A man who confessed to killing his girlfriend in 2014 has finally pleaded guilty to manslaughter 12 years later after receiving mental health treatment. Ozekell Empire, now 42, was heard shouting 'I've killed her' outside his Nechells maisonette before 23-year-old Andrea Carr was found dead in December 2014. He told police he had 'done it with my bare hands'.
Mental health background
Empire was unable to stand trial in 2016 due to his long-standing paranoid schizophrenia, which was first diagnosed in 2004. Birmingham Crown Court heard his condition was 'exacerbated by excessive use of cannabis on a regular basis'. The court was told Empire's mental health deteriorated after his antipsychotic medication Clozapine was stopped in November 2014 when he refused required blood tests. Prosecutor Talbir Singh KC said Empire was 'incoherent and gibbering' when arrested.
Treatment and progress
Empire has been treated at Birmingham's Tamarind Centre mental health facility where he has made 'slow progress' over 12 years. Dr Tom Clark, consultant forensic psychiatrist, said there were 'no plans' to release him from hospital at this stage. Judge Heidi Kubik KC will conclude Empire's sentencing on Monday.
