Fight between Sheila and June

[David1819]

Am I right in thinking Rivlin believed that Bamber was innocent or might have been, his interpretation of the silencer evidence being that it was on the gun and the blood inside was a mixture of Nevill's and June's - the expert witness allowing this as a possibility albeit a "remote" one.

Rivlin chose this defence narrative to present to the jury. It does not necessarily mean he believed it.

[Adam]

The defence narrative is Nevill rang Jeremy after he had been shot 4 times. The prosecution saying he was too badly injured to talk.

The defence could say Sheila put the silencer on while everyone was sleeping. Which would explain why June & Nevill were shot in bed.

However very unlikely Nevill would run downstairs and start phoning Bamber's AM after being shot 4 times.

[snow66!]

The defence narrative is Nevill rang Jeremy after he had been shot 4 times. The prosecution saying he was too badly injured to talk.

The defence could say Sheila put the silencer on while everyone was sleeping. Which would explain why June & Nevill were shot in bed.

However very unlikely Nevill would run downstairs and start phoning Bamber's AM after being shot 4 times.

He didn't, he phoned before going upstairs to be shot, after lying against the Aga, Adam.

[David1819]

I think Rivlin was a very poor choice.  He was a prosecutor and this was the first defence case he had handled.  There are several leading defence barristers at that time who I knew well who would very probably have secured an acquittal on the evidence.  Kingsley Napley were a bad choice of solicitor.  They handled few criminal cases but made their name on the Jeremy Thorpe trial.  They did not normally accept legal aid work but for some reason accepted this case.  They were not familiar with the legal aid system so did not get approval for the right expert witnesses.

Does that also include yourself NGB? 

[BarefootDanC]

Does that also include yourself NGB? 

Why would someone experienced mainly as a prosecutor, not have the necessary skills for mounting a robust defence?

[ILB]

Ed lawson, his junior at the time represented a mate of mine years later.

Good counsel, died some years ago.

[David1819]

Why would someone experienced mainly as a prosecutor, not have the necessary skills for mounting a robust defence?

Would you get on a Boeing aircraft knowing the pilot was only experience and licensed to fly Airbus?

[Hardy Boy]

Does anyone in this group believe there was a fight between Sheila and June?

I have heard it be claimed that Sheila had defensive injuries, Vanezis lying saying that she didn't. and these were scratches from a fight with June.

Its rubbish Dan, to suggest everyone else missed these so called marks and Gouges, Bernard Knight the defence Pathologist who performed forensic autopsies would want to see every Photo so he could scrutinise and look for holes in the prosecution case.  Besides a body is washed as a part of an autopsy to remove substances like makeup, blood, or dirt that might obscure injuries and to allow for a thorough examination of wounds, scars, and tattoos. To say Venezis missed these or chose not to include them is utter none sense, beside I know for a fact the Jury was shown washed and unwashed photo’s of Sheila to compare.

[ngb1066]

Does that also include yourself NGB? 

No, The case needed a leading QC.  I was at the time of the trial reasonably experienced but not at that level. 

[ngb1066]

Am I right in thinking Rivlin believed that Bamber was innocent or might have been, his interpretation of the silencer evidence being that it was on the gun and the blood inside was a mixture of Nevill's and June's - the expert witness allowing this as a possibility albeit a "remote" one.

I do not know what Rivlin's personal views were on the case.  As far as I know he never expressed a view.

[ngb1066]

Why would someone experienced mainly as a prosecutor, not have the necessary skills for mounting a robust defence?

He certainly was skilled but he had the mindset of a prosecutor.  I am suggesting that other counsel would have been more suited to the case and would more likely secured an acquittal.

 

[Hardy Boy]

He certainly was skilled but he had the mindset of a prosecutor.  I am suggesting that other counsel would have been more suited to the case and would more likely secured an acquittal.

Did you know Alridge NGB?

[David1819]

He certainly was skilled but he had the mindset of a prosecutor.  I am suggesting that other counsel would have been more suited to the case and would more likely secured an acquittal.

And despite of that (combined with an unfair summing up fresh in their minds) Rivlin almost split the jury. I think an acquittal would be more of a given.

[ngb1066]

Did you know Alridge NGB?

I did not know him personally HB, but I saw him regularly.

[BarefootDanC]

And despite of that (combined with an unfair summing up fresh in their minds) Rivlin almost split the jury. I think an acquittal would be more of a given.

Why was it unfair? Please post the summing up.