A philosophy professor from Devon has been cleared of any wrongdoing following the accidental death of a man he restrained in an attempt to prevent a car theft. The tragic event occurred in July 2022 when Daniel Smith, 35, attempted to steal Dr. Charlie Thame’s car while being pursued by police for an unrelated burglary.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Dr-Charlie-Thame-061026-a5dc78576893434d90c13a4ed5008278.jpg)
On Thursday, 10 June, Exeter Coroner’s Court ruled that the death of Smith was accidental, leading to a decision that Professor Thame would face no legal repercussions for his actions. The incident unfolded when Smith broke into Thame’s unlocked home and seized the keys to his vehicle.
As events unfolded, Smith entered Thame’s car and attempted to drive away. In a desperate bid to reclaim his car, the professor jumped into the passenger side of the vehicle, positioning his legs outside. Witnesses reported that Smith, who was reportedly agitated, reversed the car and collided with a gate post while trying to evade capture. During this chaotic sequence of events, Thame described Smith’s behaviour as akin to that of a “trapped wild animal.”
Dr. Thame, a professor of philosophy at Thammasat University in Bangkok, revealed in court that he was concerned Smith may be armed with a knife. He placed his arm under Smith’s armpit to pull him from the driver’s seat, which inadvertently led to a headlock. Thame recounted that as the confrontation escalated, he did not intend to cause harm but felt his own safety was under threat.
After struggling for control, Smith became unresponsive, prompting bystanders, including neighbour Deborah Day, to call for help. Thame stated he immediately released Smith, who was subsequently placed on the ground and given chest compressions. Thame adamantly refuted claims made by Day that he had placed his knee on Smith’s neck, insisting it was a serious misrepresentation of the events that transpired.
The autopsy revealed the cause of Smith’s death as cardiac arrest, influenced by acute behavioural disturbance, cocaine use, and the physical restraint applied by Thame. Detective Constable Sharon Moore from Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the authorities ruled out any criminal charges against the philosophy professor.
During the court proceedings, Thame expressed his belief that his actions, though unfortunate, were necessary to protect not only his life but that of his father, who was present during the incident. “If I had not done what I did, my father would not be sitting here today,” Thame stated, adding, “I probably saved two lives. My actions were entirely justifiable at the time and in hindsight.”
Thame’s father, Geoff, described the situation as surreal, recalling how his son had shouted at Smith during the confrontation. He also noted Smith’s manic behaviour, saying he appeared “wild, very agitated, wide-eyed and frothing at the mouth.”
Witness Deborah Day corroborated Thame’s account, acknowledging that while he had indeed put Smith in a headlock, she did not believe that he intended to kill him. Rather, she reflected that his intervention may have inadvertently preserved lives, including her own.
Following a thorough investigation, the coroner concluded that Thame’s restraint lasted no more than one minute and 45 seconds and maintained that he had released Smith as soon as he realised he was unconscious.
The harrowing event has raised questions regarding self-defence and the use of force in situations of imminent threat. As the court officially ruled the death an accident, the incident remains a stark reminder of the potential consequences that can arise during situations where individuals feel compelled to act in self-defence.