I’m hoping that our generous moderator allows this post for discussion.
Lessons for the UK could be ahead
It has happened in New Zealand. In a case described as “shrouded in secrecy,” a man in New Zealand has been found not guilty of murder by way of insanity twice after committing two separate homicides. The first killing occurred over two decades ago, during which he was ruled legally insane and designated a “special patient” under New Zealand’s Mental Health Act—a status reserved for individuals deemed a high risk to public safety due to severe mental illness. Man found not guilty of murder by way of insanity twice after two separate killings | RNZ News
Despite being subject to psychiatric oversight, the man committed a second homicide, reigniting legal proceedings. Courts once again determined he lacked the capacity to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the crime, resulting in another NGRI (not guilty by reason of insanity) verdict. Under New Zealand law, such rulings typically lead to indefinite detention in a secure psychiatric facility rather than prison, prioritising treatment over punishment. Similar legal considerations exist in the UK.
Responsibility for lessons not learned
What could be the relevance to the UK? ‘Who is the real patient here?’ - if the system is sick as is evidently the case for the last 20 years in the UK, then who is responsible for fixing it? The UK govt has repeatedly stated commitments to improving mental health systems and even injected cash. But the glaring failures keep coming in report after report, inquiry after inquiry. [See BMA REPORT (2024): “It’s broken” Doctors’ experiences on the frontline of a failing mental healthcare system
https://www.bma.org.uk/media/ddclsiii/bma-mental-health-report-2024-web-final.pdf]
The NHS has apparently been blamed. Well, if you’re asphyxiated by a noose around the neck would there be any wonder that you can’t run 25 yards? 
Perhaps we need to address the ‘asphyixiator’? Can we?
The failures of mental health systems in the UK, as highlighted by cases like that of Valdo Calocane, reflect broader systemic issues where inadequate care and socioeconomic neglect contribute to tragic outcomes. Valdo Calocane, who committed multiple homicides while under community mental health supervision, has reignited debates about whether current systems prioritise cost-cutting over safety. Similar concerns were raised in a 2025 SANE report, which criticized “failures of person-centred care” in mental health policies, arguing that restrictive practices and underfunding create environments where tragedies are more likely. See: SANE responds to independent mental health homicide investigation - SANE
The emerging story on the NZ case will be at Trouble in NZ: Homicide and Insanity twice - Investigative Psychiatry