Deceased/Not Found UK - April Jones, 5, Machynlleth, Wales, 1 Oct 2012 #7 *M. Bridger guilty*

[Sarahlou]

I can't wrap my head around the fact that they arrested him the next day or so and made the comment that there was no indication of blood in his house at first sight and that it took special procedures to find blood residue which led them to a blood stain on the underside of the carpet. Yesterday, my daughter spilled nail polish on the carpet, completely different I know but, I tried everything and tried for hours to get it up and it is still there. How could he get a puddle of blood up so fast and completely get rid of "surface" evidence if there was so much blood there? Had he done this before? It makes me wonder.

Did you see the colour of the carpet? A rather convenient colour. Although it would still look like a big wet patch
. If it was a light carpet then I don't see how he could have got rid of all the visual surface evidence. But obviously he did a good job at cleaning up, on the surface at least.

I do wonder what other crimes he's committed. This can't be his first surely?

 

[Sarah]

I agree that it should have been picked up when the footage was reviewed but if it was something of importance or in relation to April then surely it would have been mentioned?, also if it was nothing then why did he throw it away the way he did, im thinking the way a dealer dumps stash,or the way a thief would dump a wallet, he threw it quickly too.

Having looked at the maps, and read some more on his siting with a black bag, im absolutely convinced that black bag was in relation to April and that she is within 2 miles of Ceinws. i actually think somewhere of of the road that's at the front of his cottage heading towards the village south of Ceinws (Plas-Llwyn-Gwen).

No doubt at all in my mind that it was something relevant. I can think of no other reason for him to discard it so sneakily.
And if we've seen it, given the scale of the investigation and the size of the search I just can't imagine that they wouldn't have spotted it on the video and searched that area for whatever it was.
Perhaps we'll hear something about it later in the trial???

I'm not sure that I want to put my other thoughts about it into words, but I can't help dwelling on the bone fragments found in the fire.
If (and I'm by no means sure that it is) but if he was disposing of human remains in small pieces then I don't necessarily think there would be anything left to find in a search after animal scavengers had done their bit.
Sorry for the mental imagery - I've tried to phrase that as tactfully as I can.

In complete agreement with you about the black bag too.

 

[agme28]

I find it really chilling and eerie to see the smoke rising from Bridger's chimney as he coolly walks his dog down the hill. I suspect this is a very dangerous, delusional individual to whom lying has become second nature. I hope he gets put away for a very long time as he is surely a danger to society.

 

[veggiefan]

The most significant thing for me in that video is the way that MB does not look up towards the helicopter. It's a quiet and narrow valley, and it would have been totally obvious to him that it was hovering overhead as part of the search for April. For that reason, I don't think that whatever he threw away was of any significance, as he would be aware that he was being watched.

 

[ScotsPaddy]

The most significant thing for me in that video is the way that MB does not look up towards the helicopter. It's a quiet and narrow valley, and it would have been totally obvious to him that it was hovering overhead as part of the search for April. For that reason, I don't think that whatever he threw away was of any significance, as he would be aware that he was being watched.

Hi Veggiefan, for me its the way he threw the item away, its really bugging me, ive watched the video several times and im sure he left the house with whatever it was he threw, why not lob it in a bin at home or in the fire? also the way hes walking, hard to explain but i do the same when a copper passes me (not that im doing wrong!).

Ive also been looking at laybyes(sp?) on the road leading from his cottage and the one obvious one has what looks like either a stream or field run off that leads to the bigger stream. But there are a couple, and each of them are only a field away from running water.

Also just down the road at the next village to the east of the Centre of Alternate Energy is what looks like a reservoir or fille in quarry?.

Lol i dunno, my heads spinning.

 

[marlywings]

Can someone else have a wee nosey at this video please,between 16-18 seconds and tell me if you see anything.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/april-jones-murder-trial-video-3407469

Also having found the cottage in Ceinws on google maps that he stayed in, his comment that he had looked everywhere for April apart from down from his house is really bugging me.
The direction he is walking with his dog is 'down from his house' and looking on maps its all downhill from the cottage, zooming out a bit on maps and i can see areas where he could easily dump the remains, or bits of the remains. Also not far for him to 'visit' the spot also.
Apologies if this makes no sense but im struggling to type what im thinking, i am thinking Aprils just down the road from the cottage. Also walking the dog gives him the opportunity for him to see if anything is visible.

Id also like to know where he was spotted with the black bin bag?.

Re the bin bag. He was spotted at a lay-by which was close to a river. The thought of it is just so horrific to dwell on but I think he had April's remains, which he'd possibly burnt, in the bag & tossed them into the river. He then took the bag back home & burnt it.

2 May 2013

They also saw the spot on the A487 where the defendant was arrested and were taken to a lay-by which the prosecution has said was where a witness saw him carrying a black bin liner.

The lay-by, close to the river Dulas, is less than half a mile from Mr Bridger's home.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22371540

 

[Sarah]

The most significant thing for me in that video is the way that MB does not look up towards the helicopter. It's a quiet and narrow valley, and it would have been totally obvious to him that it was hovering overhead as part of the search for April. For that reason, I don't think that whatever he threw away was of any significance, as he would be aware that he was being watched.

Hi Veggiefan,

For me, it's the other way around - I agree that it was obvious the helicopter was searching for April but I don't think he would necessarily have had reason to believe that they were filming footage or to think that they would have any reason to pay particular attention to him. In fact, it makes more sense to me that knowing the search was underway, he'd use walking the dog as an excuse to wander around freely without drawing undue attention while surreptitiously disposing of items. The black bag disposal speaks to me of the actions of a desperate man knowing that the net was closing in on him and that he was running out of time for subtlety.

Either way, what really bothers me with this trial is that even if he was disposing of evidence there's nothing in that to contradict his story. He acknowledges that he caused her death, he doesn't dispute the blood evidence in his house and he admits that he must have disposed of her body but can't remember how or where.

Although I believe that he's guilty as sin (and this from somebody who normally sits stubbornly in the innocent until proven guilty camp) gut feelings and beliefs aren't going to convict him in court.
It seems like all the prosecution have to support their version of events is an eye witness account from a child which doesn't even match the description of Bridger's vehicle on a number of points; child / creepy Facebook behaviour to support a potential motive and a lift allegedly offered to two other girls.
It just feels very thin to me in terms of hard evidence.
And although the defence's story reads like a load of nonsense, they don't need to prove that it's true - just use it to cast enough doubt over the prosecution's version of events.

I really think that he may come out of this with a lesser sentence than what IMHO he actually deserves.
I feel like a very clever game is being played here . . . and while I still stand 100% behind the right to a fair trial and the opportunity to present a defence it makes me sad to think that this may be one of those rare cases where justice can't be completely meted out.

 

[Cherwell]

I don't believe that he'd dispose of anything really incriminating so close to his home. I think it was probably nothing more than a used tissue which was lodged in his sleeve.

 

[Redgoblin]

I don't believe that he'd dispose of anything really incriminating so close to his home. I think it was probably nothing more than a used tissue which was lodged in his sleeve.

It would be divine intervention and quite fitting if the item MB got rid of was the Ace up the sleeve that LE need to convince the jury of his guilt.

Although at this stage it looks as if Sarah who previously posted could be correct in that his defence might be trying to get a lesser sentence.

 

[greenpalm]

I think maybe he simply pulled the last cigarette out of a pack, and threw the pack down.

 

[agme28]

They should do him for littering while they're at it.

 

[sleuther317]

Did you see the colour of the carpet? A rather convenient colour. Although it would still look like a big wet patch
. If it was a light carpet then I don't see how he could have got rid of all the visual surface evidence. But obviously he did a good job at cleaning up, on the

surface at least.

I do wonder what other crimes he's committed. This can't be his first surely?

Darn, I did not view the pics previously so I didn't know his carpet was red . Guess that explains that, unfortunately...

 

[ScotsPaddy]

I think maybe he simply pulled the last cigarette out of a pack, and threw the pack down.

It was something long and thin,thin chain or string or similar.

Also whatever it was was in his hand and not up his sleeve, im still covinced it was dodgy.It really is worth tryuing to watch the vid frame by frame.

Sorry for short replies but its 2:20am here and ive got to get up for college lol.

 

[Clio]

The trial of Mark Bridger over the murder of April Jones will today hear from the young friend she was playing with at the time she disappeared.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/live-updates-april-jones-murder-3414952

 

[Neurotripsy]

Sorry for the delay in updates, Websleuths has been down for me ever since I got up! Here are all relevant Tweets from this morning's session:


@ChrisMRiches:

#AprilJones Court to start shortly at Mold for the April Jones trial. A child witness will give evidence via video link

#AprilJones Slaughterman Mark Bridger, 47, denies murder, abduction and perverting the course of justice. Trial may last six weeks.


@evansma:

Jury to hear video-link evidence from the seven-year-old best friend of #AprilJones who was with her when she went missing.


@stevenmorris20:

April's best friend - who is seven - is also to watch the video interview - she is not in court here but is watching it from Aberystwyth.


@c4marcus:

The friend of #AprilJones is giving evidence via a video link. There is a large teddy bear on the desk alongside her.

The judge asks the girl what the bear is called. "Minty" she replies. "So he's going to look after you?" the judge asks. "Yes" she says.


@stevenmorris20:

Jury can see #apriljones friend. She is wearing pink top. Has a rabbit in front of her on table. Tells court bear is Minty.


@c4marcus:

The court is about to be played the interview the friend of #AprilJones gave to police. In this video she is holding a toy rabbit.


@evansma:

Jurors being shown recorded video evidence given by little girl on October 2, the day after #AprilJones disappeared.

She is shown in a room sat on a sofa clutching a toy rabbit on her lap. She is wearing a blue cardigan and pale blue dress. #AprilJones


@c4marcus:

The police officer begins by asking the friend her name and age, and what her toy rabbit is called. "Mr Bumble", she replies. #AprilJones


@JerryLawton:

Young girl tells police officer she is cuddling Mr Bumble the rabbit #apriljones - dad is present, mum is in next room watching


@ChrisMRiches:

#apriljones The child on the video has a packet of crisps as speaks to police and is holding her toy rabbit for comfort called Mr Bumble.


@stevenmorris20:

This interview took place Oct 2 2012 - day after #apriljones vanished. Officers first check girl knows what a lie is. #markbridger in dock.


@evansma:

Bridger is sat in the dock with his glasses on watching the video evidence from the seven-year-old. #AprilJones


@c4marcus:

The police officers tells the friend that if she doesn't know the answer to a question, it's okay to say you don't know. #AprilJones

The police officer says to the friend: "Everything we talk about in here has to be the truth. No making things up." #AprilJones

The police officer uses a story about smashing up a toy pirate ship to discuss difference between telling the truth and a lie. #AprilJones

There will now be a short break. Court told there will be frequent breaks for the child witness. #AprilJones



@stevenmorris20:

Court taking break - we'll having break every 10 mins or so because a child witness is involved. #markbridger #apriljones


@JerryLawton:

#apriljones trial will break every 10 mins because of age of witness - she is given orange squash & crisps before police interview


@c4marcus:

The friend is asked what happened the previous night. She tells the police officer she was playing with #AprilJones.


@stevenmorris20:

#apriljones friend is asked by police what happened night before. She says: my friend April went missing. #markbridger


@c4marcus:

When asked who was there, she says she and #AprilJones were playing on the Bryn-Y-Gog estate and "there was a man in there, there was".

The friend describes a grey "Land Rover van" being near a BT van on the estate. #AprilJones

The officer asks friend of #AprilJones if she'd seen the Land Rover before? "It looks quite familiar, it does…" she replies.

The friend says: "The man didn’t take her in the van, she got in the van having a happy face... She wasn’t upset." #AprilJones


@stevenmorris20:

April's friend told police that the two of them were playing on the Bryn-y-Gog estate on evening she vanished.

April's friend - who cannot be named - told police they were playing near what she said was a grey Land Rover....

The friend said: The man didn't take her in the van. She got in the van having a happy face...she wasn't upset. #apriljones #markbridger

Officer asks friend how she knew vehicle was a Land Rover. "Cos I saw a picture of it and it looked exactly the same…" she says. #AprilJones

"Where did you see the picture of the Land Rover?" Friend replies: "On my mum's phone before we came here." #AprilJones

During her police interview April's friend draws picture of the vehicle she saw at the time of the 5yrold's disappearance. #apriljones

#apriljones friend says she's not good at drawing. But is encouraged to draw what she says she saw. #markbridger

Jury has been told that #markbridger had a Land Rover. He says he injured April in a road accident, jury has heard. #apriljones

#apriljones friend told police the Land Rover's tyres were "quite muddy". "It might have gone through the woods." #markbridger

#markbridger appears to listen intently as #apriljones friend police video interview played to jury


@c4marcus:

@Tinkerbell01 The photo she saw was of a blue Land Rover, she says, "but it looks exactly the same".

Friend is asked what else she can remember about the Land Rover. She says it was grey, and it didn't have any "bars" at the top. #AprilJones


@adavies4:

Interviewer tells 7 year old as she answers questions about that night: "You're doing brilliantly" #AprilJones


@stevenmorris20:

#apriljones friend: she got in the car. She wasn't crying. She got in the back of the van. It just drove off. #markbridger

#apriljones friend says the man was waiting for someone. She didn't think he was waiting for April. #markbridger

#apriljones friend: I didn't know she was going to get in the van...I didn't know she was going to go by the man. #markbridger

#apriljones friend told police that April's mum and dad told their daughter not to get into cars like that. #markbridger

#apriljones friend said April got into the driver's side and then clambered into the back. #markbridger

#apriljones friend told police the man who allegedly drove off with April had green or blue eyes and brown hair, was wearing green jacket.

#apriljones friend says she is sure the man had brown hair, not sure of other details. Asked by police to draw pic map of scene.


@evansma:

April's brother came along and said it was time for her to go home, her friend said #AprilJones had got into a car and had been driven off.

The little girl told police: "I am not very good at remembering things, like today I forgot my PE kit." #AprilJones


@stevenmorris20:

#apriljones 7yrold friend being told by judge it's very important she tells the truth. She is being questioned by #markbridger barrister.

#apriljones friend is wearing T-shirt with a "LOVE" slogan on it. Wearing hair band. Her teddy is perched on desk in front of her.

Judge and barristers in #markbridger trial not wearing wigs and gowns today because child witness giving evidence. #apriljones

#apriljones friend being shown pics of the spot from where April vanished in Oct last year. "It's close to where it all happened," she says.

#apriljones #markbridger trial breaking for lunch. Back in 45 mins or so.

 

[ScotsPaddy]

The little girl told police: "I am not very good at remembering things, like today I forgot my PE kit." #AprilJones

Sorry but that made me chuckle, so sweet.

 

[ScotsPaddy]

Thanks for the updates Neurotripsy.

 

[josie1986]

thank you for all the updates.

it must be so hard for her friend,especially being so young. it sounds like she did absolutely amazing back then and is doing the same now

 

[veggiefan]

"April Jones' friend tells court her mum showed her pics of Land Rovers before she was formally interviewed by police".

Hmm. Why would her mother have done that? Did she already have a suspicion that it was MB's vehicle?

 

[Alyce]

I remember back in October, and it may just have been journalistic licence ! that there were reports that the child witness had said AJ got into the car on the drivers side and it was the left side of the car, hence the reason they realised quickly that it was a left hand drive