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

[Bluedaisy100]

Seems that he's a poised and confident liar. Probably has been successful at this up to now which explains his cockiness. Also could explain his laughable defense that he thought a detached average person would find that scenario credible. I'm guessing he's gotten away with a lot up to now. Why a lawyer would present this with a straight face means he doesn't have much to work with.

 

[Bluedaisy100]

In the Scottish courtroom is the defendant seated with his counsel in plain sight, that is, without any screening? Can the people in the gallery observe him during others' testimony? Would the press and the public be allowed to talk about his demeanor now or even after he turns 18? I feel for his family and appreciate the mother turning over critical evidence to the police. Couldn't have been easy. Hopefully she'll be appreciated and not shunned for the actions of her son.

 

[SJ16321]

Unfortunately sane people carry out rotten crimes too. I would imagine he has been evaluated to stand trial, must have passed. He’s cocky, he thinks he could outsmart everyone. Saying things like ‘they won’t find any of my DNA’ is just what I would imagine a charming physcopath to come out with. The only treatment he deserves is the worst kind...

Absolutely, I think in simplistic terms the guy is downright evil, no doubt about that. I just feel from a child/public protection point of view we never learn anything from these horrific crimes. What on earth causes a by all accounts pretty normal teenager to rape and murder a small child and then show no remorse or acceptance of what they've done?

People absolutely need to be punished when they commit the most horrific crimes and they don't get much worse than murder especially against a child. However why aren't we getting in their heads and understanding what caused them to commit these outrageous crimes that the vast majority of people wouldn't even contemplate doing?

You can have all the tough sentences you want but realistically the only way to cut down on these crimes is to study why people commit them and focus on what early preventative action can be taken when someone shows signs they may be one of these people.

 

[neteditor]

Agree. This crime is SO horrific. I want him in jail for LIFE. He won't get it though. But he doesn't even deserve to be breathing.

Not wholly comparative, but Luke Mitchell (Jodi Jones murder) got life with a minimum of 20 years. He's probably not going to be released unless he admits he did it though. I personally do not think he did. But that's another rabbit hole to go down.

 

[Edinlass]

In the Scottish courtroom is the defendant seated with his counsel in plain sight, that is, without any screening? Can the people in the gallery observe him during others' testimony? Would the press and the public be allowed to talk about his demeanor now or even after he turns 18? I feel for his family and appreciate the mother turning over critical evidence to the police. Couldn't have been easy. Hopefully she'll be appreciated and not shunned for the actions of her son.

It’s not been stated if he’s behind a screen or not but TM was behind a screen when giving evidence. This was apparently so she didn’t have to face seeing him so I assume he is in plain sight. I don’t think his identity will ever be common knowledge and if god forbid he is ever released he will be protected with a new identity etc. Makes you sick eh. Regarding his reactions in court, I doubt it. Totally protected under this anyone under 18 law.

Nope it couldn’t have been easy for her atall. Part of me hoped during her evidence she just stood up and said take him away as he is evil to the core. Interesting to know if she’ll stand by her son when he is sent down, that’s when people’s perception of her would change imo, if she were to stick by him.

 

[Kasmeer]

Sadly Scotland doesn't have whole life sentencing, although even if it did, he's probably too young; the recent Russell Bishop case turned out he wasn't eligible for it because he was only 20 at the time of the double murder and only people aged 21+ can be sentenced to whole life in England. There does appear to be an Order for Lifelong Restriction though, which seems to not have any age restrictions and can be applied to anyone deemed suitably dangerous: Order for Lifelong Restriction - RMA - Risk Management Authority - presuming he's found guilty, I hope one of those is swiftly applied to him and used to keep him well away from society.

Hope some evidence comes along to explain how he got into the flat and removed Alesha without disturbing anyone though; that's the one sticking point for me at present, the CCTV suggests guilt is very likely, but I'd love to know just HOW he got her out. All credit to his mother for doing the right thing anyway, well done to her, it can't be easy at all to testify against your own son.

 

[Caroclaud]

It seems unbelievable that he just went to sleep after such a heinous crime and presumably slept like a baby, what a psycho.
I just cannot understand what has motivated him to commit such vile vile acts.

Will be interesting if he mentioned any of his plans to his sister or friends at the party, even as some sort of ‘joke’ in a drunken moment, wonder if they will be called to the stand as character witnesses?

 

[Alyce]

In the Scottish courtroom is the defendant seated with his counsel in plain sight, that is, without any screening? Can the people in the gallery observe him during others' testimony? Would the press and the public be allowed to talk about his demeanor now or even after he turns 18? I feel for his family and appreciate the mother turning over critical evidence to the police. Couldn't have been easy. Hopefully she'll be appreciated and not shunned for the actions of her son.

I don't think the journos will report this information, because of the anonymity set up.
However , TM gave evidence from behind a screen because quote - she didn't want to see the accused.
So, that would seem to indicate that he is in plain sight of the courtroom.

I expect, at the end of the trial, it will be up to the Judge as to whether or not to release his name ( whether guilty or not ) so, if the name is released, then I would imagine there will be some stories in the press.

that will teach me to read all posts before making one - Edinlass has just explained re the screen or lack of

 

[Taskforce88]

Not wholly comparative, but Luke Mitchell (Jodi Jones murder) got life with a minimum of 20 years. He's probably not going to be released unless he admits he did it though. I personally do not think he did. But that's another rabbit hole to go down.

Yep, the mysterious pupil who had written about a killing in an essay some weeks before the murder, which bore similarities to the Jodi Jones killing.

 

[Jason-d-h-1990]

JMO but if I had been accussed of having any part to play in such a heinous crime against a child let alone step child I would wholeheartedly want to look him right in the eye and give my answers.

After today's events it's hard to comprehend how the defence plan to move forward or how they will attempt to sow any seeds of doubt.

Going back to previous posts near the start of the thread and on msm wasn't there an uncle living at the grandparents home too?

 

[Taskforce88]

I guess the CCTV wont show much detail beyond the property that it is in

 

[beatrixpotter]

Just an observation, but there sure is a lot of homes with CCTV in Rothesay.

I wonder how common this is? We don't have them and have never actually considered it. But I know my neighbor has some. And I see talk frequently on the local neighborhood groups because people are always pulling out video to try and catch a "criminal". The most recent one was a video showing a guy as a warning about this "creepy man carrying a gun". It turns out the creepy man was playing Nerf with his kids and walked into a yard to retrieve one of those foam bullets.

 

[mrazda71]

Absolutely, I think in simplistic terms the guy is downright evil, no doubt about that. I just feel from a child/public protection point of view we never learn anything from these horrific crimes. What on earth causes a by all accounts pretty normal teenager to rape and murder a small child and then show no remorse or acceptance of what they've done?

People absolutely need to be punished when they commit the most horrific crimes and they don't get much worse than murder especially against a child. However why aren't we getting in their heads and understanding what caused them to commit these outrageous crimes that the vast majority of people wouldn't even contemplate doing?

You can have all the tough sentences you want but realistically the only way to cut down on these crimes is to study why people commit them and focus on what early preventative action can be taken when someone shows signs they may be one of these people.

I agree ... I've read a lot about the most infamous case of all, James Bulgers murder and I'll be honest - I've already said here that, this case is far worse in my opinion.

I read The Sleep of Reason by David James Smith which very much gives an insight into how that day came to be - Thompson was neglected and dragged up in absolute poverty, abused in all ways by family members but Venables was raised in a seemingly 'normal' family and yet was 'unhinged' even at a young age ...

I wouldn't be at ALL surprised if this boy had a keen interest (if that's what you can call it) in violent Pornography.

My tips for less crimes -

Stop making children live in poverty irrelevant of their parents working or not.

Value the role of stay at home parent - kids are rarely raised by parents these days - as young as 6 weeks old and some are off to a nursery/childcare because parents have to just to afford basic bills. Childcare providers, no matter how good are no replacement for a parent raising a child in its own home.

Serious independant research needs to be done on the effects of cannabis use, especially in young peoples growing brains (personally, ideal world - I'd wipe out illegal drugs and limit alcohol too) - people who use weed always say "deeeerrr well weed don't kill no one" well, in this case it certainly played a part in Aleshas murder from 2 aspects!

Ban Pornography! especially the online stuff and the violent stuff.

Paedophiles and violent rapists - lock them up for life!

 

[Ironside]

Not wholly comparative, but Luke Mitchell (Jodi Jones murder) got life with a minimum of 20 years. He's probably not going to be released unless he admits he did it though. I personally do not think he did. But that's another rabbit hole to go down.

I was thinking today about how mums usually cover up for their sons and LM's mums behaviour did actually spring to mind.

I'm really impressed with the accused's mum. Her testimony is so damning.

 

[molly67]

It's a very controversial and emotive subject but I definitely think there's an argument that anyone who could carry out an act like this against a small child is mentally ill in some form or another and should be locked away indefinitely or until treatment is complete (if treatment is possible).

In the Scottish courtroom is the defendant seated with his counsel in plain sight, that is, without any screening? Can the people in the gallery observe him during others' testimony? Would the press and the public be allowed to talk about his demeanor now or even after he turns 18? I feel for his family and appreciate the mother turning over critical evidence to the police. Couldn't have been easy. Hopefully she'll be appreciated and not shunned for the actions of her son.

I wonder if the Mother is still living there ... the whole Island must know who he is.

 

[Caroclaud]

Makes you wonder what kind of life the Mum has led, and what the Accused might have subjected her to, for her to proactively call in the police and turn her son in, she acted very quickly in the circumstances.

I’m sure most people would wrestle with their conscience for days and wouldn’t turn their own child in regardless of what they’d done. Perhaps she had an idea that he was involved from the argument/ the comings and goings/ showering and deep down knew he was involved before watching the CCTV.

 

[Taskforce88]

I agree ... I've read a lot about the most infamous case of all, James Bulgers murder and I'll be honest - I've already said here that, this case is far worse in my opinion.

I read The Sleep of Reason by David James Smith which very much gives an insight into how that day came to be - Thompson was neglected and dragged up in absolute poverty, abused in all ways by family members but Venables was raised in a seemingly 'normal' family and yet was 'unhinged' even at a young age ...

I wouldn't be at ALL surprised if this boy had a keen interest (if that's what you can call it) in violent Pornography.

My tips for less crimes -

Stop making children live in poverty irrelevant of their parents working or not.

Value the role of stay at home parent - kids are rarely raised by parents these days - as young as 6 weeks old and some are off to a nursery/childcare because parents have to just to afford basic bills. Childcare providers, no matter how good are no replacement for a parent raising a child in its own home.

Serious independant research needs to be done on the effects of cannabis use, especially in young peoples growing brains (personally, ideal world - I'd wipe out illegal drugs and limit alcohol too) - people who use weed always say "deeeerrr well weed don't kill no one" well, in this case it certainly played a part in Aleshas murder from 2 aspects!

Ban Pornography! especially the online stuff and the violent stuff.

Paedophiles and violent rapists - lock them up for life!

I agree with everything you posted 100%.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

IMO, no. There would be a string of messages on whatever social media platform they apparently spoke on. Also why would the accused contact RM if he was meeting his partner in that capacity. On top of that the idea of someone getting out of the bed they share with their partner and leaving the house to have sex with someone else then returning to bed undetected, seems harder to grasp that someone abducting a sleeping child from a house with 4 adults undetected.
Also not sure where the accused is suggesting that TM had time to carry out any of this given she was allegedly having sex with him in a shed then had time to return home, abduct Alesha, etc etc all between 2am and 6am.
However that doesn't exclude the possibility that at some point they had some form of relationship however again I am inclined to doubt that as the impression I am under is that TM is connected to the accuseds family (because accused mum requested they stop selling him cannibus throw TM suggesting a link)
Another point .... If this is the safe place where people leave their doors unlocked etc why does the accuseds mum have CCTV? Just a thought

Share your thoughts about the mum asking TONI to stop specifically and also the cctv!

 

[Alyce]

From The Mail - nothing we havent already heard apart from these two comments

Photographs shown of the knife block showed it had space for five knives, but two were missing.


This comment relates to the mother of the accused

When asked by judge Lord Matthews if she wanted to watch the trial continue, she said: 'No, I think I won't


Pathologist 'had never seen anything like' injuries found on body of Alesha MacPhail | Daily Mail Online

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Connor Gillies‏Verified account @ConnorGillies

Accused’s mother was awoken at 7.20am by shouting in the street. It was people looking for Alesha. Mother checked back garden. Mother entered accused’s bedroom and asked if he knew anything about Alesha’s disappearance. He replied “no” and went back to sleep.

bbm

There's a strange question to ask your own child