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

[Sarahlou]

Was any semen found in unusual places?
Was any of Aprils DNA found in the messy bedroom of his?
Do they literally search every inch for DNA? Like take swabs of off everything?

Do we have any proof besides the computer history that this was sexually motivated? What if he really did run her over?
I agree that it appears that he did something terrible with her body.

It was clearly sexually motivated imo. The computer searches of child , him trying to pick up a couple of young girls for a 'sleepover' before he abducted April etc... There's no evidence to show he ran her over. That's just his nonsense story to try and save his sorry behind imo. Don't forget he also came up with a ridiculous story as to why they might find April's DNA on his penis...if he'd not raped her why on earth would he even be thinking of such a thing?

 

[Clutchbag]

He says he doesnt think he took her to his house, then why does he say he looked for her in his house?

All very strange.I think to have such a memory loss one would have to have consumed extraordinary amounts of alcohol, even after a real heavy binge, and even for a self confessed alcoholic, things come back the next day even if just snippets, especially if they are embarrassing, the guilt ridden type or shocking to the system, there is no way IMO he had any kind of blackout and was so drunk that he couldnt remember what happened between putting her on his car at 7.20 or so and being spotted parking at his house at 8.34pm?? And saying he didnt take her home but left her somewhere out of the rain? Then we have he looked in all over his house for her.

 

[ann-other]

I wonder if it was the norm for him to reverse into his drive? Whatever happened between 7.20 and 8.34pm (approximately), I really am not convinced she was taken to his house alive, but as a means of disposal. A lot could of happened within this time span, he was seen speeding off from the scene very quickly. Maybe, he possibly had somewhere lined up to take her?

 

[ann-other]

He says he doesnt think he took her to his house, then why does he say he looked for her in his house?

All very strange.I think to have such a memory loss one would have to have consumed extraordinary amounts of alcohol, even after a real heavy binge, and even for a self confessed alcoholic, things come back the next day even if just snippets, especially if they are embarrassing, the guilt ridden type or shocking to the system, there is no way IMO he had any kind of blackout and was so drunk that he couldnt remember what happened between putting her on his car at 7.20 or so and being spotted parking at his house at 8.34pm?? And saying he didnt take her home but left her somewhere out of the rain? Then we have he looked in all over his house for her.

We thrashed this one out (alcoholic blackout) at the beginning but we all had different opinions at the time...

 

[LegallyBrunette]

Was any semen found in unusual places?
Was any of Aprils DNA found in the messy bedroom of his?
Do they literally search every inch for DNA? Like take swabs of off everything?

Do we have any proof besides the computer history that this was sexually motivated? What if he really did run her over?
I agree that it appears that he did something terrible with her body.

April's DNA was found in the crotch area of the track pants he was wearing when arrested.
He had also told police that if they found her DNA on his private parts it was because he had to stop to urinate while he was carrying her.

 

[LegallyBrunette]

He says he doesnt think he took her to his house, then why does he say he looked for her in his house?

All very strange.I think to have such a memory loss one would have to have consumed extraordinary amounts of alcohol, even after a real heavy binge, and even for a self confessed alcoholic, things come back the next day even if just snippets, especially if they are embarrassing, the guilt ridden type or shocking to the system, there is no way IMO he had any kind of blackout and was so drunk that he couldnt remember what happened between putting her on his car at 7.20 or so and being spotted parking at his house at 8.34pm?? And saying he didnt take her home but left her somewhere out of the rain? Then we have he looked in all over his house for her.

As one of the witnesses or perhaps prosecutor Ms Evans said, MB is a fantasist.
He had messaged a friend that he'd been in to collect his benefits and purchased a bottle of wine and a box of cider. Police found a carton with empty cider cans.
The head and deputy head of the school both gave evidence that he seemed affected by alcohol but they couldn't smell it on him. One of them had said to the other "did you see his eyes?"
I took that possibly to be inferring he might have been smoking something. It hasn't been expanded in the evidence I've seen.
He may have backed into the drive to take April out of the tailgate so neighbours wouldn't see. Another thing that makes a nonsense of the alcohol amnesia story - having enough co-ordination to reverse into the driveway and not end up in the garden.
The next day he asked the garage receptionist about the missing girl "because he had no TV or radio to get news" and asked one searcher what was happening because he wanted to help, then told another he had been out all night searching. They thought it was odd because his clothes were perfectly clean. It had been raining and searchers who were out that night had mud on their boots and clothes.
Since the previous night he shaved off his beard and cut his hair. Amazing he could do that if he was so p....d he couldn't remember anything.
He had been seen the night before parked at the garages where April was taken after almost running over a man out for a walk with his mate.
Early on it was said that police were told that night that he had most likely taken her.
Her parents knew him, the whole village knew him, as if nobody would have tried to ring or message him. He's so full of it it's a miracle he doesn't explode. :twocents:

 

[ann-other]

Very late but another thought crossed my mind (which fits it with earlier thoughts) Could he have taken her to 'meet' someone and left her there? He then arrives back at his house at 8.30ish and proceeds to drink copious amounts of alcohol. Later, she is brought to his house for disposal? Would fit with the 'probably killed her' Just a thought...

 

[veggiefan]

I wonder if it was the norm for him to reverse into his drive?

I should think it likely - it wouldn't be wise to have to reverse out, given the narrow road, tight bend, hill and view obscured by a hedge.

 

[agme28]

Very late but another thought crossed my mind (which fits it with earlier thoughts) Could he have taken her to 'meet' someone and left her there? He then arrives back at his house at 8.30ish and proceeds to drink copious amounts of alcohol. Later, she is brought to his house for disposal? Would fit with the 'probably killed her' Just a thought...

I think it more likely that he acted alone, drove somewhere remote so as not to rouse suspicion, assaulted and murdered little April and then disposed of her at home. I doubt he'll have wanted to keep her alive for long. I don't know how he ever thought he could get away with it though, of course his house would end up being searched if he was suspected and no clean up will remove all traces. I just hope there's enough hard evidence to convict him.

 

[Sarahlou]

Why would he make all that mess on the carpet if he only disposed of her at home? Surely you'd choose the bathroom or somewhere that's easier to clean? It's gruesome to think about I know.

I'd also have thought he'd want to get her to his home as quickly as possible as he must have known people would start looking for her pretty quickly.

 

[Elainera]

I think it more likely that he acted alone, drove somewhere remote so as not to rouse suspicion, assaulted and murdered little April and then disposed of her at home. I doubt he'll have wanted to keep her alive for long. I don't know how he ever thought he could get away with it though, of course his house would end up being searched if he was suspected and no clean up will remove all traces. I just hope there's enough hard evidence to convict him.

bbm - Now that I can easily imagine being alcohol related, him believing that he did a thourough job with the cleaning and has good explanations for his whereabouts. But the next day, when sober he gave up pretty quickly iirc, he admitted that he killed her right when they arrested him.

For April's sake I hope however that his story of an accidental death is true.

 

[jigzy]

Question for veggie - why would the head teacher have given her evidence in Welsh? I saw an interview with her just after April went missing and of course she speaks English fluently. Just curious

Jmo, but if Welsh is one's first language then giving evidence in that language would be crucial. I teach groups of students through the medium of English, some of whom spoke Welsh at home and during primary school years, but English during high school. Whilst these students understand instruction in English, some struggle to communicate, in written and sometimes spoken form, finer points as they are attempting to translate the Welsh thoughts in their head to English. In these cases they write in Welsh and we translate to English whilst marking. The school teacher would probably have given her statement to the LE in Welsh and it would have been transcribed in Welsh. Important statements crucial in cases like these could not afford to have details lost in the translation of the witness, far better to capture the info in the witness' first language and then translate, using several translators if necessary. I don't think 'pride' necessarily comes into it, although we are proud of our language and culture here in Wales - I think giving evidence in one's first language is just common sense. IMHO.

As for the 3rd DNA on the shower curtain, clearly a woman had been in the house, sanitary towels can be seen on the bathroom windowsill in the evidence photos.

 

[Crazy Mama]

were there any traces of Aprils DNA in the car?
If he had raped her and washed or showered himself, would it still be possible to pick up traces of DNA from his penis? Is it normal to swab a mans penis for DNA in cases such as these?

 

[Neurotripsy]

were there any traces of Aprils DNA in the car?
If he had raped her and washed or showered himself, would it still be possible to pick up traces of DNA from his penis? Is it normal to swab a mans penis for DNA in cases such as these?

IIRC there was no mention of anything in the car. As for the swab, you'd think they would do one just in case, but after a few days of him using the toilet and possibly showering I guess it would be useless.

 

[Neurotripsy]

@stevenmorris:

First witness of week three in #markbridger trial: Emma Howes. Forensic scientist. To deal with blood and DNA analysis.

Howes involved in investigation at #markbridger's house, Mount Pleasant, and his Land Rover. #apriljones


@JerryLawton:

Forensic scientist Emma Howes giving evidence on findings in Bridger's Mount Pleasant home and Land Rover #apriljones
[@Crazy Mama: Sounds like there will be some DNA there after all!]


@stevenmorris20:

Howes says she did not attend Mount Pleasant but examined items taken from #markbridger's home.

jury being taken through plans and diagrams of where blood was found in #markbridger's house....

Jury told DNA from blood found in #markbridger's living room matched #apriljones' DNA profile....

Forensic scientist Emma Howes says there is a one in billion chance of that DNA profile belonging to someone other than #apriljones

Howes tells #markbridger jury that a "trail of dripping blood" was found on underside of carpet near fireplace in his living room.

Howes claims DNA profile from this trail of blood also matched that of #apriljones. Bridger denies abduction and murder.

Forensic scientist says a "considerable amount of blood" was found on underside of carpet at #markbridger's house.


@JerryLawton:

More of #apriljones blood found under carpet in doorway leading to hall

Forensic scientist says "considerable amount of blood found" on bottom of carpet but not on top suggesting it had been cleaned #apriljones


@stevenmorris20:

Scientist Howes says she also saw indications that attempts had been to clean up the blood in #markbridger's living room.

Howes' conclusion on blood close to fireplace in living room: she believes it came directly from April, not from object wet with her blood.


@ChrisMJones:

#apriljones Expert says the large blood stain by the fire place indicated "April had been lying there for some time shedding blood."


@JerryLawton:

Cuts were found in Bridger's living room carpet #apriljones


@stevenmorris20:

Emma Howes tells jury "crescent-shaped" cuts found in living room carpet. These in the centre of #markbridger's living room.

Not possible to say if the cuts to carpet made at same time as blood stains, jury told. Largest cut - 6.5cm long. #apriljones


@JerryLawton:

Largest cut in Bridger's living room carpet was 6.5cm long and crescent-shaped. Others are 1 to 2cm long #apriljones

Three stains of #apriljones blood found on the carpet in the hallway of Bridger's house


@stevenmorris20:

#apriljones' blood was also found on the hallway carpet. Again this a "trail of dripped blood," forensic scientist tells jury.


@JerryLawton:

#apriljones blood in Bridger's hallway was in a "trail" - Bridger's blood found on leather armchair in living room

#apriljones and Bridger's blood found on both sides of shower curtain in bathroom and on sofa in living room

#apriljones blood also found on bathroom wall, back of door and from inside washing machine door - Bridger's washing machine was in bathroom

More blood found on hot tap of Bridger's bath and on back of washing machine #apriljones


@stevenmorris20:

#apriljones' blood found in the grouting between the tiles of the hall floor, expert tells #markbridger jury.

Two knives found in bread oven in #markbridger's inglenook fireplace. One on top of log burner. No blood on these, court hears.


@JerryLawton:

More of #apriljones blood found on hearth in living room and tile grouting in hallway. Blood found in bathroom sink too "weak" for result

Boning knife found on top of Bridger's wood burning stove was "scorched" as if it had been burnt #apriljones

Blood found on axe in Bridger's fireplace but did not produce DNA result #apriljones

 

[Alyce]

As one of the witnesses or perhaps prosecutor Ms Evans said, MB is a fantasist.
He had messaged a friend that he'd been in to collect his benefits and purchased a bottle of wine and a box of cider. Police found a carton with empty cider cans.
The head and deputy head of the school both gave evidence that he seemed affected by alcohol but they couldn't smell it on him. One of them had said to the other "did you see his eyes?"
I took that possibly to be inferring he might have been smoking something. It hasn't been expanded in the evidence I've seen.
He may have backed into the drive to take April out of the tailgate so neighbours wouldn't see. Another thing that makes a nonsense of the alcohol amnesia story - having enough co-ordination to reverse into the driveway and not end up in the garden.
The next day he asked the garage receptionist about the missing girl "because he had no TV or radio to get news" and asked one searcher what was happening because he wanted to help, then told another he had been out all night searching. They thought it was odd because his clothes were perfectly clean. It had been raining and searchers who were out that night had mud on their boots and clothes.
Since the previous night he shaved off his beard and cut his hair. Amazing he could do that if he was so p....d he couldn't remember anything.
He had been seen the night before parked at the garages where April was taken after almost running over a man out for a walk with his mate.
Early on it was said that police were told that night that he had most likely taken her.
Her parents knew him, the whole village knew him, as if nobody would have tried to ring or message him. He's so full of it it's a miracle he doesn't explode. :twocents:

BBM

This is still something that puzzles me.
Reporting last year said that PJ and MB were ( or had been ) friends, they dated sisters and both had children with said sisters.
Further reporting said that MBs car was suggested on that first night, when AJ was taken, and yet, so far, we have heard no report of anyone trying to call MB or go to his cottage ( which was known to the ex g/f and therefore she could have supplied the address to PJ and CJ. )
And CJs statement to the court last week seemed to say that she hardly knew MB ?

 

[Cherwell]

This is still something that puzzles me.
Reporting last year said that PJ and MB were ( or had been ) friends, they dated sisters and both had children with said sisters.
Further reporting said that MBs car was suggested on that first night, when AJ was taken, and yet, so far, we have heard no report of anyone trying to call MB or go to his cottage ( which was known to the ex g/f and therefore she could have supplied the address to PJ and CJ. )
And CJs statement to the court last week seemed to say that she hardly knew MB ?

It was reported that the police went looking for him at his previous address. Sounds as though it wasn't generally known that he had moved, so no one asked the girlfriend until later.

 

[Neurotripsy]

@stevenmorris20:

Jury examining a "scorched" knife found in #markbridger's living room. #apriljones.

Jury told that an axe was also found at #markbridger's home. Blood on handle but no DNA profile established.


@JerryLawton:

More blood found on bucket discovered outside Bridger's house but did not produce DNA evidence #apriljones

#apriljones blood found on inside of collar of black fleece Bridger was wearing when he was arrested


@stevenmorris20:

DNA sample taken from inside of #markbridger's jogging bottoms. His DNA found but expert also says...

Expert can't eliminate possibility that #apriljones had "contributed DNA" to this jogging bottom sample.



From the live updates:

A swab of Bridger's penis did not find any DNA other than his own, Ms Howes has confirmed to the jury.

She added after carrying out tests on the sheets retrieved from Bridger's bedrooms, she came to conclude that "there's no evidence of any sexual activity" between Bridger and April.

As Ms Howes said this, Bridger gasped, held his hand to his mouth and appeared to cry.

 

[LegallyBrunette]

Jmo, but if Welsh is one's first language then giving evidence in that language would be crucial. I teach groups of students through the medium of English, some of whom spoke Welsh at home and during primary school years, but English during high school. Whilst these students understand instruction in English, some struggle to communicate, in written and sometimes spoken form, finer points as they are attempting to translate the Welsh thoughts in their head to English. In these cases they write in Welsh and we translate to English whilst marking. The school teacher would probably have given her statement to the LE in Welsh and it would have been transcribed in Welsh. Important statements crucial in cases like these could not afford to have details lost in the translation of the witness, far better to capture the info in the witness' first language and then translate, using several translators if necessary. I don't think 'pride' necessarily comes into it, although we are proud of our language and culture here in Wales - I think giving evidence in one's first language is just common sense. IMHO.

As for the 3rd DNA on the shower curtain, clearly a woman had been in the house, sanitary towels can be seen on the bathroom windowsill in the evidence photos.

Thanks jigzy, good to see your input here again. What you say about Welsh is the same as where my family come from in the south of Ireland. Irish is the first language.

As for the your last para, we know that VF had been there because she texted to him during the 'break up' messages that day that she didn't want anything from the house. Though, given that he is such a baby and a sook and gutless wonder, maybe the feminine hygiene items are his.:banghead::twocents:

 

[LegallyBrunette]

I should think it likely - it wouldn't be wise to have to reverse out, given the narrow road, tight bend, hill and view obscured by a hedge.

From this photo you kindly posted, there is enough room to drive in and turn before driving out. I think there was only one reason he reversed in.:twocents: