GUILTY UK - Alex Rodda, 15, murdered, Cheshire village, Ashley,13 Dec 2019 *Arrest*

[Parker Knoll]

I think he did. I think it will be late tomorrow maybe Friday morning.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I think the judge making the point that he took the wrench with intent of some kind, and that essentially they could have had a convo in the car (thats how I read that), plus him leaving Alex instead of helping, misleading Alex as to purpose, internet searches... Seems the judge is clear how it should go legally IMO.

But juries are human at the end of the day and let's be honest it does seem really probable that there was exploitation leading to desperation. They need to almost side swipe all of the history and focus on the facts from that fatal day to reach the correct verdict I think.

 

[Parker Knoll]

That’s how I read it HKP

 

[HongKongPhooey]

That’s how I read it HKP

Kind of tricky to word it though because I dont for one minute think myself that what happened was in any way justifiable.

 

[Parker Knoll]

No. It was shocking and brutal. I walk my dog there daily. It’s utterly remote. However unless on the jury we only get limited information that’s out on MSM. It all generally tumbles out after conviction.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

No. It was shocking and brutal. I walk my dog there daily. It’s utterly remote. However unless on the jury we only get limited information that’s out on MSM. It all generally tumbles out after conviction.

Didnt realise you were so local. It must have shocked the community to its core.

 

[Parker Knoll]

Yes. I didn’t know Alex I know of daughters of friends who knew him vaguely. You know what kids are like these days, they are all connected through SM one way or another. Someone always knows someone if it’s local. Sad story all round.

 

[Legally Bland]

12:30
Jury back in court
Jurors are back in court.

The judge has given them advice on seeking a majority verdict, but said it would be better if the decision is unanimous.

The jury has retired.
Alex Rodda murder trial: Jurors continue deliberations

 

[JosieJo]

Thanks for all the information....im surprised the Jury are taking so long

 

[Legally Bland]

Great news, more at link but don't have time to copy ATM.

14:46KEY EVENT
MATTHEW MASON FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER
The jury have convicted Mason of murder - by a 10-2 majority.
BREAKING: Alex Rodda murder trial - Matthew Mason found GUILTY of murder

 

[Legally Bland]

14:54
Judge thanks jurors
The judge has thanked jurors for their service, telling them:

I want to thank you. This has been a difficult case, nobody can contend.

All juries have to try cases and sometimes have to sit and listen to terrible things. You have that truly terrible and difficult task.

You have carefully considered all evidence.

It’s not my position to pass an opinion in this case.

But you will know the evidence in this case was overwhelming.

You had to decide what was in his mind. You now have to trust me to pass the appropriate sentence.

14:54
Mason burst into tears
At the moment of the verdict, the family of Alex Rodda cried out and embraced.

Mason burst into tears.

14:59
Judge will return in an hour to set sentence date
The judge will return to court at 4pm.

BREAKING: Alex Rodda murder trial - Matthew Mason found GUILTY of murder

 

[Legally Bland]

15:01
Matthew Mason's mug shot

BREAKING: Alex Rodda murder trial - Matthew Mason found GUILTY of murder

 

[Legally Bland]

15:05
Family statement
Speaking after the verdict, Alex’s family said:

Our son Alex was a wonderful, gentle, loving, kind, caring, respectful boy who loved life and lived life to the full. His precious life was cut short all too soon at the hands of Matthew Mason.

Mason admitted killing Alex from the outset of this trial but still felt the need to put us through the trauma of this trial in an attempt to minimise his sentence. He never once considered the pain it would put our family through or indeed his own family.

We have never come across a more selfish, cold and calculating person.

Mason has attempted to blame Alex and discredit his name throughout this trial and thankfully the jury were able to see through his web of deceit.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the jury for coming to the right decision.

BREAKING: Alex Rodda murder trial - Matthew Mason found GUILTY of murder

We would also like to thank Detective Inspector Nigel Reid and his team of officers from Cheshire Constabulary for all their hard work over the last 12 months and in particular the family liaison officers, David Edon and Lucy Kennedy, who have supported us through this particularly difficult time.

 

[Legally Bland]

15:06
'It has been a painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team of detectives'
Detective Inspector Nigel Reid, from Cheshire Police’s Major Investigation Team, said:

It has been a painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team of detectives.

They have worked extremely hard to gather evidence to show the true extent of the relationship between Mason and Alex and the true picture of what happened that night.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mr and Mrs Rodda for their patience and support throughout the investigation.

The true extent of Mason and Alex’s relationship could not have been done without the bravery and courage of Alex’s friends. They provided key information to the investigation, despite their grief and heartache, in order to secure justice for their friend.

Mason had murder on his mind as he drove Alex to his death under the pretence of sexual activity. He chose a secluded place to kill him in cold blood, a place he believed he would go unseen and his crime undetected.

Alex was a popular young boy who was much loved by his family and friends. I hope the conviction of Mason helps Alex’s family and his close friends to come to terms with such a terrible tragedy.

My thoughts continue to be with them all.


16:27AMY WALKER
Court reconvening
The court is reconvening with the judge set to give a sentencing date.

BREAKING: Alex Rodda murder trial - Matthew Mason found GUILTY of murder

 

[Thelastleg]

Thank you again @Legally Bland. I know this is going to make me unpopular but I wish Matthew had had the courage to come out as gay right at the beginning of these awful events. It would have changed the path of Alex and Matthew. I sympathise with both families.

 

[Legally Bland]

Thank you again @Legally Bland. I know this is going to make me unpopular but I wish Matthew had had the courage to come out as gay right at the beginning of these awful events. It would have changed the path of Alex and Matthew. I sympathise with both families.

Not sure why that would make you unpopular. I don't think money was Alex's idea in the first place, it was MM's, Alex went along with it and then things got out of hand.

Pretty sure the first mention of money is on one of the unrecoverable messages.

 

[Legally Bland]

16:33KEY EVENT
Mason to be sentenced on January 25
A sentencing date has been set for Monday 25th January.

Prosecutor Mr Unsworth QC told the court victim personal statements will most likely be read by Alex's mum and dad during the hearing.

Speaking to Mason, Judge Everett told him: "You were convicted on overwhelming evidence. You ran this trial as long as you possibly in the hope you could to sneak away from the conviction of murder.

"The time has come you will be sentenced on January 25."

This concludes our live coverage for the trial. Read the full details on Mason's guilty verdict here.

Alex Rodda murder trial - Matthew Mason found GUILTY of murder

 

[Tortoise]

Thank you for all your hard work on the updates @Legally Bland

It sounds as if the implication was that he would have thrown him down the stairs if Alex's mum hadn't come home.

 

[Tortoise]

Gosh I've just seen it was a majority verdict. No wonder the judge made the comments he did to imply his agreement.

(Same judge for the Lucy Letby case.)

 

[Marg from Oz]

Legally Bland. Many thanks. You deserve a well earned rest after all of that.