Updated: February 12, 2022 08:18
Henry Santucci (File photo)
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the detention in a psychiatric hospital in Great Britain of a man who killed a grandfather.
David Grant pleaded guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of Henry Santucci in May 2020 on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Acting Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe said in sentencing that Bermuda “must do better” in treating offenders suffering from mental health problems.
Santucci, 60, was stabbed to death on May 16, 2020, in Pembroke.
The court heard that Grant, whom Wolffe accepted as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, attacked him on Princess Street in Pembroke.
Kentisha Tweed, for the Crown, said Mr Santucci staggered and fell onto the road.
He added that Grant “calmly” walked over to where Mr. Santucci lay face down and stabbed him.
Santucci was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead.
Grant, 54, of Pembroke, was later arrested.
A victim impact statement from Debrina Howe, Mr. Santucci’s daughter, was read in court by Ms. Tweed.
The statement revealed how the Covid-19 pandemic compounded Ms Howe’s grief and that she felt “robbed” of her last time with her father.
Ms Howe’s statement explained how she was affected by her father’s death, which she realized had begun to affect her daily life.
She said she signed up for counseling and has since made progress.
But Mrs Howe added: “I will never be able to see, touch or hear my father again.”
Ms. Howe asked what was being done “as an island” to protect and treat people with mental health conditions and prevent violent crime.
A victim impact statement from Mr. Santucci’s son, also Henry Santucci, noted that the victim’s grandchildren “will never be able to have a real relationship” with him.
Elizabeth Christopher, Grant’s attorney, said he had long struggled with mental illness and received help in the area where he lived with his mother.
He added that his family had always supported him.
Grant apologized to Mr. Santucci’s family.
He added: “It was not my intention to commit this act against them.
“I would like to also apologize to my family for being an embarrassment.”
Grant apologized to the court and the rest of the island “for being a threat to society.”
Acting Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe (File photo by Akil Simmons)
Judge Wolffe told the court that Ms Howe “in the midst of her suffering, was able to articulate profound insight” into the case.
He said: “She is absolutely right that we as a community need to do better in how we treat those who are suffering from mental health issues and who are also committing crimes.”
Judge Wolffe said he suspected more people like Grant might be “under the radar” but could commit serious crimes at any time.
He added that a specialized center should be considered where “this population” can be treated.
Judge Wolffe said the case was “a serious matter … punctuated by the fact that the defendant has prior crimes.”
He added that the most appropriate course was to authorize Grant’s hospital detention under the Mental Health Act.
The court heard that arrangements had been made with St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton, England.
Mrs Howe said after Grant was sentenced: “Although justice was served today, it does not bring my father back.
“Mr. Grant has another chance to make the right decisions this time.”
He added that he hoped Grant would “take the time to reflect.”
Ms Howe, a nurse at KEMH, said: “People with mental illness often tend to take on what society says about them, but he himself needs to find peace and get over those things.”
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