Dead boy's family say they will fight for 'justice'
Thursday, 18th January 2001.
THE family of a teenager who was stabbed to death may take on Britain's legal system in their battle for justice.
Pat Solt, 46, of Harewood Terrace, Haverhill, vowed to continue to "fight for justice" after Daniel Fernandez walked free from court when he was cleared of murder and manslaughter of her son Henry Solt, 17.
Mrs Solt collected more than 500 signatures in just four days on a petition she started in Haverhill
Home Secretary Jack Straw will be given the petition and asked what can be done to rectify what the family claim was a miscarriage of justice at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Henry was found dead near his home last June.
Mrs Solt said she would like to take out a private prosecution if legal aid was available but would not be able to afford to pay for it.
She and daughter Rachel Lathangue will continue circulating copies of the petition calling for "justice for Henry" and will consider launching a fund for legal costs.
Henry was born in the United States and came to Haverhill as a baby. Mrs Solt contacted the US Embassy to see if it could help. She feels if the family had stayed in the US the justice system there might have served him better.
"It is time they changed the law where a jury sits on a case as serious as this. I feel they have let down Henry, my family and the whole justice system.
"What kind of a message is it sending out to people, that it is all right to go out with a knife like that," Mrs Solt said.
Family friend Terry Brown, who had helped dyslexic Henry learn to read, said he felt the whole community was devastated by the verdict.
Pat Solt, 46, of Harewood Terrace, Haverhill, vowed to continue to "fight for justice" after Daniel Fernandez walked free from court when he was cleared of murder and manslaughter of her son Henry Solt, 17.
Mrs Solt collected more than 500 signatures in just four days on a petition she started in Haverhill
Home Secretary Jack Straw will be given the petition and asked what can be done to rectify what the family claim was a miscarriage of justice at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Henry was found dead near his home last June.
Mrs Solt said she would like to take out a private prosecution if legal aid was available but would not be able to afford to pay for it.
She and daughter Rachel Lathangue will continue circulating copies of the petition calling for "justice for Henry" and will consider launching a fund for legal costs.
Henry was born in the United States and came to Haverhill as a baby. Mrs Solt contacted the US Embassy to see if it could help. She feels if the family had stayed in the US the justice system there might have served him better.
"It is time they changed the law where a jury sits on a case as serious as this. I feel they have let down Henry, my family and the whole justice system.
"What kind of a message is it sending out to people, that it is all right to go out with a knife like that," Mrs Solt said.
Family friend Terry Brown, who had helped dyslexic Henry learn to read, said he felt the whole community was devastated by the verdict.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)