Prosecutors in London are reportedly building a case against Australian radio DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian following their hoax on Jacintha Saldanha, a nurse at King Edward VII Hospital who took her life after the incident.
Greig and Christian placed a prank call to the hospital on Dec. 4 impersonating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, seeking information on Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton while she was hospitalized for acute morning sickness.
Saldanha committed suicide at the hospital just three days after the incident and is said to have held Greig and Christian responsible in suicide notes that she left behind.
A spokesman for Britain’s Scotland Yard recently said, ”Following the death of Jacintha Saldanha, officers have liaised with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] as to whether any criminal offences had been committed in relation to the hoax call.”
Now, HLN host Jane Velez-Mitchell tells Celebuzz that the radio station may have some responsibility in the tragedy.
“I believe the biggest problem the radio station has is the fact that they recorded this nurse without her permission and they played that recording to the world,” she said.
Complicating the case is the fact that this was not the first time Saldanha had tried to commit suicide.
The Daily Mail reports that Saldanha had attempted suicide twice in just the last year. She had previously attempted suicide by overdosing on pills; after that failed, she jumped from a building. She then spent time in an intensive care unit recovering and received psychiatric treatment.
Despite Saldanha’s previous suicide attempts, Velez-Mitchell believes a case is likely to be brought against the DJs.
“I think this is going to be a major lawsuit. We’re all going to be watching it. I certainly hope that this family gets something for all of the pain and suffering they’ve endeared.”
Jane hosts the hit show Jane Velez-Mitchell – airing at 7PM EST on HLN — and tackles the most controversial events with a wide range of viewpoints. Check out HLNtv.com for more details.
