UK - Alesha MacPhail, 6, raped & murdered, Ardbeg, Isle of Bute, Scotland, 2 Jul 2018 -*arrest* #3

[HayLouise]

12:05

Prosecution withdraws a charge against accused

The prosecution has withdrawn a charge against the accused.

The 16-year-old is no longer charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Mr McSporran has started his closing address to jurors.

Alesha MacPhail's dad's girlfriend 'told pal girl, 6, was "in better place"'

 

[Alyce]

Prosecution have withdrawn charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice .. in relation to clothing. Does this mean they believe his story of the joggers and pier jumping?

No I think it just means they can't conclusively prove that it was the accused who put them into the sea, so Prosecution thinks it is better not to have the Jury arguing to and fro about this detail, much better to keep them focused on the main, indisputable forensic evidence.

 

[Pooksthebear]

I have an awful feeling he may get off with this now the prosecution have withdrawn the charge of disposing of clothes

 

[Yenriac]

Omg that’s it , and why are some of the charges being dropped b4 the jury even get to decide on

The prosecution may now think they haven't proven that charge effectively therefore they'll withdraw it. It may be because no DNA evidence was found in the accused's home. Therefore they cannot prove he was trying to defeat the ends of justice by showering afterwards.

 

[HayLouise]

James Matthews‏Verified account @jamesmatthewsky

Advocate-depute in closing address: “There is so much evidence in this case that the only true verdict is one of guilty” #alesha @SkyNews

 

[Alyce]

Is this in relation to the hoody discarded in the police skip?

No that item was never considered, because they didnt do any forensics on it.

 

[HayLouise]

Radio Clyde News‏Verified account @RadioClydeNews

The prosecutor in the Alesha MacPhail murder trial has started his closing speech. Mr McSporran said; "[The boy] is innocent. He is innocent because the law presumes him innocent." "Only you pronouncing his guilt will allow that presumption to be removed."

 

[Taskforce88]

I have an awful feeling he may get off with this now the prosecution have withdrawn the charge of disposing of clothes

The DNA on the body will convince them towards guilty I believe.

 

[HayLouise]

Lorna Gordon‏Verified account @bbclornag

Iain McSporran QC addressing the jury on behalf of the prosecution in Alesha McPhail trial: there is so much evidence in this case the only true verdict is guilty.

 

[Tortoise]

I suppose he didn't destroy the joggers/boxer shorts by throwing them into the sea. I think they would have to prove he succeeded in hiding evidence IMO, but they were recovered.

 

[HayLouise]

Lorna Gordon‏Verified account @bbclornag

Calls on the jury to set aside any prejudices and emotions as they consider the evidence.

 

[Alyce]

I have an awful feeling he may get off with this now the prosecution have withdrawn the charge of disposing of clothes

No chance. The forensics on Alesha's body are compelling.

 

[Taskforce88]

Who is the judge again?

 

[HayLouise]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

McSporran says it is one of “the very worst cases” to ever come before a jury.

 

[Alyce]

Interesting that they seem to be moving on fast with the Closing arguments. I had thought they would break for early lunch and then begin this afternoon.
This says to me that both Closings might get done today - so they are not going to be overly long.

 

[HayLouise]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Advocate Depute: “This must have been one of the worst cases to have to come and sit through as a jury”

 

[Yenriac]

Who is the judge again?

Lord Matthews

 

[Taskforce88]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

McSporran says it is one of “the very worst cases” to ever come before a jury.

The worst in recent UK legal history.

 

[Taskforce88]

Lord Matthews

Cheers

 

[HayLouise]

Lorna Gordon‏Verified account @bbclornag

Crown (prosecution) QC says to the jury this must be one of the very worst cases you could have heard, you have heard dreadful evidence in words, and sometimes in pictures.