hundreds of officials of being involved in the conspiracy.
Personally, I hope they all drop it now. This is the stuff of people’s souls and shouldn’t be hung out like washing on a line.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Trudie, Fayed takes responsibility. It was his operation that killed three people, hence the frantic defence over 10 years.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Gigi, “negligent homicide” on the part of The Ritz management, but “manslaughter” by the paparazzi.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
The problem is they are both intertwined.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
If the verdict of the Coroner’s Inquest holds, and I assume it will, then Henri Paul, as an adult and as a professional chauffeur, is responsible, because he chose to drink to excess and chose to drive the car while impaired, which he crashed, killing both Dodi al Fayed and Princess Diana. I feel better now that the French verdict of “tragic accident” has been clarified by the British court as an unlawful killing, because two people are dead who should not be dead. Someone is responsible for that, and now we know who that person is. I am grateful to the Coroner’s Inquest for their painstaking procedures which led to this conclusion.
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
John, I do not see how Fayed can be culpable. Henri Paul was not force fed alcohol to excess. He chose to drink. He may have been ordered to drive the car, but he could have declined to do so because he was impaired. I understand that Fayed has behaved badly, but by law I cannot see how he is culpable since Henri Paul is an adult.
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
It was his setup that led to the crash, Gigi. He apparently promised Diana world-class security, but the two bodyguards were overruled by Henri Paul, who was his Head of Security and seems to have been in the pay of the paparazzi who he spoke to on three occasions before driving off.
The fact that the paps refused to testify means it will be difficult to pin this on him, but the buck stops at the head honcho.
I doubt though there will be any actions against anyone. The dribble of conspiracy will probably continue in its absence.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
i believe since Henri Paul was in the Ritz employ that ultimately the Ritz is responsible..at least thats how it is here in California.
By coni on April 7th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
just saw a CNN poll showing public does not believe this will end speculation as to how diana died…
By coni on April 7th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Kes Wingfield, one of the two bodyguards, has just said he appealed for more security to Mohamed Fayed again and again, but was refused. He believes that if they had had sufficient bodies, Henri Paul would not have driven the car and the paps would have been given their pictures at the front entrance, which would have defused the situation.
He also said that Dodi claimed his father had given the okay for Paul to drive the car. It’s clear this was a shambles and Diana was completely let down. The jury’s verdict reflects that.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
The tragedy deepens, then. Princess Diana put her faith in her new associations, and they made promises which she accepted in good faith while they, conversely, betrayed her. I normally find CNN to be a less than credible source for news and polling data conclusions, but in this instance, they may very well be right. Many people will not accept the verdict of the Coroner’s Inquest. In a way, it is a great pity because closure is needed for everyone, not the Royal Family alone. Long before she died needlessly and too young, Princess Diana belonged to the world. World renown, great qualities, too early and tragic death often translates to a kind of immortality. People across the globe felt a personal connection with the Princess and for ten years have felt a personal injury and offense at her tragic death. Perhaps this is never going to go away, even if some legal remedy is found.
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Well this verdict overturns the Paget report and Stephens report that this was not just an unfortunate acccident but an unlawful death and here in the states manslaughter is just a lessor charge than murder.
By Trudie on April 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Manslaughter is second degree murder, i.e., without intent. In the US, it is difficult to convict a DWI-charged defendant of murder in the first degree, because rarely does a person driving under the influence intend to kill someone with his vehicle. I will say, however, that if anyone decides to proceed legally against al Fayed, the tesimony and legal discovery that has gone on during the Coroner’s Inquest will be just the tip of the iceberg compared to the intensive investigations during a trial. It will be like setting a pit bull loose, and the last man standing will be badly gored.
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Well, here, Trudie, manslaughter is negligent killing, which is not the same as premeditated murder. I’m sure that none of these people wanted to kill Diana or Dodi, but their selfish actions and unthinking decisions contributed to their deaths.
They will have to live with that for the rest of their lives.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
True, John. Unfortunately, so will the rest of us.
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
John, did anything come out in the hearing about the fact that neither Diana or Dodi were wearing seat belts, should not the bodyguard in the car with then require them to wear their seat belts. After all he was part of al Fayed’s decurity team.
What is the law about this in France.
It doesn’t change anything but I would just like to know.
By Royalist on April 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Yes, Royalist, it was mentioned as part of the gross negligence verdict.
By John on April 7th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
just saw on people magazine online where William and Harry made a statement bascially thanking the jury and everyone involved, etc.
By coni on April 7th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Excellent! Very appropriate!
By Gigi on April 7th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Not if you read the statement it doesn’t sound like William or Harry but just a standard Courtier press release from CH. I wonder what Earl Spencer has to say about all this considering he stayed away from the inquest but had plenty to say when she died.
By Trudie on April 7th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
i would imagine that it would come from the press office – dont think there is anything else for them to say really…but it will be interesting to see what earl spencer has to say – also, read that one of the spencer sisters was there (cant recall which) and she looked upset…whatever that means…i’d like to think this is finally put to rest but am afraid it will never be..aka jfk and marilyn monroe…
By coni on April 7th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I was a little surprised that the three Spencer siblings were not at the Inquest, but perhaps the details given in testimony would have been too graphic and upsetting for them. I do not believe any of them have entirely healed in the past ten years, but perhaps they have worked through the worst stages of the grieving process and did not want to open fresh wounds. It has been a dreadful ordeal for all concerned.
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 2:36 am
I believe Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Diana’s sister, was present for at least part of the inquest.
By Evelyn on April 8th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Trudie, Earl Spencer blamed the paparazzi after her death : “I always knew they would kill her in the end”. The jury confirmed his view. He must be pleased.
Sarah, Diana’s sister attended the inquest a lot, gave evidence, denied Fayed’s claim that she was involved in the plot, and left yesterday without commenting.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Think what you will about Earl Spencer, he certainly says what he thinks, and in public, too. I had not realized that Lady Sarah McCorquodale gave evidence at the inquest. That must have been very difficult for her, as well as listening to the testimony of others. Thank heaven we now have a verdict that is fair and impartial, based on thorough testimony. I am very grateful that the procedure was handled so splendidly and that the jury reached the conclusion that they did.
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Absolutely, Gigi, Trevor Rees (formerly Trevor Rees-Jones), who was the only survivor of the crash, says he agrees with the jury’s verdict. He also claims that attempts were made to get him to make false testimony to the various inquiries.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 3:33 pm