Harry Dunn
Lawyers acting on behalf of the alleged murderer of Harry Dunn have stated that their employment status was “never relevant” to their diplomatic immunity.
In a statement released Wednesday, Anne Sacoolas’ legal team said the words of a judge’s ruling that the civil damages claim against her remains in the US “will have no effect or affect the immunity asserted on her behalf”.
An earlier hearing in a court in the eastern district of Virginia was told that their work in the secret service was “especially a factor” in their departure and that the Sacoolas family had “fled” the UK on “security issues”.
Anne Sacoolas has admitted driving on the wrong side of the road for 20 seconds before Harry Dunn (Steve Parsons / PA) was killed.
In the statement, the 43-year-old’s lawyers also said they were open to “mediation” to find a way forward with Mr. Dunn’s family.
The 19-year-old was killed when a car crashed into his motorcycle outside the RAF Croughton U.S. military base in Northamptonshire in August 2019.
The US State Department asserted diplomatic immunity on Sacoola’s behalf and she was then able to leave the UK.
She was accused of causing Mr. Dunn’s death by dangerous driving and has since admitted to driving on the wrong side of the road for 20 seconds prior to the accident.
An extradition request submitted by the Home Office was denied by the US State Department in January last year.
Anne Sacoolas’ attorneys have said they are open to “mediation” to find a way for Harry Dunn’s family (Aaron Chown, PA).
Mr. Dunn’s family said they were “very pleased” with the “strong indication” that Sacoolas was ready to find a way forward. Her spokesman urged the suspect’s legal team and the CPS to “act as urgently as possible.”
On Tuesday Judge Thomas Ellis ruled that the civil lawsuit against her should remain in the US, adding, “Although it is commendable that the Defendant Anne Sacoolas admits that she was negligent and that her negligence caused Harry Dunn’s death , this does not mean that she will accept responsibility.
“Taking full responsibility means facing those who have been harmed by their negligence and taking responsibility for their actions in the UK, where they took place.”
In response to the verdict in a statement, Sacoolas attorneys responded: “Judge Ellis’ judgment in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia was issued in a civil case filed by Harry Dunn’s family seeking monetary damages.
“The ruling does not affect Anne Sacoolas’ diplomatic immunity.
In a landmark ruling by the U.S. District Court in Virginia, Judge Ellis has decided to allow # HarryDunn’s parents to go ahead with Mr. and Mrs. Sacoolas. A judgment for common sense and there are no more important words in the judgment than these? pic.twitter.com/b0lho8hts3
– Radd Seiger (@RaddSeiger), February 16, 2021
“Anne Sacoolas’ employment status was never relevant to her diplomatic immunity, which was based on her husband’s status as an accredited diplomat.
“The US and UK governments both concluded that Ms. Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity due to her husband’s role at the US embassy, and the UK High Court of Justice upheld this conclusion in its November 2020 decision.”
About finding a solution to the case, the lawyers said, “As Anne has repeatedly said, she is devastated by this tragic accident and would do anything to bring Harry back.
“She has always expressed her deepest condolences to the family and would very much like to find a way forward and bring the family a degree of peace and closure.
“Anne and her personal attorney, Amy Jeffress, remain ready to discuss options, including mediation, to find a path to resolution.”
Radd Seiger, spokesman for the Dunn family, responded to the attorneys’ testimony to the PA news agency: “We are delighted to have received a strong suggestion from Ms. Sacoolas and her personal lawyer this afternoon that they are ready to discuss options around one find way forward.
“I would like to urge Ms. Jeffress and the prosecution to look into each other as urgently as possible, and the parents and I are more than happy to have these conversations if necessary.
“We are sure that once a satisfactory solution is found, both families can make the path to recovery.”