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U.K. Prosecutors Considering Pressing Charges Over Kate Middleton Hoax Call

Dec. 22, 2012 11:04am Madeleine Morgenstern

U.K. Prosecutors Considering Pressing Charges Over Kate Middleton Hospital Hoax Call

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge waves to the crowds as she arrives at Cambridge Guildhall as she pays an official visit to Cambridge with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on November 28, 2012 in Cambridge, England. (Getty Images)

LONDON (AP) — Prosecutors are weighing whether to press charges over a royal hoax call that preceded a nurse’s apparent suicide, police said Saturday.

Two Australian DJs impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and her son, Prince Charles, as they phoned London’s King Edward VII hospital in the early hours of Dec. 4 to ask about the condition of the Duchess of Cambridge, formerly Kate Middleton, who had been hospitalized there after suffering from acute morning sickness stemming from her pregnancy.

The DJs’ shaky upper-crust accents were apparently enough to fool 46-year-old nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who put them through to a colleague who in turn described the details of Kate’s condition.

The call – complete with the DJs’ laughter at their luck – went viral and was broadcast the world over. But the incident took a darker turn after Saldanha’s body was found hanging in her room three days after the prank.

The DJs, 2DayFM’s Mel Greig and Michael Christian, apologized for the prank in emotional interviews on Australian television, saying they never expected their call would be put through. The show was taken off the air and the DJs have been suspended.

In a statement, London’s Metropolitan Police said that they had submitted a file to Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service “to consider whether any potential offenses may have been committed by making the hoax call.”

It’s not clear what charges, if any, prosecutors were considering. The force said they would be making no further comment.

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Comments (24)

charleyrocks
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 2:02am
No charges should be laid it was a innocent joke for cryin out loud. But one has to wonder about the abrasions on her wrists when she was found hanging. Something is not right about the way she died what is her culture, did she dishonor her family with everyone laughing about it? These are questions everyone should be asking why were there sores on her wrists, doesn’t happen when one hangs herself. Think about it. And everyone is sending money to the husband?

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- XaviorOnassis
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 2:36am
  I cannot speak to UK law, but attempting to acquire confidential medical information under false pretenses is a crime in many places (albeit usually a misdemeanor).
  
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Carlinpa
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:05pm
More suppression of humor ,,, unfortunate events, but not a reason to prosecute the DJ’s

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- kenboo1
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:24pm
  Humor in Jolly Old England has to be extremely dry and taste like fermented Haggis.
  
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PapaJohannesPatriot
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:05pm
I guess a lot of those people never heard of the old tv series Candid Camera.

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- XaviorOnassis
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 2:37am
  candid Camera never attempted to get confidential medical information under false pretenses.
  
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BunkerHill1775
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:30pm
Don’t they have HIPAA type Laws in the UK..???

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raderby
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:24pm
press charges, as in, …. what? Who DID anything? Except the woman that killed herself – if the laws there are like ours- she committed a crime by offing herself- had she lived – booby hatch

But outside of her – who is guilty of anything? Upside down world……

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- Jenny Lind
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:10pm
  Thank you, common sense has lost it’s place in the UK, they seem to think everything can be fixed with law, and truely it cannot. She was not stable, she was humiliated, it was her choice, and not anyone else’s. Life has it’s moments for all of us, and how we react is on us, not someone else, and you cannot fix everything with law or court. the UK has lost it’s collective mind lately.
  
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The-Monk
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:11pm
While I don’t know the state of mind of the lady who committed suicide I do know a few Brits that consider the Royal Monarchy akin to a step down God. Some British citizens are so enamored with the the Royal Family that to do something to disgrace them would be an unforgivable offense. The Japanese are like that with their Emperor. Suicide, for some people, in situations like this is the only saving grace in their minds.

Like English Bob said in the movie Unforgiven, “One would stand in awe in the presence of Royalty.”

I just hope she is at peace.

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- MONICNE
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:29pm
  Great generalizations, you sure know your stereotype. Loved the use of a movie script line as a “quote,” that was quite convincing proof of the UK psyche there.
  
  You are a unique philosopher and a dignified world traveller. What is your reasoning on why some folks do not have jobs recently? Are they all just disposable Tampans where you are?
  
  Merry Birthday of The One Lord God Jesus Christ
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:27pm
  Hi SleazyHippo,
  
  Have you considered having your Doctor review your prescription?
  
  It may need to be increased. Merry Christmas troll.
  
  Report this comment
- Comcast3
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:43pm
  @MONICNE; Angry, underemployed Atheist, who secretly enjoys this time of year….enjoy your “Holiday” tree.
  @THE-MONK; Thoughtful and classy. Love the English Bob, reference. Merry Christmas.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 6:17pm
  Merry Christmas to you too Comcast3. : )
  
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The_Jerk
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:55pm
No crime was committed. A mentally challenged, unstable person, killed herself. ‘Herself’ is the key word.

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- chips1
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:54pm
  They have already prosecuted all of the muslim terrorists so now they are concentrating on lesser crimes, like speech.
  
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Polarized America
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:42pm
.
that will teach them not to mess with Her Royal Hinny … i mean Her Royal Highness

cuz that’s what it’s all about ..the Royals not the DJ’s or us commoners

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Locked
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:32pm
I don’t even see how that would be possible… not only was the suicide an improbable consequence, it was from another country.

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- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:57pm
  By having “treaties” countries are by passing all those “silly constitutions” and states rights laws. Global Government = Global reach !
  
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blanco5
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:12pm
Oh no, someone mentally unsatable committed suicde so hurry and do something that will make us all feel good about ourselves!!!!

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- pavepaws
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:32pm
  Bull dung
  
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denkat56
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:36am
All right they’ll go after a radio station, but leave the paparatzi to kill princess Di and her boyfriend , it sounds like the American way of doing things is rubbing off on the royals. Elvis will be leaving the planet, until common sense comes back. This would’ve never happened under a Republican president.

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SocialistSlayer
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:13am
The UK needs to get a Life !

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:02pm
  And, they need more dentists and orthodontists.
  
  Report this comment

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