UK - Alesha MacPhail, 6, raped & murdered, Ardbeg, Isle of Bute, Scotland, 2 Jul 2018 -teen arrested

[HayLouise]

11:03KEY EVENT

Pathologist noted 117 injuries on Alesha's body

Dr Williams said he noted 117 injuries on Alesha’s body during his examination.

He stressed that not all of those would have bene “blows inflicted” and that some could have been caused by the surroundings in which her body was found.

The pathologist said injuries were consistent with pressure having been applied to Alesha’s neck and face.

Alesha MacPhail was aged six when she died (Image: Daily Record)

Alesha MacPhail's body had 117 injuries - but her bare feet were unmarked

 

[Taskforce88]

Bare feet unmarked. So that may indicate she was carried or taken without walking.

 

[embro68]

Bit in Bold - It is evidence though, however much weight they want to attribute to it. I would attach weight to it as a juror - he admitted to the police he took drugs so why not admit to having sex?

In my experience of working with young people they will often boost to the police about things like smoking cannibus when they know they won't get charged for it.
Perhaps he will claim she made him promise not to tell anyone because she was being unfaithful and at the time he didnt realise why she actually didnt want him not to tell anyone so he went along with it. He was being interviewed as a witness not an accused at that point. It's out there but only took me a few mins to come up with a semi plausible story and he has had months.

 

[HayLouise]

James Matthews‏Verified account @jamesmatthewsky

Trial of 16 year-old boy accused of rape & murder of 6 yr-old Alesha MacPhail, which he denies, hears evidence from pathologist Dr John Williams. Tells court of a “picture of their having been pressure applied to Alesha’s neck and face.”

 

[HayLouise]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

Dr Williams says Alesha died from “significant forceful pressure to neck and face” Agrees he has not witnessed similar injuries to private parts ever before.

bbm

 

[Taskforce88]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

Dr Williams says Alesha died from “significant forceful pressure to neck and face” Agrees he has not witnessed similar injuries to private parts ever before.

bbm

So if he hasn't witnessed similar injuries does this point to something different happening in this case?

 

[Taskforce88]

The defence may use this to back up the foreign object claim

 

[mrazda71]

So if he hasn't witnessed similar injuries does this point to something different happening in this case?

He might not see a lot of Necrophilia rapes of 6 year old children, even in his profession.

I hope he never is allowed free ever again!

So many people 25+ years later still filled with hate and vengeance for James Bulgers killers and this is far worse in my opinion.

This Accused reminds me of Jamie Reynolds who killed Georgia Williams (a friend of my daughter) he was over 16 but got a whole life sentence, upheld.

Do we know what a possible sentence is in Scotland?

 

[HayLouise]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

*Warning*

Dr Williams says Alesha WAS alive (for an unknown time) while being sexually attacked.

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

*Content warning*

Dr Williams tells the jury injuries suggest Alesha was alive for at least part of the time she was being sexually assaulted.

 

[HayLouise]

Fraser Knight‏ @Fraser_Knight

Dr Williams tells the court injuries to Alesha MacPhail’s body were consistent with “inflicted trauma” - he says injuries would suggest she was smothered.

bbm

 

[Edinlass]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

*Warning*

Dr Williams says Alesha WAS alive (for an unknown time) while being sexually attacked.

This is what I didn’t want to hear. That poor girl.

 

[HayLouise]

James Matthews‏Verified account @jamesmatthewsky

Pathologist at trial of 16 year-old accused of murdering Alesha MacPhail says post mortem findings consistent with whatever happened to Alesha happening in area where her body was found.

bbm

 

[Edinlass]

He might not see a lot of Necrophilia rapes of 6 year old children, even in his profession.

I hope he never is allowed free ever again!

So many people 25+ years later still filled with hate and vengeance for James Bulgers killers and this is far worse in my opinion.

This Accused reminds me of Jamie Reynolds who killed Georgia Williams (a friend of my daughter) he was over 16 but got a whole life sentence, upheld.

Do we know what a possible sentence is in Scotland?

I’m hoping not leniant like other cases. Given that he’s pleaded not guilty with a ridiculous defence I am assuming the judge will take this into account also, not wise on the suspects part.

 

[Taskforce88]

He might not see a lot of Necrophilia rapes of 6 year old children, even in his profession.

I hope he never is allowed free ever again!

So many people 25+ years later still filled with hate and vengeance for James Bulgers killers and this is far worse in my opinion.

This Accused reminds me of Jamie Reynolds who killed Georgia Williams (a friend of my daughter) he was over 16 but got a whole life sentence, upheld.

Do we know what a possible sentence is in Scotland?

It's possible when this is over other details will emerge. There were claims of earlier incidents that were 'covered-up'.

 

[HayLouise]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

Dr Williams says it is possible some injuries could have been inflicted after death.

 

[HayLouise]

11:27KEY EVENT

Alesha 'died as a result of significant forceful pressure to her neck and face'

Dr Williams told the court Alesha died “as a result of significant forceful pressure to her neck and face... the inflicted trauma is consistent with manual gripping of the neck and face with hand(s) ie smothering”.

The pathologist added the injuries to Alesha’s body “were to an extent beyond anything he has examined before in his profession”.

He said it was difficult to determine and exact time of death.

Alesha MacPhail's body had 117 injuries - but her bare feet were unmarked

 

[mrazda71]

I'm feeling a great deal of empathy for his Mum right now too ...

If an earlier incident was covered up she will be feeling even more guilt ...

She did the right thing calling police and showing them her CCTV but I'm sure it was still hard for her.

Most criminals are made by circumstance - I believe this to be the case for Robert Thompson and some are born, not 'evil' but certainly not wired right in the brain like Venables, Reynolds and this boy.

 

[Edinlass]

I'm feeling a great deal of empathy for his Mum right now too ...

If an earlier incident was covered up she will be feeling even more guilt ...

She did the right thing calling police and showing them her CCTV but I'm sure it was still hard for her.

Most criminals are made by circumstance - I believe this to be the case for Robert Thompson and some are born, not 'evil' but certainly not wired right in the brain like Venables, Reynolds and this boy.

Yes, mix a not so correctly wired brain with cannabis. I truly believe cannabis can do more damage than some class A’s if there is already a mental disposition.

I feel for his mum aswell.

I find it crazy no-one heard him or her if she was carried, he must have threatened her with the knife to stay quiet...

 

[Joannieanderson]

I'm feeling a great deal of empathy for his Mum right now too ...

If an earlier incident was covered up she will be feeling even more guilt ...

She did the right thing calling police and showing them her CCTV but I'm sure it was still hard for her.

Most criminals are made by circumstance - I believe this to be the case for Robert Thompson and some are born, not 'evil' but certainly not wired right in the brain like Venables, Reynolds and this boy.

I've heard that there was an earlier incident but nothing has been confirmed or spoken about. Any idea if this was true or just rumours

 

[Alyce]

11:27KEY EVENT

Alesha 'died as a result of significant forceful pressure to her neck and face'

Dr Williams told the court Alesha died “as a result of significant forceful pressure to her neck and face... the inflicted trauma is consistent with manual gripping of the neck and face with hand(s) ie smothering”.

The pathologist added the injuries to Alesha’s body “were to an extent beyond anything he has examined before in his profession”.

He said it was difficult to determine and exact time of death.

Alesha MacPhail's body had 117 injuries - but her bare feet were unmarked

I am a bit surprised - the time frame is only 9 hours or so ? - I would have thought he could narrow it to within a few hours.