Okay, in order to be so sure that the police have so much evidence I take it you have also had access and that’s why you are so sure?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the JC PoW witness only come forward recently and by this I mean they didn’t back in 1986?
No, of course I haven't had access to access to the investigation. I would not be discussing it if I had.
Whilst evidential opportunities were lost in the original investigation, there were three independently corroborated witness statements placing a female matching SJL in Shorrolds Road at the time of the appointment. Two independent witnesses state the woman was with a male, as described. That these were in Shorrold Road has to be taken with significant reliability and certainly in lieu of any other credible witness testimony.
Other independent witnesses have placed SJP's vehicle in Stevenage Road, so this can be considered reliable.
The acquaintance who said they recognised SJL driving in Fulham Palace Road is well intentioned but unreliable.
Any witnesses that came years later cannot be relied upon. If they have genuine cause to remember and can explain why they didn't come forward earlier then their account may be considered more credible.
Witness accounts are notoriously unreliable but when independent witnesses are confirming that someone matching a description was seen in a certain place at a certain time, then their value is greatly increased.
Finally, I have faith in the detective abilities of Jim Dickie in performing a thorough review and following any reasonable lines of enquiry that hat not been explored earlier.
If Jim Dickie had authorisation from the Met Police to say Cannan was the one and only suspect then I have complete confidence in that assessment.
Suspicions based on what it's and the smallest of inconsistencies in peoples statements and irritation with work colleagues are not reason to denounce what we do know and jumping to wild conclusions.
The bottom line is the police have carried out the investigation, they have access to all the evidence obtained, they have ruled people out and the only one waving red flag is JC. He just can't be nailed down because there is no body or crime scene, just a wealth of circumstantial evidence, which is not sufficient to reach the high bar for charge and ultimately conviction.
I think it is important for folk to navel gaze and ask why they they reject JC as the only suspect based on evidence but find other suspects where the evidence does not support it.
DV rejects evidence by wafting his hand and not giving a coherent argument as to why he rejects it. As I have said before the police are looking it a whole, the rest of us have about 10% of the pie.
Anyone questioning witnesses thirty-six years later expecting that their account will be reliable is sadly mistaken. The passage of time, external influences, the way memory works will all have a significant impact.
Looking at DV’s book and the events leading up to SJL leaving the office it appears she never went to or intended to go to Shorrolds Road.
On the basis that “JC did it” It’s more likely she actually went to Stevenage Road and the WJ sighting of her car parked where it was found was actually correct.
This holds as much water as the Shorrolds Road witnesses.
