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

[Alyce]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

Witness is asked “is there any room for you being wrong?” She replies “no”.

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

During cross examination the witness admits she only “got a glimpse” of Toni. Witness says it is “possible” she could now be mistaken that it was in fact Toni. Witness also says the man was wearing “wrap around shades” so she couldn’t see his eyes.

Oh for goodness sake ! I know people get nervous in the witness box but that is a huge turn around !

 

[Owlpellet]

"Prosecution reminds court both Toni and Robert deny being out of the house that night."

So that potentially puts the credibility of both RM and TM to the test.

Maybe they went downstairs for a cigarette.

 

[HayLouise]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Witness tells the court Toni Mclachlan was in her house a few days after Alesha had died. She says Toni said something along the lines of “she’s in a better place” which she says seemed a bit odd to her and her boyfriend.

 

[Yenriac]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

Witness says in days after death Toni was in at her house. She claims Toni said “she’s in a better place” when referring to Alesha’s death.

JMO but generally when someone has died it's what people say. I don't think that means anything at all.

 

[Hhp28]

Not really.
The Defence do have to do everything they can to undermine the Prosecution case. The fact that it would appear both RM and TM have lied, or at the very least have been a bit economical with the truth, choosing to leave out the fact that they were outside at 11pm ( if indeed they were ) does point to credibility with the remainder of their evidence.
Having said that, it still cannot wipe out the overwhelming evidence against the accused in respect of Alesha's murder. So it may leave some of the Jury with a less than impressed view of RM and TM, but it shouldnt stop them bringing in a guilty verdict based on the very clear evidence against the accused.

Yes he absolutely has to be given a fair trial with the defence doing everything they can, no doubt about that.

My wording is perhaps not great, what I mean is it isn't particularly damning for me personally. As you say, particularly coupled with the evidence on the accused.

If they have lied it is stupid and could cast some doubts.

 

[Edinlass]

JMO but generally when someone has died it's what people say. I don't think that means anything at all.

Exactly. A better place than this world surrounded by the likes of the accused.

 

[Deufin]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Witness tells the court Toni Mclachlan was in her house a few days after Alesha had died. She says Toni said something along the lines of “she’s in a better place” which she says seemed a bit odd to her and her boyfriend.

“Along the lines of” is pretty vague? The wording of something like that can completely change the suitability of the comment

 

[mrazda71]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Witness tells the court Toni Mclachlan was in her house a few days after Alesha had died. She says Toni said something along the lines of “she’s in a better place” which she says seemed a bit odd to her and her boyfriend.

I've heard that phrase used after a death many, many times!

 

[HayLouise]

Heart Scotland News‏ @HeartScotNews

When asked what she thought Toni and Alesha’s relationship was like, she tells the defence “they were happy and they got on really well. Toni was good to her.” Says she had no concerns about what Toni thought of Alesha.

 

[Hhp28]

Yes I don’t believe TM had anything to do with what happened to Alesha I just struggle to understand why, in the middle of a murder enquiry for your own flesh and blood (RMs) would you lie about being out arguing in the street. It’s really quite selfish IMO

If they have lied I agree. As a member of the jury you may wonder why they would lie about that if it wasn't relevant to their daughters death.

 

[Taskforce88]

Yes he absolutely has to be given a fair trial with the defence doing everything they can, no doubt about that.

My wording is perhaps not great, what I mean is it isn't particularly damning for me personally. As you say, particularly coupled with the evidence on the accused.

If they have lied it is stupid and could cast some doubts.

If they did lie, why would they do that when his kid had been kidnapped and murdered? Surely getting it all out and seeking the truth is far more important?

 

[Alyce]

JMO but generally when someone has died it's what people say. I don't think that means anything at all.

I agree....plus, family ( including Toni ) would have known by this time, the terrible results of the autopsy. So to my mind, she meant Alesha is at peace now, no more suffering.

 

[Hhp28]

I was just pointing out what a mess the trial appears to be.

Yes totally got that. Apologies if it came across as I didn't. I'm trying to make sense of if they have lied or not in my own head really. It's hard to get your head around if they have it really is.

 

[HayLouise]

11:12

KEY EVENT

Ms McLachlan 'had bad feeling' about accused

Ms McLachlan told a pal she had a “bad feeling” about the accused after Alesha vanished, the court hears.

Friend Lindsay Calderwood, 20, is now giving evidence at the High Court.

She says she was out searching for Alesha with Ms McLachlan after the youngster disappeared.

She tells jurors Ms McLachlan said, “I have a bad feeling”, about the teenager, as they searched.

The alleged comment was made before Alesha’s body was discovered.

Ms Calderwood has been described as a “good friend” of Ms McLachlan.

Boy accused of murdering Alesha MacPhail, 6, denies rape

 

[SOMETHINGWILLDO]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Witness tells the court Toni Mclachlan was in her house a few days after Alesha had died. She says Toni said something along the lines of “she’s in a better place” which she says seemed a bit odd to her and her boyfriend.

You say this when someone has suffered a long illness. You say this when someone dies after having a poor quality of life. You do not say this when a 6 year old child has been brutally murdered.

 

[beseeingyou]

If they did lie, why would they do that when his kid had been kidnapped and murdered? Surely getting it all out and seeking the truth is far more important?

People generally lie to the Police during interview about such things if they are trying to conceal something else.

 

[HayLouise]

11:16

Ms McLachlan 'told pal Alesha is "in a better place"'

Ms Calderwood tells the court Ms McLachlan was at her home in the days after Alesha’s death.

She claims her friend said something along the lines of “she’s in a better place” .

She was referring to the tragic youngster, the court hears.

Ms McLachlan told a pal Alesha was "in a better place", the court has heard (Image: Internet Unknown)

Boy accused of murdering Alesha MacPhail, 6, denies rape

 

[Hhp28]

If they did lie, why would they do that when his kid had been kidnapped and murdered? Surely getting it all out and seeking the truth is far more important?

I agree. It would be far more important to tell the truth.

 

[Bustia]

If they did lie, why would they do that when his kid had been kidnapped and murdered? Surely getting it all out and seeking the truth is far more important?

It seems like they have been forthcoming with other information that you would think they would like to keep private like the drug dealing and watching the night she died. Could be wrong but I’m leaning towards the neighbour perhaps being correct but I would like to know if she did phone the police and I do not believe the testimony of the witness in the car, she done a total turnaround as soon as she was questioned.

 

[beseeingyou]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Witness tells the court Toni Mclachlan was in her house a few days after Alesha had died. She says Toni said something along the lines of “she’s in a better place” which she says seemed a bit odd to her and her boyfriend.

You say this when someone has suffered a long illness. You say this when someone dies after having a poor quality of life. You do not say this when a 6 year old child has been brutally murdered.

Exactly.