IMPORTANT NOTE: You do NOT have to register to read, post, listen or contribute. If you simply wish to remain fully anonymous, you can still contribute.
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
The judge says Roache is of a "good character in the sense he has never been convicted of a criminal offence".
Implying that he might not be a criminal but could still be a rapist and paedo. Really, Judges and British Justice today! Just try to prove you didn't bugger a baby 40 years ago, your honour.
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
Yes; several "witnesses"in my trial - who I had never met and had never been to my house - drew very similar "maps" of my house, including rooms that were not there and doors leading "into" them - all very like other drawings (equally false). I wondered whether the police might have popped out of the interview room for a tea or pee, accidentally leaving a previously drawn map on the table.
My laywers would not make this suggestion. The judge would throw it out, they said. No evidence.
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
JK2006 wrote: Yes; several "witnesses"in my trial - who I had never met and had never been to my house - drew very similar "maps" of my house, including rooms that were not there and doors leading "into" them - all very like other drawings (equally false). I wondered whether the police might have popped out of the interview room for a tea or pee, accidentally leaving a previously drawn map on the table.
My laywers would not make this suggestion. The judge would throw it out, they said. No evidence.
The layout is usually similar for the whole street, so if you have seen one you have seen them all, but even if you get it wrong the judge says it is "normal" to be confused.
I see that one of the girls knocked a year off her age.
Funny how nobody is ever "mistaken" into thinking they were older, isn't it?
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
Gnomo wrote: But judge goes on to say the prosecution submits it was just "a simple confusion of dates" and the defence are using it as a "smokescreen".
Similar to JK's trial - Defence prove the dates are incorrect, so change the dates
It doesn't look as if it is going well for him does it? I get the impression that the jury are being instructed to disregard any discrepancies.
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
Read Keir Starmer in the Guardian today; people (even intelligent and educated people) simply cannot believe that anyone would ever lie - or be mistaken - or have memory problems - or are influenced by media coverage - in the area of sex allegations.
They really do feel that lies are for murder or forgeries or muggings or thieves or drug dealers or blackmailers. But never, ever for sex allegations.
There's really not a lot more I can say, having been through this. I could not change many minds about my wrongful conviction. The vast majority simply cannot conceive of anybody lying about sex.
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
These are the Judge's words in his summing up to the jury...
"What is needed is a cool-headed appraisal of the evidence you have heard. So concentrate on those aspects of the evidence which you think are important to your verdict."
Now, you see, this gets to the core of my problem during my trial 13 years ago. I simply do not regard ONE PERSON'S WORD (on either side) as "evidence". Without corroboration, a letter, photos, complaint at the time... these are just one person's recollections NOT evidence. And they should not be allowed as "evidence".
Yes, I do understand there will BE no evidence in many cases. Well, that's too bad. There should not, then, be a prosecution or trial. Without real evidence, they should not proceed.
And police should not make up evidence. Or "assist" statements. It is immoral, illegal and should not happen.
This fundamental flaw in JUSTICE these days must urgently be addressed unless we are to see numerous other miscarriages of justice.
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
It made me laugh when they had the audacity to say this interview "angered the complainant"
No - it angered Mark John-Thomas, the CPS & the police. It angered them so much they decided to teach this man a lesson
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote: "Judge: the prosecution say the victim's story is supported by the fact she was able to describe in detail the room where it happened..."
So can I! his house has been repeatedly featured in the Radio times and Woman's weekly.
Good point and can they be sure someone else who'd been there never fed them those descriptions? I don't think so...
Re:The Roache Summing Up - By TwitFeed 11 Years, 5 Months ago
JK2006 wrote: Yes; several "witnesses"in my trial - who I had never met and had never been to my house - drew very similar "maps" of my house, including rooms that were not there and doors leading "into" them - all very like other drawings (equally false).
That sounds like strong evidence if collusion between accusers...