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

[Taskforce88]

.

 

[UKslueth2018]

Sun is shining and I should go out but here I am waiting...

Must be torture for her family

I lit a candle for her while we wait..

 

[Pooksthebear]

A special defence can be lodged anywhere up to 10 days before a trial commences, this again has been discussed previously

Special defence - Wikipedia

I suspect this was the case here. IMO

Seems so wrong to be able to blame someone else so close to trial when evidence could have been lost

 

[Edinlass]

Would they investigate the family alongside the accused though? That’s a genuine question not being rude or argumentative just they don’t have infinite resources xx

I would assume the family, friends or people close to the victim are all looked at. Bearing in mind the accused was only questioned after his mother handed over her CCTV footage. Someone previously gave a good in-sight into this r.e. DNA from people close to the victim and how they differentiate between a crime and just day to day DNA. Maybe someone could explain further as I don’t know enough to comment.

 

[Pooksthebear]

I genuinely believe if the police suspected TM of any involvement she would also have been arrested and charged IMO.

Yes I fully agree with you.

 

[Edinlass]

Seems so wrong to be able to blame someone else so close to trial when evidence could have been lost

I know, seems unfair. I understand everyone is entitled to a fair trial but I feel a special defence naming someone who has never been a suspect should be lodged well advance and should at the very least corroborate the accused’s initial statement.

 

[UKslueth2018]

I would assume the family, friends or people close to the victim are all looked at. Bearing in mind the accused was only questioned after his mother handed over her CCTV footage. Someone previously gave a good in-sight into this r.e. DNA from people close to the victim and how they differentiate between a crime and just day to day DNA. Maybe someone could explain further as I don’t know enough to comment.

Thanks for answering.. I deleted it as like you said they have to eliminate persons and then the accused mum put him in frame (which is whole different discussion) xx

 

[Pooksthebear]

I know, seems unfair. I understand everyone is entitled to a fair trial but I feel a special defence naming someone who has never been a suspect should be lodged well advance and should at the very least corroborate the accused’s initial statement.

Yes exactly, within a reasonable time frame to gather evidence.

 

[Taskforce88]

I would assume the family, friends or people close to the victim are all looked at. Bearing in mind the accused was only questioned after his mother handed over her CCTV footage. Someone previously gave a good in-sight into this r.e. DNA from people close to the victim and how they differentiate between a crime and just day to day DNA. Maybe someone could explain further as I don’t know enough to comment.

I suppose it would be the DNA found on her injuries that would be the clincher.

 

[Edinlass]

I suppose it would be the DNA found on her injuries that would be the clincher.

Yeah, those 117 horrific injuries. Poor baby.

 

[embro68]

14:40
Jury still out
The jury is still out, considering its verdict.

The judge earlier told jurors: “Sympathy for the accused, Alesha, members of the family or anyone else must play no part in your deliberations nor any preconceptions about the crime.”

The accused teenager denies the charges against him.
Alesha MacPhail jurors sent out in teenage boy's murder trial

 

[Sp45westie]

TM was never a POI and I would hope if police suspected anything they would have gone further. I doubt the special defence against her will change their position.

I know she wasn’t and I’m not saying for a minute I believe any of his lies as I believe they are just that complete and utter lies , personally for me the dna speaks for itself ,but I do know others who aren’t so convinced of his guilt and are highly suspicious of her so I’m assuming some of the jury could possibly be the same you just do not know what one person thinks from the next , but if it’s not guilty then will it be case closed for good that’s it all over and someone has gotten away with the rape and murder of a child .. that would be appaling .. I suppose we can’t really guess the answer to that either ... just have to sit patiently and wait ...

 

[UKslueth2018]

Yeah, those 117 horrific injuries. Poor baby.

And that is what should never be forgotten.. no child (or person) should ever ever have that happen to them.. xx

 

[UKslueth2018]

14:40
Jury still out
The jury is still out, considering its verdict.

The judge earlier told jurors: “Sympathy for the accused, Alesha, members of the family or anyone else must play no part in your deliberations nor any preconceptions about the crime.”

The accused teenager denies the charges against him.
Alesha MacPhail jurors sent out in teenage boy's murder trial

I do feel for the jurors be very hard to not feel emotion

 

[Pooksthebear]

Not sure if it’s a good thing or not that jury been out nearly 4 hours

 

[Taskforce88]

I know she wasn’t and I’m not saying for a minute I believe any of his lies as I believe they are just that complete and utter lies , personally for me the dna speaks for itself ,but I do know others who aren’t so convinced of his guilt and are highly suspicious of her so I’m assuming some of the jury could possibly be the same you just do not know what one person thinks from the next , but if it’s not guilty then will it be case closed for good that’s it all over and someone has gotten away with the rape and murder of a child .. that would be appaling .. I suppose we can’t really guess the answer to that either ... just have to sit patiently and wait ...

Yes, I get your point. If there were to be further investigations then everyone would be looked at again. It won't be case closed.

 

[embro68]

I do feel for the jurors be very hard to not feel emotion

Me too, I honestly think if it were me I would have found any excuse not to have to do it. I couldn't have sat through alot of the evidence.
Wouldn't mind being a fly on the wall right now though!

 

[Alyce]

I know she wasn’t and I’m not saying for a minute I believe any of his lies as I believe they are just that complete and utter lies , personally for me the dna speaks for itself ,but I do know others who aren’t so convinced of his guilt and are highly suspicious of her so I’m assuming some of the jury could possibly be the same you just do not know what one person thinks from the next , but if it’s not guilty then will it be case closed for good that’s it all over and someone has gotten away with the rape and murder of a child .. that would be appaling .. I suppose we can’t really guess the answer to that either ... just have to sit patiently and wait ...

No they will treat it as an open case and keep on investigating.
Although, just thinking back to other cases, they may add a comment to the effect that, at this time, they have no other suspect under investigation. A way of openly saying they believe the accused was guilty, without actually using those exact words.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Checking in for news wow they've been a fair few hours now

 

[UKslueth2018]

Me too, I honestly think if it were me I would have found any excuse not to have to do it. I couldn't have sat through alot of the evidence.
Wouldn't mind being a fly on the wall right now though!

I hear you on both points...!