GUILTY Australia - Robert, 66, & Cheryl Adamson, 60, murdered, Murrumbeena, Vic, 19 Feb 2014

[truthseeker2011]

You get more of a sense of them from that photo IMO than in that stilted, formal graduation one with their son.

Yes, that smile is very Cheryl.

 

[MsAnais]

Darby, the dog, is fine. I have no idea where he was during the attack. I guess that is one of the details that will come out during the trial, but don't really want to think about it.

Thanks for letting us know that, truthseeker :seeya:

 

[MsAnais]

Yes, that smile is very Cheryl.

She looks like such a warm, friendly woman! Which is what the obituaries are all saying - how very lovely she was.

I too am deeply sorry for the loss of your friend, truthseeker. :facepalm:

May justice be served.

 

[enzeder]

Darby, the dog, is fine. I have no idea where he was during the attack. I guess that is one of the details that will come out during the trial, but don't really want to think about it.

Thank you so much truthseeker2011 for letting us know that Darby is fine. Much appreciated.

 

[clairabelle4]

Interesting...

http://m.theage.com.au/victoria/mur...o-criminal-damage-suspect-20140403-3601q.html

 

[MsAnais]

Interesting...

http://m.theage.com.au/victoria/mur...o-criminal-damage-suspect-20140403-3601q.html

Welcome clairabelle!!!:seeya:

That is interesting......obviously all was indeed not well in this guy's world :facepalm:

The man charged with murdering Murrumbeena couple Robert and Cheryl Adamson will be interviewed by police over three unrelated allegations of criminal damage by fire.

http://m.theage.com.au/victoria/mur...o-criminal-damage-suspect-20140403-3601q.html

 

[MsAnais]

And his troubles are evidently not only recent (BBM):

Detective Hupfeld said in evidence Mr Hemming has been identified as a suspect in criminal damage by fire on February 19 this year, as well as April 18, 2012, and March 13, 2011

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...age-suspect-20140403-3601q.html#ixzz2yR0y4pQD

 

[ozman]

I know what you mean, Ausgirl - I'm trying to give these ones the benefit of the doubt until I'm told otherwise.
But sadly, my professional experience has shown me that the vast majority of criminals come from houses with very serious dysfunction (even if they may appear okay on the surface)!:facepalm:

It's an old post but, while I understand your skepticism, please do not suggest that Colleen is at any way at fault for Tom's actions. As someone very close to the Hemming family, I can assure you that Colleen has always been as supportive to Tom as any mother could possibly have been, still even now. And while his family life did not come without its fair share of bumps along the road, it was extremely far from "serious dysfunction".
It has already been stated by someone else, but I will reiterate the fact that this came to a total shock to everyone who knew Tom, including his parents and family. Personally, I didn't believe it until I saw his name in the newspaper, because it was just so unexpected.
To my surprise (and I'm sure many others), the neighborhood has been very supportive to both the Adamson and Hemming families, despite everything. If those living next to both the victims and the perpetrator, many of whom saw Tom grow up, can understand that Tom's actions were his own and in no way reflect on his parents or his upbringing, I'm sure you are able to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[truthseeker2011]

It's an old post but, while I understand your skepticism, please do not suggest that Colleen is at any way at fault for Tom's actions. As someone very close to the Hemming family, I can assure you that Colleen has always been as supportive to Tom as any mother could possibly have been, still even now. And while his family life did not come without its fair share of bumps along the road, it was extremely far from "serious dysfunction".
It has already been stated by someone else, but I will reiterate the fact that this came to a total shock to everyone who knew Tom, including his parents and family. Personally, I didn't believe it until I saw his name in the newspaper, because it was just so unexpected.
To my surprise (and I'm sure many others), the neighborhood has been very supportive to both the Adamson and Hemming families, despite everything. If those living next to both the victims and the perpetrator, many of whom saw Tom grow up, can understand that Tom's actions were his own and in no way reflect on his parents or his upbringing, I'm sure you are able to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Ozman, I don't think anyone, including Isisrising, is implying that Tom's parents could be responsible for this in any way. I am very sorry for their suffering, and the shock they must be experiencing. I imagine it's similar to that being experienced on the other side of the 'fence'.

But many of us (including those with professional experience, such as Isis), found it implausible that there couldn't be any previous signs or issues prior to such a dreadful act, and the recent reports and court appearance would seem to back that up.

No-one is pointing fingers here, but everything possible must be learned from this terrible incident so as to avoid it ever happening again - including trying to work out what signs were missed, or overlooked, beforehand.

 

[truthseeker2011]

And his troubles are evidently not only recent (BBM):

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...age-suspect-20140403-3601q.html#ixzz2yR0y4pQD

Hi Isis :seeya:

What significance do you (or others) place on the report that TH would be interviewed for 'no longer than two hours'? Why the restriction?

 

[Brightbird]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...age-suspect-20140403-3601q.html#ixzz2yR0y4pQD

Hi Isis :seeya:

What significance do you (or others) place on the report that TH would be interviewed for 'no longer than two hours'? Why the restriction?

I'm going to guess it's something that his lawyer arranged. An agreement to interview so long as it's a set amount of time. But I'm no lawyer and might be way off.

 

[MsAnais]

It's an old post but, while I understand your skepticism, please do not suggest that Colleen is at any way at fault for Tom's actions. As someone very close to the Hemming family, I can assure you that Colleen has always been as supportive to Tom as any mother could possibly have been, still even now. And while his family life did not come without its fair share of bumps along the road, it was extremely far from "serious dysfunction".
It has already been stated by someone else, but I will reiterate the fact that this came to a total shock to everyone who knew Tom, including his parents and family. Personally, I didn't believe it until I saw his name in the newspaper, because it was just so unexpected.
To my surprise (and I'm sure many others), the neighborhood has been very supportive to both the Adamson and Hemming families, despite everything. If those living next to both the victims and the perpetrator, many of whom saw Tom grow up, can understand that Tom's actions were his own and in no way reflect on his parents or his upbringing, I'm sure you are able to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Hi Ozman :seeya: Thank you for your post - and for that insight into what those who know the Hemming's feel.

The last thing I want to do is to blame his parents - I'm sure this is a huge trauma for them and I feel great empathy for the position they are in. I really mean that.

And absolutely, Tom's actions were his own as you say. And there is no such thing as the perfect family or the perfect childhood- no one has a seamless upbringing.

However, I do find it extremely hard to believe that there were no warning signs of inner dysfunction in Tom. And finding out about the alleged fire lighting - over a prolonged period - confirms that.

Again however, that is not his parents fault. But I can't accept that somebody just one day woke up, out of the blue, and brutally slaughtered two people and there were no indicators in their childhood. That's all. JMO.

 

[MsAnais]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...age-suspect-20140403-3601q.html#ixzz2yR0y4pQD

Hi Isis :seeya:

What significance do you (or others) place on the report that TH would be interviewed for 'no longer than two hours'? Why the restriction?

That stood out to me as well.

My first thought was that it may be due to mental health issues and issues of attention span....but I don't know Tom's situation so I really don't know.

Probably tis just as Brightbird said - purely a legal thing. I've not come across such a stipulation before (but I'm no lawyer!!!)

Maybe a legal mind can clarify?? :seeya:

 

[SouthAussie]

Are lawyers allowed to dictate how long their client can be interviewed for? That would seem very odd.

I always had the impression that as long as the person being interviewed was taken care of humanely and decently (food/fluids/not over-tired/lawyer present if so desired) that interviews could go for quite a while .... especially if the person was already incarcerated.


I wonder how TH went from arson to violent murder? I guess it is all walking on the wrong side of the law, and I guess arson can become murder if people become caught in the fire. Perhaps it is some kind of disregard for human life and/or danger toward human life?

 

[MsAnais]

Are lawyers allowed to dictate how long their client can be interviewed for? That would seem very odd.

I always had the impression that as long as the person being interviewed was taken care of humanely and decently (food/fluids/not over-tired/lawyer present if so desired) that interviews could go for quite a while .... especially if the person was already incarcerated.


I wonder how TH went from arson to violent murder? I guess it is all walking on the wrong side of the law, and I guess arson can become murder if people become caught in the fire. Perhaps it is some kind of disregard for human life and/or danger toward human life?

As any psychologist who works with children and youth will tell you, arson is one of the most common signs of severe emotional disturbance in children.

Arson, bedwetting and hurting animals are the 'murder triad' - very common in murderers.

I'm not surprised at all that he has arson in his background.

And I'm sorry, but it goes against the 'all was well' story being put forward by supporters of his family.

 

[SouthAussie]

Detective Hupfeld said in evidence Mr Hemming has been identified as a suspect in criminal damage by fire on February 19 this year, as well as April 18, 2012, and March 13, 2011.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mu...#ixzz2yR0y4pQD

Robert and Cheryl Adamson
Passed away tragically on Wednesday February 19, 2014.
http://tributes.theage.com.au/obitua...?pid=169888366

BBM

Hmmm ... someone just pointed out to me that TH committed arson on the same day that he murdered Robert and Cheryl!!!

Arson then murder ... murder then arson? Police say unrelated? All was not well with this person.

The man charged with murdering Murrumbeena couple Robert and Cheryl Adamson will be interviewed by police over three unrelated allegations of criminal damage by fire.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...age-suspect-20140403-3601q.html#ixzz2yToepgGn

 

[enzeder]

That's interesting SouthAussie! - How creepy! :facepalm: "Unrelated"?.

 

[SouthAussie]

That's interesting SouthAussie! - How creepy! :facepalm: "Unrelated"?.

Seems unlikely that it was unrelated, doesn't it?! The arson may not have a direct link to the murders, but he must have been wound-up that day ... either before the murders, and surely after the murders. Wound-up enough to commit arson (and two horrific murders!)

Very destructive behaviour - and stemming from what exactly?

 

[MsAnais]

Seems unlikely that it was unrelated, doesn't it?! The arson may not have a direct link to the murders, but he must have been wound-up that day ... either before the murders, and surely after the murders. Wound-up enough to commit arson (and two horrific murders!)

Very destructive behaviour - and stemming from what exactly?

He would definitely have been wound up that day!

Arsonists typically get a sexual charge from lighting the fire and watching it.:facepalm: They feel powerful, omnipotent - all the things they don't feel in real life.

I wonder what led to such an explosion with the Adamson's though? What triggered it?

 

[enzeder]

Seems unlikely that it was unrelated, doesn't it?! The arson may not have a direct link to the murders, but he must have been wound-up that day ... either before the murders, and surely after the murders. Wound-up enough to commit arson (and two horrific murders!)

Very destructive behaviour - and stemming from what exactly?

All was not well with TH on February 19 that's for sure. imo :scared: