The mother of a charitable worker who was fatally assaulted by her boyfriend, a cannabis user, expressed disappointment in the Attorney General for declining to appeal the boyfriend’s sentence. Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, 25, was tragically killed by her partner Gogoa Tape, 28, who then proceeded to drive around with her deceased body for two hours after the incident. Tape, who avoided jail time by pleading guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, was given an indefinite hospital order, with the possibility of release based on his mental health status.
Kennedi’s mother, Linda Westcarr, criticized the decision not to appeal Tape’s sentence, stating that a hospital order does not equate to true justice for her daughter’s brutal death. The family is advocating for justice reform to prevent similar tragedies and to ensure that victims’ voices are heard in the legal system. Linda Westcarr also reached out to the Prime Minister for a meeting to discuss their case and raise awareness about their struggles with the justice system.
Tape’s violent attack on Kennedi occurred after she expressed her desire to end their relationship, leading to a tragic outcome. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia and experiencing psychotic episodes, Tape’s culpability was considered low by the court due to his mental illness. However, critics argue that Tape’s mental health defense was not adequately scrutinized, raising concerns about the handling of domestic abuse cases in the criminal justice system.
Various advocates and organizations have voiced support for Kennedi’s family and called for a comprehensive review of the decision-making process in this case. The Attorney General’s office explained that the case did not meet the criteria for an appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, as the sentencing judge’s discretion was within the acceptable range for the offense.
The refusal to reconsider Tape’s sentence has sparked outrage among supporters of Kennedi’s family, who emphasize the need for systemic reforms to better protect victims of domestic violence and ensure accountability for perpetrators. The Solicitor General extended sympathies to the victim’s family and friends while standing by the decision not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.