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

[stephaniejanes]

Day nine in Alesha MacPhail rape and murder trial.


Lord Matthews is currently directing the jury on their responsibilities.

Connor Gillies on Twitter

Thanks for posting updates and hope you're feeling better today.

 

[HayLouise]

Thanks for posting updates and hope you're feeling better today.

Thank you!

 

[HayLouise]

Lord Matthews tells the jury “sympathy for the accused or Alesha must play no part in your deliberations”.

Connor Gillies on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Lord Matthews points out to the jury that the voluntary consumption of drugs or alcohol by an accused is not a valid reason for committing an offence.

Fraser Knight on Twitter

 

[sunshine2019]

Heard this phrase recently "Some people seem so open minded it's as if there brains have fallen out." I can't think what more evidence would be needed.

Of course none of the actions make sense because what happened what motivated by intentions that thankfully should seem alien to any normal human the world over.

 

[HayLouise]

Lord Mathews tells the jury "Sympathy for the accused, Alesha or her family must not come into your decision making".


"At the end of the day your duty is to return a true verdict using only the evidence you’ve heard in court."

Radio Clyde News on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

10:26

Alesha's dad arrives

Alesha’s dad, Robert MacPhail, has also been pictured arriving at the High Court.

The schoolgirl had been staying in the house Mr MacPhail shared with her grandparents on the Isle of Bute when she was reported missing.

It was hours later that her body was discovered.

Alesha MacPhail jurors to be sent out in teenage boy's murder trial

 

[Thebutlerdiditagain]

Heard this phrase recently "Some people seem so open minded it's as if there brains have fallen out." I can't think what more evidence would be needed.

Of course none of the actions make sense because what happened what motivated by intentions that thankfully should seem alien to any normal human the world over.

Agree 100%
trying to make sense of people who do crimes like these is almost impossible as they are wired differently
trying to work them out is near impossible unless you are like them

 

[HayLouise]

10:31

KEY EVENT

Trial resumes

The trial has resumed.

Judge Lord Matthews is directing jurors on their responsibilities in the case.

Both Alesha’s mum and dad are in court for the hearing.

The jury will soon be sent out to consider their verdict.

Alesha MacPhail jurors to be sent out in teenage boy's murder trial

 

[HayLouise]

Addressing jury in the #Alesha MacPhail murder trial,Judge Lord Matthews tells them it’s their duty to return a true verdict according to the evidence, to bear in mind credibility & reliability of what witnesses had to say, sympathy for Alesha must play no part in deliberations

James Matthews on Twitter

 

[Marlinspike]

Heard this phrase recently "Some people seem so open minded it's as if there brains have fallen out." I can't think what more evidence would be needed.

To be fair, you have not been in the court and privy to all the evidence, so you can't make such a statement. You have seen second-hand reporting of some of the evidence.

And it's not being open-minded, it's called justice and due process.

 

[beseeingyou]

Motive was likely sexual aggression. No complex motive is required.

On lack of DNA evidence at accused home and victim's home. We have to remember the police check "key" areas, not inch by inch. Additionally, of course the scene of the crime will have far more cross between victim and accused than his home. She was never there, therefore it would have to be transference... I don't think there was significant amount of blood etc, so it's not like he had much to clean other than his body which is explained by the shower.

I would echo what others have said - we have to remember we are only getting snippets via Twitter. So of course we are not making a fully informed opinion vs that of a jury. However we are absolutely entitled to do that, we don't all have to follow jury rules in our personal lives and on WS.

I agree - of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. I don't have a problem with people saying they think he is guilty or not guilty or whatever, but there is a huge difference between having an opinion on the verdict and having what can only be described as 'enthusiasm' for condemnation.

The ripple effect of this case is substantial. At the centre of it is a poor 6 year old girl, but the effects radiate onwards and outwards - how would you feel if you were the accused's mother reading some of the things that are being said on here beyond what really needs to be said ?

Its a very sad case in all respects. It is good to discuss things but i really don't think we need this kind of opinions on steroids/condemnation stuff that has seemed apparent in the last few days.

 

[HayLouise]

Lord Matthews tells the jury “it’s accepted that the crime of murder was committed. It is not accepted the crimes of abduction or rape have been committed.”


He says it’s up to the jury to decide if these crimes were committed, and if it was the accused who carried them out.

Fraser Knight on Twitter

 

[Alyce]

Motive was likely sexual aggression. No complex motive is required.

On lack of DNA evidence at accused home and victim's home. We have to remember the police check "key" areas, not inch by inch. Additionally, of course the scene of the crime will have far more cross between victim and accused than his home. She was never there, therefore it would have to be transference... I don't think there was significant amount of blood etc, so it's not like he had much to clean other than his body which is explained by the shower.

I would echo what others have said - we have to remember we are only getting snippets via Twitter. So of course we are not making a fully informed opinion vs that of a jury. However we are absolutely entitled to do that, we don't all have to follow jury rules in our personal lives and on WS.

And in fact, several showers/clean ups, as he was not arrested until Wednesday evening.

 

[Taskforce88]

Lord Matthews tells the jury “it’s accepted that the crime of murder was committed. It is not accepted the crimes of abduction or rape have been committed.”


He says it’s up to the jury to decide if these crimes were committed, and if it was the accused who carried them out.

Fraser Knight on Twitter

Hmm, ok

 

[Thebutlerdiditagain]

To be fair, you have not been in the court and privy to all the evidence, so you can't make such a statement. You have seen second-hand reporting of some of the evidence.

And it's not being open-minded, it's called justice and due process.

I agree as we only get bits and pieces but also with the information that has been released I have not seen anything that helps the suspect or even casts doubt and it could have a flip side of even more damming evidence
I suppose we will know more when it is over

 

[sunshine2019]

To be fair, you have not been in the court and privy to all the evidence, so you can't make such a statement. You have seen second-hand reporting of some of the evidence.

And it's not being open-minded, it's called justice and due process.

I'm not questioning due process but rather the need in some for an elaborate motive that 'makes sense' of the senseless.

 

[Edinlass]

Lord Matthews tells the jury “it’s accepted that the crime of murder was committed. It is not accepted the crimes of abduction or rape have been committed.”


He says it’s up to the jury to decide if these crimes were committed, and if it was the accused who carried them out.

Fraser Knight on Twitter

Rape wasn’t committed? Am I missing something here?

 

[Marlinspike]

I agree as we only get bits and pieces but also with the information that has been released I have not seen anything that helps the suspect or even casts doubt and it could have a flip side of even more damming evidence
I suppose we will know more when it is over

I agree that there is very little in the public domain to suggest other than that the accused is responsible. However, there are still some very unclear areas of the case, which may or may not be being suppressed.

As you say, we will know more when it's over.

 

[Alyce]

Thank you!

seconded, good to see you back HayLouise