Australia Australia - Marion Barter, 51, missing after trip to UK, June 1997 #13

[mishy66]

Yes, I do agree with this, also. I just don't know if he is that great an actor, or that brilliant of a conman. It's really impossible to gauge early dementia without knowing what the person was like when they were younger. I wouldn't wish dementia on anyone, but if he did have it, I think it might cause him to inadvertently disclose the truth some day. If he's just lying, he'll never admit to anything.

He's been an actor and a conman for 60yrs. His well documented NAA, Police and ASIO files and evidence given by past victims have shown this time and time again.
It's ingrained in him.
He has no dementia.
The only thing demented is his actions on innocent people, including his family who he has never had the least bit of conscience for.
If he did, he wouldn't have been fleeting off OS 4 times year and over school holiday times while he carries out crimes.
He couldn't even remember all his kids names! Not because of any medical problem but because he doesn't give a S about anyone other than Ric Blum.

IMO

 

[CoCo319]

Why call it a 'big removalist company' when it was one 'old guy' in his 50s, small guy, who did all the lifting alone?

Two things:

- I'm in my 50s and am not happy to be 'old' and at that time, wouldn't it still have been YOUNGER than WW was?

- Here in the UK, we call 'one old man' on his own with a van not a 'big removalist company' but 'a man and van'. Assume it's the same in Aus?

Note the detail 'he went outside to relieve himself' !?

In the US, you can ship a few boxes with UPS or DHL and it might just be delivered in a small truck by one guy. Or, I was thinking more like she just paid a guy who rented a U-Haul truck. Maybe removalist company means slightly different things in different places. We call them moving companies. Considering the whole thing is probably a made-up event, probably doesn't matter much, but yeah, it doesn't sound like a valid story.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

Nothing against casual and I'm not a clothes snob.

But wouldn't you think a suave irresistible international traveller ladies man would wear something a bit more dressy to court.

I think this is his 'elderly disabled pensioner' who lives within modest means outfit. Guaranteed he lived a life of smoke and mirrors and maybe fancy clothes was part of it.

Altho since he's so old, maybe he's just dressing for comfort nowadays?

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

I wonder how many crooked associates of his are getting a bit hot under the collar?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Yep that makes a lot of sense.

Dress up and you have people maybe noticing designer clothes and wondering...

I think this is his 'elderly disabled pensioner' who lives within modest means outfit

 

[CoCo319]

Why call it a 'big removalist company' when it was one 'old guy' in his 50s, small guy, who did all the lifting alone?

Two things:

- I'm in my 50s and am not happy to be 'old' and at that time, wouldn't it still have been YOUNGER than WW was?

- Here in the UK, we call 'one old man' on his own with a van not a 'big removalist company' but 'a man and van'. Assume it's the same in Aus?

Note the detail 'he went outside to relieve himself' !?

In the US, you can ship a few boxes with UPS or DHL and it might just be delivered in a small truck by one guy. Or, I was thinking more like she just paid a guy who rented a U-Haul truck. Maybe removalist company means slightly different things in different places. We call them moving companies. Considering the whole thing is probably a made-up event, probably doesn't matter much, but yeah, it doesn't sound like a valid story.

He's been an actor and a conman for 60yrs. His well documented NAA, Police and ASIO files and evidence given by past victims have shown this time and time again.
It's ingrained in him.
He has no dementia.
The only thing demented is his actions on innocent people, including his family who he has never had the least bit of conscience for.
If he did, he wouldn't have been fleeting off OS 4 times year and over school holiday times while he carries out crimes.
He couldn't even remember all his kids names! Not because of any medical problem but because he doesn't give a S about anyone other than Ric Blum.

IMO

He's been an actor and a conman for 60yrs. His well documented NAA, Police and ASIO files and evidence given by past victims have shown this time and time again.
It's ingrained in him.
He has no dementia.
The only thing demented is his actions on innocent people, including his family who he has never had the least bit of conscience for.
If he did, he wouldn't have been fleeting off OS 4 times year and over school holiday times while he carries out crimes.
He couldn't even remember all his

He's been an actor and a conman for 60yrs. His well documented NAA, Police and ASIO files and evidence given by past victims have shown this time and time again.
It's ingrained in him.
He has no dementia.
The only thing demented is his actions on innocent people, including his family who he has never had the least bit of conscience for.
If he did, he wouldn't have been fleeting off OS 4 times year and over school holiday times while he carries out crimes.
He couldn't even remember all his kids names! Not because of any medical problem but because he doesn't give a S about anyone other than Ric Blum.

IMO

Oh, I totally agree with you that he has been a actor and conman for his life. Not disputing that at all. Sorry if I wasn't clear. Yes, it's documented well. I merely wondered if he isn't beginning to have memory issues because I would think someone who conned all these women would have more coherent story on the stand.

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

There's a beautiful photo of Sally and her support team of friends and sleuths, some who traveled from other countries to be with her during the inquest-- posted by Alison Sandy, Seven News. They are on the beach at sunset. As it's on social media, I can't share it here. But I am comforted to know she has that support.

 

[Deleted member 249471]

I am wondering about whether they will show the woman on the CCTV who used Marion's credit card. Sally said she looked like Marion.

Possibly in a criminal court room but probably not at this inquest.
They'll need to somehow link the woman in the footage to purchases made by RB or DdH, or to RB interacting with the woman in the footage. In the scheme of things, it's not particularly the strongest piece of evidence and may be difficult to prove.

Interestingly, if it goes to trial, RB's testimony will be minimal, as his lawyers will do all the talking. He won't have the opportunity to tell all his lies, or change what he previously said. His lawyers will create and control a very clear and straight story they can repeat and that can withstand cross examination.

And yes, RB will have an easier time getting a lawyer for a criminal trial. Everyone has the right to a defence in court so someone will take it out of duty, or money or notoriety.

The problem with inquest is that RB is required to speak and he compulsively lies and changes his story, which is a problem for lawyers who are supposed to keep a straight story, and defend wrongdoers but not knowingly lie.

 

[CoCo319]

Anyone else in the US having trouble finding inquest on YouTube? If not, can you please send me a link?

 

[Deleted member 249471]

Fantasy Two: Wonka sold Marion's things. Something turned up, and trail leads back to him. His need to make a buck (er pound) no matter what, wheeler-dealer he is, bites his *advertiser censored*.

Is it possible Cassellden doesn't divulge everything he has pre-trial? Or must he, Australian jurisprudence experts?

I highly suspect that there is a lot more evidence Police are not revealing.

Remember there is still a separate and ongoing investigation by a homicide squad.

They only need to pass on to the Coroner what is relevant for the inquest's purpose: is Marion deceased and what where her movements around the time of her death?

They certainly won't reveal anything that might compromise their active investigation. IMO.

 

[Itsapuzzle]

Anyone else in the US having trouble finding inquest on YouTube? If not, can you please send me a link?

Try this link CoCo319. It's 9.12 am here in Melbourne now, so it'll start in about three quarters of an hour, 10 am.
Live Streams

 

[gymtonic]

It was in the first third of the Inquest before the first break - during much discussion about how many times WW actual saw Marion 3, or 4, once a month, etc, at her home etc and when he noticed a motorbike outside and assume there was another man.

I typed it verbatim as he said it, although had to replay it several times as I couldn't work out what he was mumbling. My very best estimate was that he said 'korean students parents and teachers' run together very quickly but was struggling to figure out what it was but it would fit in with 'asian [food] banquets'. I should have noted the time, I'll try find it. I don't know about Aus private schooling but perhaps there are many wealthy korean students attending? (I am British)

I must admit that I dismissed this rambling as AKA trying to raise some stories to head off queries gleaned from the podcast…I.e. the podcast mentioned LL seeing a motorbike outside when asked if MB was seeing anyone (I haven’t checked but I think this is accurate) and the queries about whether MB had any interest in S Korea (re her outgoing flight via Seoul) and AC asked (earlier in inquest) if she had any interest in Korean food? To me it was like AKA was grabbing bit of jigsaw puzzle pieces to rationalise any reason why he wouldn’t be involved…..diversion, distract etc…so you have to keep looking for the gems that actually mean something?! IMO MOO

 

[gymtonic]

A couple of thoughts...

If you are on an international flight that is leaving at 6am you need to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. Blum said he caught the mini bus transfer up there. I call BS on this, no way was a transfer company running trips at like 12 at night from northern NSW to get to BNE airport - that service just didn't exist back then.

I've always thought he kept something of Marion's that was unique that the kids would know about/grew up with and that information would be supplied to the police. Nothing makes sense about his tea chest story.

The 2 car issue is highly suspect - different stories from Blum and his wife.

The bank deposit timing - so interesting.

I’m not so sure about this…I know, I know I hate to defend, but Brisbane Airport has never had a night curfew on arrivals and departures (unlike some other airports) so planes are landing and taking off throughout the night and there are means of getting there by shuttle-bus, taxi if you have no options for accommodation pre-departure. I am not saying he did it but just that it is not impossible. People from the coast north of Brisbane Sunshine Coast and further up catch early morning shuttles to get to Brisbane airport for early departures.

 

[BonnieB]

Just like the mini bus not running overnight back then, the being at the airport two hours early most likely didn't either, 25 years ago.
I certainly don't recall having to be at an airport two hours early in those days.

IMO The whole issue of how he got to the airport for his 6.25am flight is just a smokescreen to cover the fact that HE was the man in Marion's car at Macca's the night before his departure and it was most likely Marion who took him to the airport.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

It's not outside the realms of possibilily that he does have some dementia.
It strikes all kinds of people, of all characters, good or bad.

Listening to RB's testimony, sometimes I wonder if he doesn't have some early dementia. His variable memory reminds me a lot of my dad. Sometimes very clear, sometimes very muddled. And my dad was an honest guy. Gotta be extra confusing for a pathological liar. I know he could be pretending and he's obviously lying a lot, but he could also have something else going on.

 

[Deleted member 249471]

About RB's early morning flight, I think it's likely RB spent the night at an airport hotel.

I suspect Casselden was fishing for answers on whether this might be the night Marion did not sleep at LL's house.

Remember when Marion told LL she was spending it at Sally's, but Sally called and they realised they had no idea where Marion was or where she slept that night.

This might be why RB insists he slept at home and travelled that very morning.

 

[CoCo319]

Try this link CoCo319. It's 9.12 am here in Melbourne now, so it'll start in about three quarters of an hour, 10 am.
Live Streams

Thanks. Lol, my phone had an update last night and has been acting up and I'm on no sleep, so I got the time wrong. I've got it now.

 

[BonnieB]

No doubt today we will see more acting by Blum with his huffing and puffing, mumblings and appropriate 'forgetfulness ' at crucial moments of the timeline, in between clear lucidity and sharp responses to Q about his own personal life like we have seen throughout these inquests since February.

He is a professional liar and actor, it's how he manipulated the women he fleeced and with Marion, potentially killed.

The whole story about tripping the light fantastic along the French coast with his now dead friends, is just that, another story.
Deflecting from what he was really doing back in 1997, on a trip he took with Marion, and the real reason he was in the probable areas of UK, Lux, Belgium etc, all the other places he frequents.

He is just a player; dropping a new place with new friends yesterday was just another way to shift focus from Marions travels and his association with her. He's read the brief, he knows what's in there, what's coming up.

His time wasting skills on his 'health' is him hoping to drawout the inevitable. He knows AC is much much smarter than him, so he's using any tactic he can get.

He still thinks this inquest is all about him.
It's not.
It's about Marion Barter.
AC isn't fooled at all by his BS.

IMO MOO

You nailed him @mishy66. 100% AGREE with your assessment.

 

[mishy66]

I must admit that I dismissed this rambling as AKA trying to raise some stories to head off queries gleaned from the podcast…I.e. the podcast mentioned LL seeing a motorbike outside when asked if MB was seeing anyone (I haven’t checked but I think this is accurate) and the queries about whether MB had any interest in S Korea (re her outgoing flight via Seoul) and AC asked (earlier in inquest) if she had any interest in Korean food? To me it was like AKA was grabbing bit of jigsaw puzzle pieces to rationalise any reason why he wouldn’t be involved…..diversion, distract etc…so you have to keep looking for the gems that actually mean something?! IMO MOO

My thoughts too @gymtonic
Another clue that he has listened to the podcast and here possibly.

 

[Littleguy7]

Link is now up