Statement of Ann Eaton 8th - 13th September 1985

[Lugg]

We still bring crimes of war criminals to justice don't we? Is that not the same thing....after the fact...

Well I think we're aiding and abetting a criminal by our silence, knowing that he has committed a crime, love for that person is not counted as a valid reason.

[Bridget]

I am not sure? But I believe the law says that you have a duty to report a crime and in failing to do that you may by that action be aiding and abetting that criminal?

From what I can see that is only an offence if you receive 'consideration' for not disclosing the information. But I'm way out of my comfort zone here, hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about will assist

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1967/58/section/5

[Bridget]

This is an extract from Blackstones Criminal Practice 2012. It refers to the offence of assisting an offender but the wider comment is relevant:

[Patti]

Well I think where aiding and abetting a criminal by our silence, knowing that he has committed a crime, love for that person is not counted as a valid reason.

I don't understand legal stuff or criminal cases....Does it not depend on what the law legislated at the time the supposed crime was committed?  For example if I wore a seatbelt on the 19th and the law did not come into power till 20th then I would not be charged with that offence. 

If I passed a speed camera I might not get charged on the day I passed it, but a few days later I will receive notification that I had been charged with the offence and this is because the law was in legislation at the time I committed the offence.   

You see how I make things up lol 

[killingeve]

I can't believe that 'witholding' vital evidence in the early stages of a police investigation into the murder of 5 people is not a criminal offence and punishable as such.

Had JB have walked would the prosecution, police, relatives, media etc have accepted that JB was innocent, or would they have turned on JM and said had she not have witheld vital information on day 2 when she made her first wit stat more evidence would have been preserved and a conviction more likely? 

[Caroline R]

Hi Caroline

I find it difficult to believe that it's not illegal.  Also Rivlin said he went through JM's stats with a fine tooth combe for inconsistencies!!??  Was the jury denied yet another opportunity to weigh up all the evidence ie her change of heart from wit stat of 8th Aug to 8th/9th Sep along with the silencer potentially being contaminated either accidentally or deliberately!!??

Hi NN, I have to agree - however, I am sure some where along the line she was offered immunity!! 

[killingeve]

Hi NN, I have to agree - however, I am sure some where along the line she was offered immunity!!

I thought the offer of immunity related to the cheque book fraud only? 

[Alias]

I thought the offer of immunity related to the cheque book fraud only?

We don´t know that. She isn´t going to tell us, I am sure, and neither is Essex Police.

[Steve_uk]

Even with access to Julie's statement it was the head of investigation DCI Taff Jones' belief that they were dealing with four murders and a suicide,so Julie can hardly be blamed for that.

[Caroline R]

I thought the offer of immunity related to the cheque book fraud only?

I'm sure it related to that 'as well' 

[Lugg]

I can't believe that 'witholding' vital evidence in the early stages of a police investigation into the murder of 5 people is not a criminal offence and punishable as such.

Had JB have walked would the prosecution, police, relatives, media etc have accepted that JB was innocent, or would they have turned on JM and said had she not have witheld vital information on day 2 when she made her first wit stat more evidence would have been preserved and a conviction more likely?

I think it depends if she gave Bamber a false alibi or not? Did she do or say anything to the police about the murders before she gave her testimony?

[Lugg]

We don´t know that. She isn´t going to tell us, I am sure, and neither is Essex Police.

This one of those things in this case that causes me to doubt certain things. I really would like to know what actually went on "behind the scenes" in regards to JM and Essex Police.

[Lugg]

Even with access to Julie's statement it was the head of investigation DCI Taff Jones' belief that they were dealing with four murders and a suicide,so Julie can hardly be blamed for that.

We aren't blaming her for that. We are blaming her for knowing certain things that the police did not know and yet held back on what she did know. If indeed what she knew was true of course?

[killingeve]

I think it depends if she gave Bamber a false alibi or not? Did she do or say anything to the police about the murders before she gave her testimony?

Hi Lugg

JM states in her wit stat dated 7th/8th SEPT that she asked JB on 7th AUG if he did it.  He stated no he did not but MM did.  However when JM gave her first wit stat on 8th AUG she makes no ref to JB's confession of 7th AUG.  So surely witholding vital information highly relevant to a major crime is a criminal offence? 

JM did not provide JB with an alibi. 

[killingeve]

Even with access to Julie's statement it was the head of investigation DCI Taff Jones' belief that they were dealing with four murders and a suicide,so Julie can hardly be blamed for that.

Yes and imo he was/is spot on and this is further supported by JM's wit stat of 8th Aug.  However, if he is guilty, and I don't for one minute believe that he is, then had JM have 'fessed' up on 8th Aug DCI Taff Jones would, I'm sure, have been all ears.  He would not have been able to say 'arr but you're a scorned woman aren't you'?  The police would then have treated the soc differently: thorough search of WHF and a find of the silencer, preserved the carpets, put a stop to the cremations.  Had she have feared not being taken seriously then at least her conscience would have been clear.  Why did she not discuss this with her mother or another family member or a friend or Colin or Ann Eaton when she left the morgue?  I would suggest because it was all a pack of lies.  I don't buy into your ridiculous excuse that she was love struck and spell bound by JB.  In one breath you would have us believe that JB is in the bottom 10% of the population in terms of iq, which would render him unable to carry out all but the simplest taks, and on the other hand according to you he is capable of sweet talking, controlling and manipulating a woman educated to degree level 

I find the tone/style of JM's wit stat on 8th Aug completely different to her later ones.  I guess she had a 'helping hand' with the others?  Anyone agree?