Lawyers for Francesco Mangione, the man accused of murdering a prominent businessman in a dispute over a property development, have abruptly reversed their position on the use of a psychiatric defence. The decision, announced in a brief court filing on Tuesday, removes what was expected to be the central pillar of the defence case when the trial begins next month.
The reversal came without explanation from defence counsel. In a one-page submission to the Central Criminal Court, lead barrister Helena Cross stated simply that “the defendant will not be pursuing a defence of diminished responsibility or any other psychiatric defence”. The filing did not elaborate on the reasoning behind the change.
Mangione, 42, stands accused of the murder of Charles De Vere, a 58-year-old property developer, outside his London office in September 2023. Prosecutors allege that Mangione, a former business partner of De Vere, shot him twice in the chest following a heated argument over a failed joint venture. Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
Until Tuesday, the defence had signalled that it would rely heavily on expert psychiatric testimony to argue that Mangione was suffering from a severe depressive episode at the time of the killing, which impaired his ability to form the specific intent required for murder. Two independent psychiatrists had been instructed to prepare reports, and the court had granted an extension to allow for additional assessments.
Legal analysts said the sudden abandonment of the psychiatric line was highly unusual, particularly so close to trial. “This is a significant strategic shift,” said Dr. Alice Thornton, a professor of criminal law at King’s College London. “The defence had built its case around diminished responsibility. To drop it now suggests either that the psychiatric evidence was not as strong as hoped, or that new information has come to light that undermines the defence.”
One possibility is that the prosecution’s own expert reports, disclosed recently, may have cast doubt on the severity of Mangione’s mental state. Another is that Mangione himself may have vetoed the defence after discussions with his legal team. Under English law, a defendant cannot be forced to rely on a psychiatric defence if they do not wish to.
The development places the defence in a difficult position. Without the psychiatric argument, the prosecution’s case appears strong. Witnesses have described Mangione leaving the scene with the gun still in his hand. Forensic evidence links the weapon to Mangione, and financial records show the two men had been locked in a bitter dispute over millions of pounds.
The trial is scheduled to begin on 3 March. Jury selection is expected to take two days. Mangione remains in custody at Belmarsh Prison.
The Director of Public Prosecutions declined to comment on the change of plea strategy, citing the ongoing proceedings.
