Australia Australia - Marion Barter, 51, missing after trip to UK, June 1997 #7

[Derleedl]

Haha amusing. She obviously has a bag of tricks up her sleeve and thought to pull that one out however it was the wrong time.
On another note, was it the daughter who came up on the screen at one point and then quickly exited out?

I didn't see - any idea of the time?

 

[caitlincurious]

Do we know if we will get to see the live proceedings once RB takes the stand?

Sandy said on twitter that it was likely to all be open court

 

[Passingthru]

At this point is anyone else wondering if they (the prosecutors? crown? What on Earth are the called in this situation?) believe that she was an active participant in the cons? Seems like a lot of questioning for this witness.

 

[Littleguy7]

I wonder how long it will be before Cassaldan reminds her she is under oath. The vague answers "about that" are ridiculous.
I do agree she may be on a sedative (likely for anxiety/stress) which may also be what some of the applications were about yesterday. Just guessing.
Re the 'FR/MC were friends that came into the shop' explanation, this is in the context that this information was from RB to her- ie its not independent testimony of what she knows, only what he told her -which is worth nothing.
The other thing I'm struggling with is that for someone who was able to charm and ingratiate himself into women's lives so easily I would assume he is an outgoing communicative character. The lack of open dialogue between them that she is suggesting is inconsistent with this.

 

[caitlincurious]

Deary me... Casselden asked if they owned a boat in Luxembourg. She said no. Um... I can't help but think the worst about why RB had a secret boat and what it may have been used for.

 

[KeenSleuth17]

I just want to say kudos to the NSW police. I know things were an utter shambles initially and so much has been lost but it's clear that they, and the lawyers, have genuinely done their research.

Guess that’s what happens when there’s an huge amount of pressure on them to perform (or even just to do their job justly) and the homicide squad is involved. Shame it happened at such a late hour. The guy is going to have less time where he belongs (fingers crossed).

 

[mishy66]

After they married, she said he became a wedding photographer. so did he ever show her the photos he took? In those days, would he have had to develop them at home in a dark room?

Earlier she said he was a press photographer

 

[KeenSleuth17]

I am all for giving people the benefit of the doubt but come on... you know your husband has been *imprisoned* for fraud; you know he's constantly changing his name with no proper explanation why; and you know you're living relatively comfortably (with overseas travel) on apparently a disability pension. But it never occurred to you something shifty might be going on?

At absolute, generous best IMO she didn't ask questions because she knew she didn't want to hear the answers which is no better than being actively aware in my view.

Or she benefited in some way so claimed ignorance.

 

[Passingthru]

Guess that’s what happens when there’s an huge amount of pressure on them to perform (or even just to do their job justly) and the homicide squad is involved. Shame it happened at such a late hour. The guy is going to have less time where he belongs (fingers crossed).

Sadly I don’t see this going to trial. Australia has only had six “no body” convictions and one of those was turned over on appeal.

 

[caitlincurious]

Some of the questions of Casseldon assume that RB did in fact maintain extended contact with both FR and MC after moving to Australia from Luxembourg. Veeeeery interesting. I stand by my previous thoughts that the real FR is still sketchy

 

[mishy66]

I was beginning to think that maybe he couldn't drive. Then JO said he drove the hired car in the UK.

Maybe a reason for not driving other times was to not have a car so no license plates to be checked up on.

He had licenses. I believe he had various cars are various places but parked away from locations he visited / lived

 

[KeenSleuth17]

I didn't see - any idea of the time?

It was the later part of this morning but I can’t find it, it was only a few seconds. She was a young brunette woman with a face mask on.

 

[caitlincurious]

Can we return to the Belgian Congo thing? That must mean Africa, not Belgium. If it's a lie that's a real doozey

 

[caitlincurious]

Also, I agree. They must have SOMETHING concrete beyond the Remakel name to link Marion to these people. These interviews are extensive.

 

[mishy66]

I didn't see - any idea of the time?

I saw her too, black sparkly mask on, maybe it was the daughter

 

[mishy66]

It was the later part of this morning but I can’t find it, it was only a few seconds. She was a young brunette woman with a face mask on.

1:18 into it she pops up

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I agree.
There must be something solid that they have. I think they're working their way up to revealing what it is.

Also, I agree. They must have SOMETHING concrete beyond the Remakel name to link Marion to these people. These interviews are extensive.

 

[mishy66]

Can we return to the Belgian Congo thing? That must mean Africa, not Belgium. If it's a lie that's a real doozey

I just think this is something he told her and she believed it, not knowing her geography maybe

 

[mishy66]

I agree.
There must be something solid that they have. I think they're working their way up to revealing what it is.

Maybe this is where Marion stayed or where RB sent Marions belongings....to the shop

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I saw her name. It wasn't the daughter.

It was the later part of this morning but I can’t find it, it was only a few seconds. She was a young brunette woman with a face mask on.