The case of James Hanratty

[David1819]

Which is why she picked out an innocent man when Peter Alphon was put in a line up 

"In the first line up, Valerie Storie picked out with total certainty an innocent sailor instead of the police suspect Alphon"

https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h/hanratty-james.htm

Just for the record, I believe Hanratty is guilty.

[Steve_uk]

"In the first line up, Valerie Storie picked out with total certainty an innocent sailor instead of the police suspect Alphon"

https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h/hanratty-james.htm

Just for the record, I believe Hanratty is guilty.

If I recall correctly from Paul Foot's book Hanratty's photograph had appeared in the newspapers with him sporting orange hair from a dye he had used to alter his appearance. It was after this that Valerie Storie picked him out of a line-up, the only man with such carrot-orange hair.

[ILB]

I think Hanratty was gulity

But why was a south London boy from bromley at that location on the night in question

[killingeve]

If members want to discuss the Hanratty case, which is a very interesting one, I could split these posts out into a new thread under the Other High Profile Cases board.

Sounds like a plan - thanks.

Does anyone know what sort of DNA testing was undertaken?  I have read that biological material was amplified which might indicate it was LCN DNA testing which works off very small samples and is incapable of identifying the biological source eg semen, sweat, saliva etc.  LCN DNA is frought with problems with contamination.  If the testing wasn't LCN and capable of identifying the biological source eg in this case semen then its surely a slam dunk?

[killingeve]

Sounds like a plan - thanks.

Does anyone know what sort of DNA testing was undertaken?  I have read that biological material was amplified which might indicate it was LCN DNA testing which works off very small samples and is incapable of identifying the biological source eg semen, sweat, saliva etc.  LCN DNA is frought with problems with contamination.  If the testing wasn't LCN and capable of identifying the biological source eg in this case semen then its surely a slam dunk?

I would also put a lot of weight on VS's identification.  Its not like she only caught a fleeting glance and didn't appreciate the significance at the time.  She spent hours with the perp and observed him shooting dead MG and later shooting at herself. 

JH was also diagnosed as a psychopath long before the murder/attempted murder.  He had a troubled past from a very young age if the following is correct?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hanratty

[ngb1066]

Sounds like a plan - thanks.

Does anyone know what sort of DNA testing was undertaken?  I have read that biological material was amplified which might indicate it was LCN DNA testing which works off very small samples and is incapable of identifying the biological source eg semen, sweat, saliva etc.  LCN DNA is frought with problems with contamination.  If the testing wasn't LCN and capable of identifying the biological source eg in this case semen then its surely a slam dunk?

I believe it was LCN DNA testing.

[ngb1066]

There wasn't a satisfactory motive for Hanratty to be the killer. He was a jewel and car thief, not a rapist and murderer. If I remember correctly Paul Foot speaks of witnesses who saw Alphon in the Old Station Inn days before the crime, which lovers Michael Gregsten and Valerie Storie used to frequent. In the book it suggests Alphon was paid by a third party to break up the affair, which does seem a more plausible scenario to my mind.

I agree.  I believe Alphon had some involvement but Hanratty was the one who committed the rape and murder.

 

[ngb1066]

I have split the Hanratty posts and changed the title.  I am having difficulty setting up a new board within this section because there seems to be a glitch with the software but I hope to resolve that soon - I have asked Caroline for help.

[Roch]

Thanks for splitting ngb.

[Steve_uk]

I think Hanratty was gulity

But why was a south London boy from bromley at that location on the night in question

It does seem strange. Paul Foot's theory was that Alphon received money to frighten Gregsten and Storie into ending their affair. Foot obtained copies of his bank statement which showed a few thousand pounds had been paid into his bank account post-murders. Was this from Justice and Fox in an attempt to cast doubt on the Hanratty verdict? Hanratty had an aunt in Bedfordshire, though I'm not sure where.

[killingeve]

I believe it was LCN DNA testing.

Well unfortunately I think there will always be an element of doubt surrounding contamination.  As you probably know LCN DNA testing was suspended for a while.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_copy_number

[killingeve]

I think to do what was done ie murder for no particular reason especially after the perp, probably Hanratty, spent time with the victims and rape VS beforehand shows all the hallmarks of a psychopath which according to professionals Hanratty was. 

What sort of scientist was MG?

[David1819]

It was horrible for the family but Hanratty was a murdering rapist and cruelly treated his family by protesting his innocence to the end and begging them to fight to clear his name posthumously.  They courageously devoted their lives to the cause.

That reminds me of James Duckett. He was convicted of murdering a child. His supporters while trying to clear his name, not only found more damning evidence against him, they also uncovered the fact he had abducted and killed another child in an unsolved case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1pY4QvAtz4

[Steve_uk]

That reminds me of James Duckett. He was convicted of murdering a child. His supporters while trying to clear his name, not only found more damning evidence against him, they also uncovered the fact he had abducted and killed another child in an unsolved case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1pY4QvAtz4

The Duckett case is shocking. Why they didn't charge him with the first murder before he could commit another I don't know. The Paul Foot book is well-written but maybe it's time for me to acknowledge that Hanratty was guilty.

[killingeve]

I think to do what was done ie murder for no particular reason especially after the perp, probably Hanratty, spent time with the victims and rape VS beforehand shows all the hallmarks of a psychopath which according to professionals Hanratty was. 

What sort of scientist was MG?

According to DNA contamination experts they were able to conclude the DNA sample on VS's underwear came from a primary source as opposed to secondary.  Slam dunk at 1hr.10 in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y_7KiYI0q8&t=2819s