GUILTY UK - Joanna Yeates, 25, Clifton, Bristol, 17 Dec 2010 #13

[Deckard]

I'm not surprised by this as it seemed very likely that the CPS had rock solid evidence that he killed her, which is why he didn't request bail IMO.

I expect he'll say he accidentally choked her in a struggle by trying to restrain her and silence her. I think that's probably what happened and he didn't intend to kill her.

Have to agree with you bees. Still an act of violence whichever way you look at it.

I still think Jo went round to his flat, doesn't make sense to me any other way.

 

[Cherwell]

I agree with bees, too. I always thought the next-door neighbours had the best opportunity, and wasn't too surprised when VT was arrested. I felt that it was probably not a deliberate murder, but just a misunderstanding that went tragically wrong. So the manslaughter plea is pretty much what I expected.

 

[kINGFISHER]

Those of us who have lost faith in the justice system must be pleased that they are taking the case to trial. Although it could well be the public outcry of this case that has made this possible and not the justice system ? To me this verdict would indicate that the case has deeper connections to others then the public are aware of, but who knows.

 

[Redgoblin]

I agree with bees, too. I always thought the next-door neighbours had the best opportunity, and wasn't too surprised when VT was arrested. I felt that it was probably not a deliberate murder, but just a misunderstanding that went tragically wrong. So the manslaughter plea is pretty much what I expected.

Must have a been a pretty big misunderstanding?

 

[kINGFISHER]

I agree with bees, too. I always thought the next-door neighbours had the best opportunity, and wasn't too surprised when VT was arrested. I felt that it was probably not a deliberate murder, but just a misunderstanding that went tragically wrong. So the manslaughter plea is pretty much what I expected.

If it is just a misunderstanding then why is the justice system pursuing it.

 

[edgedweller]

At least now we should get some answers... in fact we might get more information than if he had pleaded not guilty. I hope that the fact he has admitted killing her helps the Yeates family. They will want answers too.

(and now we know there is no maniac seizing women off the streets of Bristol!)

 

[Deckard]

Not buying the misunderstanding line either.

Circumstances prevailed where he was confronted imo.

He panicked and reason left him. VT must have felt himself in some sort of jeopardy.

 

[Redgoblin]

If a charge has been made (in this case murder) and a suspect pleads a lesser charge, can the authorities look at the evidence and agree with the defendant on the lesser charge, or because they originally made a charge (murder) do they have to stick by it.

?

Excuse me, I'm not an expert on law -

 

[Chester]

If it is just a misunderstanding then why is the justice system pursuing it.

Possible reasons:

They don't believe his story

Disposal of the body

He is pleading guilty on grounds of mental illness / diminished responsibility

They want to waste a vast amount of public funds

 

[Jamie737]

If they are unwilling to accept a charge of manslaughter, doesn't that imply that there is a case around premeditation?

 

[Chester]

If a charge has been made (in this case murder) and a suspect pleads a lesser charge, can the authorities look at the evidence and agree with the defendant on the lesser charge, or because they originally made a charge (murder) they have to stick by it.

?

Excuse me, I'm not an expert on law -

They can accept the lesser charge. Most plea bargains involve a reduction of charge and / or sentence. In many cases it saves a lot of money and of course there is a danger that the jury might find the defendant not guilty even with a case that appears to be water tight.

As others have commented it is still possible that the Crown could accept the guilty plea and drop the murder charge before the trial happens in October.

 

[Chester]

If they are unwilling to accept a charge of manslaughter, doesn't that imply that there is a case around premeditation?

That is implicit in any murder charge.

 

[Chester]

Those of us who have lost faith in the justice system must be pleased that they are taking the case to trial. Although it could well be the public outcry of this case that has made this possible and not the justice system ? To me this verdict would indicate that the case has deeper connections to others then the public are aware of, but who knows.

Are you implying that her family have in some way used their connections (whatever they may be) to pressure the Crown into a trial ?

 

[kINGFISHER]

They can accept the lesser charge. Most plea bargains involve a reduction of charge and / or sentence. In many cases it saves a lot of money and of course there is a danger that the jury might find the defendant not guilty even with a case that appears to be water tight.

As others have commented it is still possible that the Crown could accept the guilty plea and drop the murder charge before the trial happens in October.

If he has a good solicitor maybe that could happen but I have a feeling that the public and her parents won't let it go that way.

 

[kINGFISHER]

Are you implying that her family have in some way used their connections (whatever they may be) to pressure the Crown into a trial ?

As I have just said I would hope it was the justice system who feels it needs to go to trial after all he has pleaded guilty.

 

[Jamie737]

That is implicit in any murder charge.

Yes it is. And the penalty is far higher as a result. Therefore the state must feel that it has sufficient evidence to pursue and that supports pre-planning rather than a crime of passion or momentary loss of reason.

 

[kINGFISHER]

Are you implying that her family have in some way used their connections (whatever they may be) to pressure the Crown into a trial ?

No, It is just public common sence and justice for Jo not the rights of elite judges and after all he did plead guilty or are you of the opinion that judges are above the law.

 

[Clio]

They appear to have narrowed down the time of death

Tabak was arrested and appeared in court in Bristol on 25 January. He was charged with murdering Yeates between 16 December and 26 December last year.

Tabak pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, this time between 16 December and 19 December

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/may/05/joanna-yeates-neighbour-admits-killing

 

[notsure]

I doubt that we will ever know the truth now. He can make up any scenario he wants to back up his plea of manslaughter. He can say anything about poor Jo, and nobody will know if he's lying. Sickening. All that stuff about going over to spend time with his family at Christmas and behaving totally normally. If he killed her "accidentally," whatever that means, why didn't he behave like a normal human being and call the police? Why dump her body by the side of the road like garbage?

Because he's made of ice.

 

[kINGFISHER]

Are you implying that her family have in some way used their connections (whatever they may be) to pressure the Crown into a trial ?

No not at all but that others may have a connection with her murder.