Did Bamber's AM give him the confidence to commit the massacre?

[Adam]

'Tis a very good point this.

We have all seen the movies when someone has to keep the perp on the line long enough for the peelers to trace the call.

The fact that BT couldn't provide that information after the event was likely not such specialist knowledge in 1985 as we might assume and Bamber was just bluffing.

I do see Adam's point that an AM gives JB a way of connecting a call to Bourtree cottage just in case but this would tie him to a tight timeframe, ie he couldn't call his AM at 2.30 and then the police an hour later when he has cleaned up. It was bad enough he took ten minutes to look in a phonebook which even in 1985 were listed in alphabetical order!

I vote bluffing.

Thank you.

[Adam]

'Tis a very good point this.

We have all seen the movies when someone has to keep the perp on the line long enough for the peelers to trace the call.

The fact that BT couldn't provide that information after the event was likely not such specialist knowledge in 1985 as we might assume and Bamber was just bluffing.

I do see Adam's point that an AM gives JB a way of connecting a call to Bourtree cottage just in case but this would tie him to a tight timeframe, ie he couldn't call his AM at 2.30 and then the police an hour later when he has cleaned up. It was bad enough he took ten minutes to look in a phonebook which even in 1985 were listed in alphabetical order!

I vote bluffing.

Agree with that.

He could call his cottage & then cycle straight back & phone the police straight away. He was young & fit so could cycle quickly.

Meaning around a 15 minute delay between Nevill's call & calling the police. He can say he was looking for the number of Chelmsford Police.

[Adam]

Agree with that.

He could call his cottage & then cycle straight back & phone the police straight away. He was young & fit so could cycle quickly.

Meaning around a 15 minute delay between Nevill's call & calling the police. He can say he was looking for the number of Chelmsford Police.

Which is what he has said for the last 30+ years.

[Jane]

How did JB enter and exit WHF that night when everywhere was locked/ sealed within ?

He made a point of saying he'd done it, Lookout, and to prove it, he did it again whilst allegedly knowing he was under surveillance.

[Adam]

If I'm correct in thinking that the tapes in AM's could be replaced, it gives JB an alternative. He can make a call from WHF, check it when he gets back and if it's a satisfactory, just remove the tape.

Assume he could delete the message or replace the tape.

[Munksa]

How did JB enter and exit WHF that night when everywhere was locked/ sealed within ?

It's obvious how he got inside, as he said himself made no difference secured, unsecured he could!

As for exit, I believe it's the bathroom window, more accessible and not the kitchen ? How throughly did the Police check? which Police did and was it noted? Is not clear. I don't have time to discuss this in detail now but shall do when I am next online.  🙂

[Armchair Detective]

Agree with that.

He could call his cottage & then cycle straight back & phone the police straight away. He was young & fit so could cycle quickly.

Meaning around a 15 minute delay between Nevill's call & calling the police. He can say he was looking for the number of Chelmsford Police.

Yep, and this is probably the reason for the timing of the various routes by the plod as Bamber basically fixed the time at around 3.10 but 15 minutes doesn't give him time to catch his breath, never mind get changed, clean up etc. 

I'm still voting bluff.

[Jane]

Assume he could delete the message or replace the tape.

Exactly so.

[Armchair Detective]

He made a point of saying he'd done it, Lookout, and to prove it, he did it again whilst allegedly knowing he was under surveillance.

Yes, but didn't he leave the window unsecured like he was reinforcing his point that he could get in but not lock the windows from outside?

My thought is that probably the whole family, but June and Nevill especially would know about the kitchen window and would notice if the casement stay at the bottom was left insecure.

So does JB work out another exit that he keeps to himself, for example when he is sneaking a look at the contents of the safe?

I think I saw caroline once say that she had closed a sash catch from outside using a piece of cotton? Seems feasible to me.

[Adam]

Yep, and this is probably the reason for the timing of the various routes by the plod as Bamber basically fixed the time at around 3.10 but 15 minutes doesn't give him time to catch his breath, never mind get changed, clean up etc. 

I'm still voting bluff.

Still possible. He had spent months planning & would be ready for a hectic night.

He was in no rush after ringing the police as he wanted to arrive after them. Changing won't take long.

[Adam]

Even David believes it's possible. Posting in 2015 -

'Once everyone is dead and he has cleaned himself up, the last thing he does is call his own answerphone then get back to his within 10 minutes to call police its possible.'

[Jane]

Yes, but didn't he leave the window unsecured like he was reinforcing his point that he could get in but not lock the windows from outside?

My thought is that probably the whole family, but June and Nevill especially would know about the kitchen window and would notice if the casement stay at the bottom was left insecure.

So does JB work out another exit that he keeps to himself, for example when he is sneaking a look at the contents of the safe?

I think I saw caroline once say that she had closed a sash catch from outside using a piece of cotton? Seems feasible to me.

"Another exit" is perfectly feasible. It seems that only certain windows were thoroughly concentrated on, but WHF was a big house.

[Adam]

https://jeremybamberforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,1211.msg404846.html#msg404846

Hartley along with David also believes Bamber had an AM.

[Adam]

https://jeremybamberforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9359.msg437059.html#msg437059

Steve also believes he had an AM on the night.

[Adam]

Skippy also believes Bamber had an AM.

https://jeremybamberforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,5617.msg247415.html#msg247415