Bullet entries are more consistent with Sheila being shot on two occasions...

[mike tesko]

I believe that the angle and trajectory of both bullet wounds, one to the right side of the neck, and the other under the chin, are consistent with Sheila being shot twice at different times, in two different parts of the house. I cannot bring myself to accept that Sheila was shot twice as part of the same activity in the bedroom, where the semi-automatic rifle went off for a second time within a split second of the first one, and the rifle end up on Sheila's body with her right hand on the wooden butt of the gun, and the rifle laying bang smack down the middle of her body with the muzzle of the rifle pointing in the general direction of the two wounds under her chin...

The angle and trajectory of both bullets as they entered into her neck and under her chin cannot be linked together and form the conclusion that she was shot twice as part of the same attempt to take her life, both shots as it were being deposited there by a process of recoil - I cannot buy into that theory, which makes it even more difficult for me to accept that someone like Jeremy could have killed her and expected the police to accept that she had taken her own life?

This feature of the case, has not adequately been dealt with by the prosecutions case in my opinion...

If Jeremy was the killer, how did he expect the police to come to an  initial conclusion that Sheila had shot herself twice? Furthermore, why the thread on the end of the guns barrel was free from blood or any sort of contamination considering that the ballistics claim both shots were contact wounds, and there was no silencer or end cap fitted to the end of the guns barrel on the body?

Unless...

Police knew the true circumstances of and for why Sheila had got two shots to her throat, and they knew about the possibility of a silencer being fitted to the gun at the time of the first shot...

A silencer that could have been fitted to a second rifle, or in other words, silencer SBJ/1...

[mike tesko]

It is still possible that the wound to the right side of the neck was self inflicted downstairs, or that she received that wound as part of some sort of a struggle over control or possession of the other gun...

First wound to side of neck was in my opinion, inflicted whilst Sheila was downstairs in the region of the kitchen, and possibly involved another weapon with a silencer fitted to the end of its barrel, this weapon could have been another .22 type rifle, which became subject of a struggle between Ralph and Sheila, at which stage it went off and wounded her - this theory would be consistent with the angle and trajectory of the bullet to the right side of the neck/throat...

The other bullet under the chin, was in my opinion, inflicted whilst Sheila was upstairs in the bedroom...

The withheld officers report about the shooting incident in the kitchen, is the key to how these two wounds inflicted to Sheila were discharged and received...

[clifford]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a richochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

[grahameb]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a richochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

I never thought of that?

[mike tesko]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a richochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

This is a very interesting observation, one which someone else discussed at length with me in 2003/2004 - in the end after much debate we concluded that (a) something had definitely interfered with the velocity of the non fatal bullet (PV/20) because of the very fact that it had been fired into soft tissue in the neck, and it had not had sufficient velocity to penetrate and exit, (b) the claim that the bullet had become fragmented after striking a vertebrae in the neck, could not be and was not substantiated by reference to xrays taken with the fragmented bullet still in situ, and (c) the reason for the fragmentation of bullet PV /20 was subsequently identified, and explains the apparent loss in velocity of that particular bullet, but not the fatal (PV/19) one...

[TJB65]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a richochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

I never thought of that?

Very interesting Cliff

[mike tesko]

The other relevant feature being that both wounds were/are contact, or close contact shots, where one of the bullets (PV/20) lost or had reduced velocity, with accompanying fragmentation, whilst the other (PV/19) did not...

I believe the reason for this has already been identified...

[smiffy]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a richochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

My view is that the first shot cannot have been from a ricochet.
The so called evidence of residue at the wound site ...being used to describe a close range shot is fatally flawed. In my view the second under chin shot was the only close range shot and this would have produced gunshot residue at the wound site.  When Sheila was moved AFTER both shots had been inflicted the act of moving her brought both wound sites into contact with each other allowing transfer of gunshot residue from the second wound to be deposited on the area of the first wound. This means the first wound is incorrectly attributed as to being from a close range shot when in fact such a proposition is unsafe. The problem is that the fact that she was moved after both shots had been fired is sound evidence that her body was staged by someone (the police) and as this is a fact the police will not want to admit they choose to conceal the truth about the transfer of residue between both wounds.

So in my view the first shot could well have been fired by someone else from quite a few feet away and this could well have been a police officer. For instance the trajectory is correct for her both her and  a police officer both being upright and across the room from her firing in say...self defence.

I cannot rule out Sheila shooting her self with a different rifle to the alleged murder weapon and if so it is highly likely it was Pargetter's rifle.

[Hartley]

The other relevant feature being that both wounds were/are contact, or close contact shots, where one of the bullets (PV/20) lost or had reduced velocity, with accompanying fragmentation, whilst the other (PV/19) did not..

Mike, please could you elaborate a little more on how you came to that conclusion, or where it is mentioned in a report?

[mike tesko]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a richochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

My view is that the first shot cannot have been from a ricochet.
The so called evidence of residue at the wound site ...being used to describe a close range shot is fatally flawed. In my view the second under chin shot was the only close range shot and this would have produced gunshot residue at the wound site.  When Sheila was moved AFTER both shots had been inflicted the act of moving her brought both wound sites into contact with each other allowing transfer of gunshot residue from the second wound to be deposited on the area of the first wound. This means the first wound is incorrectly attributed as to being from a close range shot when in fact such a proposition is unsafe. The problem is that the fact that she was moved after both shots had been fired is sound evidence that her body was staged by someone (the police) and as this is a fact the police will not want to admit they choose to conceal the truth about the transfer of residue between both wounds.

So in my view the first shot could well have been fired by someone else from quite a few feet away and this could well have been a police officer. For instance the trajectory is correct for her both her and  a police officer both being upright and across the room from her firing in say...self defence.

I cannot rule out Sheila shooting her self with a different rifle to the alleged murder weapon and if so it is highly likely it was Pargetter's rifle.

Smiffy - consider for the possibility that there may have been transfer
 Of residue from the upper to the lower entry wound site, and I am with you...

[Newbury1]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a ricochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

This is a very interesting theory.

The problem I have is that there is no obvious (disclosed) evidence that indicates that a shot did ricochet off a wall (as far as I am aware). I believe all the shots struck a victim and those that passed through the body were found on the floor/bed.

However sloppy police work, and a ricochet mark being overlooked, could be the reason this was not spotted.

The two cartridge cases relating to SC's wounds were found near her body (or are we dealing here with potentail police tampering with the cartridge cases?).

Cliff, have you an idea when the shot (downstairs), that may have ricocheted, was fired.

I assume, if SC committed the murders, the ricochet wound would have to have been inflicted after she had subdued Nevill?

[mike tesko]

The other relevant feature being that both wounds were/are contact, or close contact shots, where one of the bullets (PV/20) lost or had reduced velocity, with accompanying fragmentation, whilst the other (PV/19) did not..

Mike, please could you elaborate a little more on how you came to that conclusion, or where it is mentioned in a report?

Evidence exists which is in my possession to account for lost or reduced velocity and for why bullet PV20 fragmented, and why the other bullet (PV/19) did not...
 

[clifford]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a ricochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

This is a very interesting theory.

The problem I have is that there is no obvious (disclosed) evidence that indicates that a shot did ricochet off a wall (as far as I am aware). I believe all the shots struck a victim and those that passed through the body were found on the floor/bed.

However sloppy police work, and a ricochet mark being overlooked, could be the reason this was not spotted.

The two cartridge cases relating to SC's wounds were found near her body (or are we dealing here with potentail police tampering with the cartridge cases?).

Cliff, have you an idea when the shot (downstairs), that may have ricocheted, was fired.

I assume, if SC committed the murders, the ricochet wound would have to have been inflicted after she had subdued Nevill?

It is just that [a theory], but worthy of consideration.
The richochet could have happened during the assault on Ralph.
There are countless things in the room that a bullet could had richocheted, but more likely the aga.
The proximity of the two wounds on Sheila are very close, so residue could have come from the fatal.
I do not believe the police tampered with the spent cases, as there was no reason to. it was murder suicide as far as they were concerned.
Raqlph had a wound in the arm which the bullet had passed through, It may have been this bullet that  was found in Sheila's neck.
I also think the autopsy was poorly conducted, and many things missed,for instance he never mentioned the necklace in his report, but it is clearly visible in the xray.

[smiffy]

It is also possible that the first shot was the result of a ricochet down stairs.
I have wondered why the bullet to the neck was fragmented, after all it only went into soft tissue. The bullet to the brain was still intact, even though it went though bone.
This would also explain why the first shot was to the side of the neck.

This is a very interesting theory.

The problem I have is that there is no obvious (disclosed) evidence that indicates that a shot did ricochet off a wall (as far as I am aware). I believe all the shots struck a victim and those that passed through the body were found on the floor/bed.

However sloppy police work, and a ricochet mark being overlooked, could be the reason this was not spotted.

The two cartridge cases relating to SC's wounds were found near her body (or are we dealing here with potentail police tampering with the cartridge cases?).

Cliff, have you an idea when the shot (downstairs), that may have ricocheted, was fired.

I assume, if SC committed the murders, the ricochet wound would have to have been inflicted after she had subdued Nevill?

It is just that [a theory], but worthy of consideration.
The richochet could have happened during the assault on Ralph.
There are countless things in the room that a bullet could had richocheted, but more likely the aga.
The proximity of the two wounds on Sheila are very close, so residue could have come from the fatal.
I do not believe the police tampered with the spent cases, as there was no reason to. it was murder suicide as far as they were concerned.
Raqlph had a wound in the arm which the bullet had passed through, It may have been this bullet that  was found in Sheila's neck.
I also think the autopsy was poorly conducted, and many things missed,for instance he never mentioned the necklace in his report, but it is clearly visible in the xray.

A hollow point bullet would fragment and distort on a ricochet way before it entered anyones body...so a large entry would would be expected and some fragents possibly making additional entry sites.

Bullet case locations are totally out of sync with the wounds on the bodies which indicate someone moved them about. Now this was either the killer or the police. That the police never seemed to raise this issue suggests they are frightened to admit it in my view as it could suggest it was the police that moved the bullet cases.

Shot that went through Ralphs left arm. The bullet for this appears to be missing. It is not one of the 4 that were found in the main bedroom as the lack of blood trails and the 4 bullet exit wounds on June's body account for these. So it appears the bullet that went through Ralphs arm that the pathologist tried to fudge over is actually missing. This has been done either deliberately by the police to conceal that Ralph was likely only to have been  shot in the kitchen area or lower stairs /hall area....or accidentally in that it may have been disposed of in a blood soaked cushion or carpet the police burned that had been in the kitchen. The shot to Ralphs arm if held to his side would have been in a downward direction thus it could have passed through his arm and into something below.  If he was sitting or slumped on his chair in the kitchen when shot...then the cushion on that chair would have been ideally placed for the bullet to enter it. When soaked in blood the entry hole could have easily been missed.

[mike tesko]

Wound to right side of neck did not occur as a result of a ricochet of a bullet that struck the aga, muzzle of weapoin was in a contact position at the time bullet PV/20 was fired - fired with a loss of, or reduced velocity...