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

[Gallicrow]

I found it telling that that the defence had no evidence at all about the alleged affair between TM and the accused. Given their age someone would have known about this IMO, especially on a small island. No evidence of texts, social media correspondence.

Conversely, if the prosecution didn't know that this was going to be an issue before the start of the trial, then they had no time to find witnesses or otherwise build a case that this affair was just a figment of the boy's fevered imagination.

 

[beseeingyou]

I wondered that too...

I'm curious as to whether the 14 points with DNA traces were all related to semen. If someone did plant semen from a used condom it wouldn't be that far fetched to think that some kind of residue from doing so (ie the fingers/hands) could end up coming into contact at these points. It could be a very small amount on each location.

 

[Ciana]

Assume the first witness is indeed a neighbour then. Is this all the defence have, so what if RM & TM were having an arguement, everyone argues.

Hmmm...beaten up sounds a bit more extreme. Find it so hard to believe as it’s not as if they lived alone, it was his parents home.

Witness said that it went on for a period of around 3 months and that she spoke with R's parents about it.

 

[Edinlass]

Witness said that it went on for a period of around 3 months and that she spoke with R's parents about it.

This was before it was said about the parents, I was too quick at posting.

 

[Gardenista]

Well all
This case has highlighted to me is criminals need not worry about social media as the keystone cops haven’t a clue. I’m actually furious as a taxpayer that they are so incompetent. A case as important as this and they don’t have the resources.

I would feel the same if I was you, but I'd also add the prosecutor in the mix. Of course, it is hard to judge without video, but he didn't seem too impressive when he questioned the accused.

 

[Badabing]

Someone may well have known - it doesn't mean that they would definitely want to admit to knowing where a murder trial is concerned.

Not so sure, I think at least one person would have came forward given the seriousness of it. Her friend today had no problem discussing their conversations. I think the reality is there wasn’t that much to tell about TM, If there was I’m confident that defence would have found it.

 

[Ironside]

I found it telling that that the defence had no evidence at all about the alleged affair between TM and the accused. Given their age someone would have known about this IMO, especially on a small island. No evidence of texts, social media correspondence.

The defence don't actually have to give proof of anything though. A few texts would have certainly helped the affair defence though.

If I was a juror I'd go for guilty however I think the defence have done great with what they had to work with so I wouldn't be shocked if this ends up not proven.

 

[angeldust]

Woul

Witness said that it went on for a period of around 3 months and that she spoke with R's parents about it.

Wouldn’t you just call the police She sat and let a 17 year old get beat up screaming call the police but she never

 

[angeldust]

I would feel the same if I was you, but I'd also add the prosecutor in the mix. Of course, it is hard to judge without video, but he didn't seem too impressive when he questioned the accused.

Yeah him too I wasn’t there but if I was I’d have wanted to slap him and say are you sleeping ?

 

[JosieJo]

Although the source of DNA on wrists and face etc could not be shown I'd say it's more likely from restraint...which is why I feel its damning

 

[Ciana]

What bearing does this have on the murder of Alesha? I could understand if the special defence was implicating the father but it's the girlfriend? Is it just to nake TM look a liar and cast doubt on her character as she said he never hit her?

It tests the credibility of witness.

 

[Hoolah]

First post. Been reading with interest and really hope justice is done. Scientific evidence enough for me.

I’m interested to see how Lord Matthews sums up and directs the jury. I hadn’t realised that he was the Judge in the 2014 Angus Sinclair case, who originally sexually assaulted and murdered a 7 year old when he was 16, only to be set free after six years and kill multiple times again.

Serial killer jailed for 37 years

 

[Tricia]

Hey Everyone,

Please stop discussing other people's Facebook pages.

Thank you,
Tricia

 

[Nikynoo]

Can I post who it is? His identity is no secret, evil little thing I'm looking at his YouTube right now!

No - you will be in contempt of court and looking at jail time!!
Woman arrested for 'revealing ID' of teen charged with killing Alesha MacPhail

 

[Edinlass]

We don’t want to know who the accused is, he’s a worthless .

 

[neteditor]

First post. Been reading with interest and really hope justice is done. Scientific evidence enough for me.

I’m interested to see how Lord Matthews sums up and directs the jury. I hadn’t realised that he was the Judge in the 2014 Angus Sinclair case, who originally sexually assaulted and murdered a 7 year old when he was 16, only to be set free after six years and kill multiple times again.

Serial killer jailed for 37 years

Robert Black was also a known serial offender yet escaped for years.

 

[Ciana]

The fact there are people in the community willing to form part of his defense has surprised me greatly.

If they provided this information when the investigation was underway and then were later called upon to form part of the accuseds defence, are they duty bound to do so? Sorry I sound really naive I'm just unsure of the processes.

They may be witnesses for defence, but not necessarily support the accused. And yes, they would be compelled to provide this information in court if called by either prosecution or defence. It would be completely wrong to withhold information, don't you think? Everyone is entitled to a fair trial, it is the law, whether you believe the accused to be g or not.

 

[Ruthbullock]

Woul



Wouldn’t you just call the police She sat and let a 17 year old get beat up screaming call the police but she never

His parents asked her not to as they were about to start a custody battle - if she is friends with his parents I would imagine she wouldn’t report it and assume they would sort it.

 

[Ciana]

So irrelevant to this case tbh. Yes she may have lied about the abuse but the girl is going through enough what with her being accused of a heinous crime.

She took an oath to tell the truth. The issue of custody, sadly, is no longer an issue. She would have been aware that witnesses were to be called to provide evidence at odds to what she was stating.

 

[SJ16321]

I have a great albeit begrudging respect for the defence guy. He's done an amazing job considering the little he's got to work with and the farcical special defence.

He's got it spot on about the "cyber expert". I do wonder if he's truly an expert or it's just a police staff member who's gone on a course who they now call an expert. His knowledge was abysmal going by the bits we got to hear.