...as I attempt to digest the many loose ends and theories that are inevitably left in the ashes of a poorly handled police investigation, which this case was
You could turn this on its head - and actually stand in awe of the police - that they still managed to pull off a conviction, via a concocted exhibit and a prosecution witness who needed to be 'cleaned' and then carted-off across the pond out of the way.
Perhaps we shouldn't knock their efforts.