Murder in a small town C5

[Steve1956]

Anyone see this last night,a shocking miscarriage of justice.well worth seeking out on catch up.
Our justice system is quite bewildering at times.

[beddie]

Thanks Steve, will download it. Lovely pictures (other thread) this morning by the way. Joe

[Silkyskills1]

Recorded it out of curiosity. Looking forward to it now after your endorsement.

[claret59]

A very disturbing documentary that could have done with at least one more programme to touch on other issues surrounding this case. For example there was no mention of any motive for the crime other than some haphazard link to Marion Manson. To convict a teenager without a shred of real evidence and when the police procedures for dealing with suspects of his tender age were just ignored, is mystifying. Yet... he has had three appeals all turned down.

[taio]

Never heard of the case before watching the two episodes. Quite unbelievable how he was convicted. A very intriguing watch.

[Steve1956]

A very disturbing documentary that could have done with at least one more programme to touch on other issues surrounding this case. For example there was no mention of any motive for the crime other than some haphazard link to Marion Manson. To convict a teenager without a shred of real evidence and when the police procedures for dealing with suspects of his tender age were just ignored, is mystifying. Yet... he has had three appeals all turned down.

He was around at the time of the murder the Police decided he had done it and that was it...not a shred of evidence against him.. a disturbing conviction on that evidence....poor lad and his poor mum have had their lives destroyed.

[Silkyskills1]

A shocking outcome. The irony of him having heat and a toilet in prison and his mother living with neither really hit home hard. 21st century justice?

[beddie]

We watched the first episode last night, hope to watch the second one next week. From the limited information I've seen it does sound rather bizarre that they've convicted him on no forensic evidence at all. Sounds like the actual murderer is now deceased. Feel so sorry for his Mother as well.

[Steve1956]

We watched the first episode last night, hope to watch the second one next week. From the limited information I've seen it does sound rather bizarre that they've convicted him on no forensic evidence at all. Sounds like the actual murderer is now deceased. Feel so sorry for his Mother as well.

Me & the wife cant get our head round this,3 appeals rejected???
The only explanation we could come up with was that the makers of the documentary were only telling us half a story...its a strange one.

[taio]

Me & the wife cant get our head round this,3 appeals rejected???
The only explanation we could come up with was that the makers of the documentary were only telling us half a story...its a strange one.

Felt exactly the same. There must be something else, surely. If there isn't it's quite incredible.

[Cardclaret]

The problem with appeals is that you have to find fresh evidence not previously considered. In a case with little evidence to begin with it must be very difficult. I agree with above there MUST be more to this than explained in the programme it simply doesn't make sense.

[Corky]

It would appear that the Scottish legal system leaves a lot to be desired. As has been said above it seems the Police decided he was guilty and everyone else sort of went along with it. Disturbingly, including the jury.

[harpers_perm]

Incredibly poor documentary in my opinion, only offering a view from one side only.

[claptrappers_union]

Not really, one side of the story has already been told through court.

[Silkyskills1]

Incredibly poor documentary in my opinion, only offering a view from one side only.

Of course it bloody well did. If he was your son, brother, friend and there were so many 'holes' in the evidence against him would you not at least question the validity of the case? That was the raison d'etre for the programme.

[jojomk1]

Me & the wife cant get our head round this,3 appeals rejected???
The only explanation we could come up with was that the makers of the documentary were only telling us half a story...its a strange one.

There was only one half of the story told - the police would no doubt have been asked to appear but chose instead to make a short written statement which was posted on the credits at the end

And unbelievable towards the end of the program when it was announced that another person of "serious interest" (as far as the private investigators were concerned) had died the year before the program was made

Really sorry for the victims family who still have to live through this - it has also been historically reported that things have "gone missing" from the victims grave

This case will almost certainly come back into the public domain once the guy serves his time and is released to publicly tell his side of the tale

[harpers_perm]

Of course it bloody well did. If he was your son, brother, friend and there were so many 'holes' in the evidence against him would you not at least question the validity of the case? That was the raison d'etre for the programme.

You are missing my point.

The documentary didnt provide any detail and consideration as to the many other pieces of circumstantial evidence that was presented at court and subsequent review boards.

I've not researched thoroughly but even a cursory search states that circumstial evidence was provided as to a missing jacket he was seen wearing on the day, lies he told when initially interviewed, lies his mother told, a missing knife he always carried, the fact his brother couldnt alibi him and other pieces that when formed may produce more of an understanding as to why he was convicted.

Personally, I do think it all stinks but again there was no input from the police at the time nor examination of all evidence presented.

If innocent I hope he gets justice.

[beddie]

Just watched the second part. Words fail me. How those jurors must be feeling right now I really don't know. I think there's more to come on this now that it's been highlighted. If the conviction is eventually overturned I just hope his Mother is alive to see it, she's been through so much in the last 17 years.