Jo Cox murder trial informed prosecutors of Sir David Amess’s killer – DPP

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The prosecution of MP Jo Cox’s killer helped bring a “strong case” when tragedy struck for a second time, Max Hill QC has said. “And we reflect on the fact that this is the second time in five years that we’ve seen such an attack at the heart of our democracy, although I do want to emphasise these cases are extremely rare.” The experience of prosecuting Thomas Mair for Ms Cox’s murder in November 2016 proved useful in preparing the case against Ali Harbi Ali six years later. “By definition, any previous experience of a similar case is going to help both investigators and prosecutors when building a strong case in court.” In his first court appearance, Mair’s extremist views were clear when he stated: “My name is death to traitors, freedom for Britain.” And, on his arrest, Ali calmly described to police his long-running plot to kill Government minister Michael Gove before launching his frenzied attack on Sir David, whom he regarded as an easier target. “We can never control what a defendant may say, at the start, middle or end of the investigation process.” open image in gallery Veteran Conservative MP Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex Ms Cox’s killer was simply charged with her murder, but in Ali’s case a terrorism offence was included to reflect his long-running plot to target an MP.