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

[KateM]

I suspect the reason he insisted he paid for the meal and drink, even thought 'he can't remember the details' is to distance himself from the notion he uses his victims for money.

And yet he said that Marion took him to lunch, which sort of implies that she paid for the meal.

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

I don’t know about others views but honestly a major bombshell needs to drop and drop quickly it takes him so long to answer.. that if they have something they need to get to it now.

Im frustrated that although an incredible amount of circumstantial and plenty of obvious lies it’s not going to be enough

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

I thought it was a bit of a "tell" that he seemed not to understand the idiom "dream" so her honour said " I think he is taking it literally" and BS changed from idiom...but then immediately afterwards AKA used the idiom himself " I never dreamed that....". So ...selective understanding?

Selective understanding
Selective memory
Selective truth
Selective stories
Selective long pauses
Selective deep breathing
Selective stammering


everything is selective.

 

[KateM]

I don’t know about others views but honestly a major bombshell needs to drop and drop quickly it takes him so long to answer.. that if they have something they need to get to it now.

Im frustrated that although an incredible amount of circumstantial and plenty of obvious lies it’s not going to be enough

I haven't listened to the latest episodes of the podcast. Was it implied that some sort of bombshell was going to happen at todays inquest hearing?

 

[Nnbee]

Maybe they are hoping to drag it out so there will be additional days added and give them more time to investigate and speak to more victims?

 

[BonnieB]

Smith has just hung him up by his musical testicle!

In not seeing her for over 30 yrs he says he had nothing to say to her !

Oh mishy, I just spat my coffee!!!!!

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

I haven't listened to the latest episodes of the podcast. Was it implied that some sort of bombshell was going to happen at todays inquest hearing?

Not really all they have said is they’ve done another interview with MC, and also with the cousin she was staying with.. they did a while ago speak again to JO but couldn’t share that

 

[gymtonic]

I thought it went like this:

Smith: Did you go to Heathrow Airport with Marion Barter?

RB: No, I never saw her til/until she picked up her belongings from my place.

If he did say “til” then that was a huge slip that he DID see her after she went overseas… rather than “since” which would align with his story of having last seen her when she picked up the boxes BEFORE the trip.

Yes, he did say that and I wrote down a big GOTCHA on my notes again!

 

[Derleedl]

I don’t know about others views but honestly a major bombshell needs to drop and drop quickly it takes him so long to answer.. that if they have something they need to get to it now.

Im frustrated that although an incredible amount of circumstantial and plenty of obvious lies it’s not going to be enough

Hmm I do tend to agree, however I think there may not be the bombshell we were all waiting for. I think the inquest thus far has been bombshell enough (in the Coroner's eyes) to determine an opinion that RB has committed an indictable offence in connection with the deceased. (assumed deceased, to be determined by the Coroner).

 

[KateM]

Not really all they have said is they’ve done another interview with MC, and also with the cousin she was staying with.. they did a while ago speak again to JO but couldn’t share that

Oh, okay. I think it might be an anti climax. People like RB seem to get away with destroying peoples lives, in this case literally.

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

Yes, he did say that and I wrote down a big GOTCHA on my notes again!

I also thought the fact he said he used the brief of evidence to jog his memory re: Switzerland meeting…

I mean he came up with Switzerland before he saw the brief of evidence.

clearly the family are unsure as to whether MB had been to Switzerland or not. Because I don’t understand why the story hasn’t straight out been debunked.. Marion snd Johnnie weren’t in Switzerland

 

[Derleedl]

Oh, okay. I think it might be an anti climax. People like RB seem to get away with destroying peoples lives, in this case literally.

Also, maybe we won't hear further bombshell evidence because it is being archived for criminal proceedings. Time will probably not allow for a conviction anyway, unfortunately.

 

[Deleted member 249471]

I wish he was asked these questions:

- Did you ever fantasise about being a pilot or navy officer?
- Have you ever been to the Commonwealth Bank in Byron Bay?
- Did you or your wife ever work at Trenwest?
- What is your REAL name, place and date of birth?
- Did you see Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel in Europe?

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

Another thing….was her hair long when she was with Johnnie in Switzerland???? Only pic I have seen is wedding it appears to be up.. but that doesn’t mean her hair was long.

 

[Derleedl]

I'm still 20 mins behind because of my inconvenient meeting - lol. I'll be caught up to follow live after lunch though, so hopeful there are some bombshells so we can share the joy together!

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

I wish he was asked these questions:

- Did you ever fantasise about being a pilot or navy officer?
- Have you ever been to the Commonwealth Bank in Byron Bay?
- Did you or your wife ever work at Trenwest?
- What is your REAL name, place and date of birth?
- Did you see Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel in Europe?

In particular the last question because of his i choose literal… he did not see Marion.. because she wasn’t Marion so technically it’s not a lie

 

[Derleedl]

I wish he was asked these questions:

- Did you ever fantasise about being a pilot or navy officer?
- Have you ever been to the Commonwealth Bank in Byron Bay?
- Did you or your wife ever work at Trenwest?
- What is your REAL name, place and date of birth?
- Did you see Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel in Europe?

Perhaps these are the bombshell questions we are waiting for? But it won't matter, IMO, because he doesn't give a hoot if he lies under oath!

 

[Deleted member 249471]

Maybe they are hoping to drag it out so there will be additional days added and give them more time to investigate and speak to more victims?

No unfortunately, the inquest has to end as it's already three times as long as most inquests.

They are in the cross examination stage and can't add more witnesses or evidence, or drag it out any further.

The homicide squad will continue their investigation, regardless.

This inquest is just to determine that Marion is deceased and there IS enough for that.

It's a bonus for police that the inquests forces RB to tell his version of event's publicly - to see what he might reveal and to start preparing their charges.

 

[gymtonic]

A missed opportunity I thought this morning was when BS was asking about the Ballina Coin Investments (which 'apparently' never traded) and BS asked what was the purpose? AKA said "I had the knowledge but I didn't have the finances" (it was heavily accented so BS may have missed it but he did say it again in so many words). so follow up "Were you looking for finances then?" Where? How? from whom?

 

[mishy66]

Another thing….was her hair long when she was with Johnnie in Switzerland???? Only pic I have seen is wedding it appears to be up.. but that doesn’t mean her hair was long.

That was interesting that Smith asked him about her hair back then. Maybe they have a photo of her with shorter hair