Simon Hall Confesses To Murder Of Joan Albert

[Lugg]

Excellent post Lugg.  Very well said. 

Poor Steph. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and also to the family of Joan Albert. Who at last can try and move on with their lives.

[killingeve]

This will at last give some closure to the family of the late Mrs Albert. 

This should in no way impact negatively on JB's case.  I only spent a fraction of the time looking at SH's case compared with time spent looking at JB's.  I was open-minded about Simon's guilt or innocence but always mindful of:

1. Simon Hall had previous for violent conduct - JB had none.

2. This might be viewed as controversial but as an adoptee I'm a firm believer in we are who we are largely as a product of our genetics, mentally and physically.  Simon Hall's birth father I believe had a tendency towards violent/anti-social behaviour - no such behaviour in JB's birth family.

3. Many who believed in Simon's innocence eg Bridget also believe JB to be guilty. 

[nugnug]

i think each case has to be judged on its own merrit of course there will be people who will say they a peoples cre innocent when they arnt but they shouldent reflect on other peoples claims

there are people who cliam to have been  abused who havent but we wouldent dismiss all abuse victems as liars beccouse of this.

[killingeve]

i think each case has to be judged on its own merrit of course there will be people who will say they a peoples cre innocent when they arnt but they shouldent reflect on other peoples claims

Hi Nugnug

Yes I agree each case should be judged on its own merit.

[Michaela]

I feel very sad to hear this news and like nugnug I feel there is something else going on here too.

I do also feel sorry for Stephanie Hall and the Hall family. This has to be a huge shock to them. His mother does not appear to believe it either from what I read.

I do know that some people will not believe it until they hear it from Simon's own mouth. Simon as far as I can see has made no statement. Nor has Stephanie Hall.

I cannot but help wonder about his mental state either. That was well documented on here and elsewhere recently.

I have read all the articles and cannot help but wonder why this has suddenly come about?
It just does not make sense at all.

Why after all these years would someone out of the blue just say "I did it?"

[Jo]

Unfortunately, I had known this for s couple of weeks but was asked not to say anything.
I'm saddened for Shaun and his family and also Stephanie Bon who worked tirelessley for Simon.
Nun nug-I doubt you will get family confirmation because his wife Stephanie is next of kin, so I doubt his family will get any direct news.

[Lugg]

I feel very sad to hear this news and like nugnug I feel there is something else going on here too.

I do also feel sorry for Stephanie Hall and the Hall family. This has to be a huge shock to them. His mother does not appear to believe it either from what I read.

I do know that some people will not believe it until they hear it from Simon's own mouth. Simon as far as I can see has made no statement. Nor has Stephanie Hall.

I cannot but help wonder about his mental state either. That was well documented on here and elsewhere recently.

I have read all the articles and cannot help but wonder why this has suddenly come about?
It just does not make sense at all.

Why after all these years would someone out of the blue just say "I did it?"

Interesting thoughts Michaela. Maybe you're right? But connections inform me that Stephanie is also very shocked.

[Michaela]

I am sure she must be devastated Lugg. 

[Caroline R]

This will at last give some closure to the family of the late Mrs Albert. 

This should in no way impact negatively on JB's case.  I only spent a fraction of the time looking at SH's case compared with time spent looking at JB's.  I was open-minded about Simon's guilt or innocence but always mindful of:

1. Simon Hall had previous for violent conduct - JB had none.

2. This might be viewed as controversial but as an adoptee I'm a firm believer in we are who we are largely as a product of our genetics, mentally and physically.  Simon Hall's birth father I believe had a tendency towards violent/anti-social behaviour - no such behaviour in JB's birth family.

3. Many who believed in Simon's innocence eg Bridget also believe JB to be guilty.

Hi NN, well, said - The biggest impact will be on Jane Albert's family who can finally be rest assured that the right man is serving a sentence and that for them, justice has been done. However, Steph gave so much of herself to fighting her husbands corner in the strong belief that he was innocent. More than anyone Steph has been duped, taking so much criticism and often the victim of vicious and harsh treatment. My thoughts are also with Steph and all of those who knew Simon and trusted in his innocence, I'm sure they are all feeling very betrayed. It was a terrible crime but at least Simon Hall has finally provided closure for the Albert family and I hope those who supported him don't beat themselves up, they simply saw the best in him. 

[killingeve]

I feel very sad to hear this news and like nugnug I feel there is something else going on here too.

I do also feel sorry for Stephanie Hall and the Hall family. This has to be a huge shock to them. His mother does not appear to believe it either from what I read.

I do know that some people will not believe it until they hear it from Simon's own mouth. Simon as far as I can see has made no statement. Nor has Stephanie Hall.

I cannot but help wonder about his mental state either. That was well documented on here and elsewhere recently.

I have read all the articles and cannot help but wonder why this has suddenly come about?
It just does not make sense at all.

Why after all these years would someone out of the blue just say "I did it?"

Hi Michaela

Yes I feel for all Simon's supporters especially his adoptive family and Stephanie who I am sure all genuinely thought Simon innocent.  I know I would feel devastated if proved wrong re JB or he admitted to being responsible. 

I did ask myself the same q when I read this thread ie why now?  I can only think it might have had something to do with change in status ie to open prison pending release 14/15?  It's one hell of a secret to live with and I would imagine the burden was just too great. 

Perhaps we should just allow a little more time for confirmation that Simon has been seen by prison mental health professionals and that his admission is deemed safe?

[maggie]

Hi NN, well, said - The biggest impact will be on Jane Albert's family who can finally rest be assured that the right man is serving a sentence and that for them, justice has been done. However, Steph gave so much of herself to fighting her husbands corner in the strong belief that he was innocent. More than anyone Steph has been duped, taking so much criticism and often the victim of vicious and harsh treatment. My thoughts are also with Steph and all of those who knew Simon and trusted in his innocence, I'm sure they are all feeling very betrayed. It was a terrible crime but at least Simon Hall has finally provided closure for the Albert family and I hope those who supported him don't beat themselves up, they simply saw the best in him.

Very well put Caroline.  I do agree and our thoughts at the moment should be with the victims of this dreadful crime....... Joan Albert, her relatives, Stephanie Hall and of course Simon Hall's relatives.

[nugnug]

there is also the posibilitys that hes decided he just wants freedom at any price.

[Michaela]

I hear what you are saying nugnug but I don't buy that. I thought of it, but that does not make sense to me either.  Why would he want to be freed as the convicted murderer of that poor old lady after protesting innocence for so long?

He is either very mentally ill or new evidence could have appeared? Things could have happened since the other confession re the robbery? Who knows.  Whatever has happened, the police have informed Mrs Albert's family. Who will no doubt also be being harassed by media.

I would imagine the newspapers are chasing all over trying to find the answer to why this has happened now.

[Michaela]

Hi Michaela

Yes I feel for all Simon's supporters especially his adoptive family and Stephanie who I am sure all genuinely thought Simon innocent.  I know I would feel devastated if proved wrong re JB or he admitted to being responsible. 

I did ask myself the same q when I read this thread ie why now?  I can only think it might have had something to do with change in status ie to open prison pending release 14/15?  It's one hell of a secret to live with and I would imagine the burden was just too great. 

Perhaps we should just allow a little more time for confirmation that Simon has been seen by prison mental health professionals and that his admission is deemed safe?

I agree.

[paris]

I am sure she must be devastated Lugg.

I am also in shock. Maybe he felt unable/and under too much pressure to confess previously, due to all the attention and efforts of SH.. she wanted to believe him and had invested so much time, and emotion, that nothing would convince her otherwise..except Simon actually holding his hands up and telling her/admitting 'he did it'.


I hope Stephanie is okay she must be devastated and in need of immediate counselling as she's spent years focusing every waking hour on trying to prove a 'guilty' man to be innocent

Rest in peace Joan Albert, now her family finally have closure.