Dr Jeroen Ensink death: Widow denied legal aid for inquest
- Published
The widow of an academic stabbed to death by a man suffering from psychosis has been denied legal aid for an inquest into the killing.
Jeroen Ensink, 41, was killed outside his home in December 2015 by student Femi Nandap, 23, days after knife charges against Nandap were dropped.
An inquest into police, prosecutor and mental health authorities' actions leading up the killing has been set up.
Nadja Ensink-Teich said it is "unfair" she had been refused legal aid.
A crowdfunding page set up by Mrs Ensink-Teich raised thousands of pounds within hours of going online.
Dr Ensink was stabbed as he left his north London home to post cards announcing the birth of the couple's daughter, Fleur, 11 days earlier.
Nandap, of Woolwich, south-east London, was in a cannabis-induced psychotic rage when he stabbed Dr Ensink repeatedly in the chest and back until an off duty special constable intervened.
The Nigerian student, who came to Britain to take an African studies and economic development course, was given an indefinite hospital order for the killing.
He had been charged in May 2015 with possession of a 30-inch knife and assault of a police officer after he punched and bit an officer who was trying to arrest him.
The charges were later dropped because of insufficient evidence.
Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Ensink-Teich told reporters that the police, Crown Prosecution Service and "possibly other agencies have questions to answer".
She said: "I have been denied legal aid although both CPS and police are legally represented, the police by a QC. That is unfair.
"I want justice for Jeroen and answers for Fleur."
The inquest is expected to begin on 13 November.
- Published10 October 2016
- Published8 September 2016