Rebecca Filletti Represents Vulnerable Client in Tragic Diminished Responsibility Manslaughter Case

Rebecca Filletti, led by Nina Grahame KC, and instructed by Nicola Hall of Robert Lizars Solicitors, represented Ms Amelia Ali as an acceptable guilty plea of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility was entered on Tuesday (13 January 2026).

In April 2025, Ms Ali was charged with the murder of her 93-year-old grandmother. Following extensive psychiatric and psychological assessments, all experts agreed that Ms Ali suffered from an enduring and serious mental illness resulting in psychotic delusions at the time of the death.

This case represents yet another tragic situation where complex presentations over many years masked the nature and severity of Ms Ali’s long-term mental illness. As frequently occurs, she ‘self-medicated’ with alcohol and drugs in an attempt to manage the dreadful symptoms of her illness – which remained formally undiagnosed throughout her adult life.

In April 2025, she had been voluntarily and successfully pursuing rehabilitation for alcohol and drug use. However, her mental illness remained untreated, resulting in this catastrophic outcome. All who knew Ms Ali and her grandmother confirmed the bond of deep love and affection that existed between them.

Ms Ali’s case is scheduled for sentencing on 12 March 2026.

Rebecca Filletti has represented several vulnerable female defendants charged with murder in high profile cases whose cases have resolved by a plea to manslaughter, either by reason of diminished responsibility through mental illness or loss of control in the context of PTSD and a history of abusive relationships. These include the cases of Joanna Sharkey, Katie Yeomans and Kelly Gray.

Additional media

ITV News – Woman admits manslaughter of her grandmother by reason of diminished responsibility