No Grahame: if it's Ralph(Nevill) telephoning Jeremy then Jeremy is innocent. But there's just no corroboration of it,and you have to ask yourself why Ralph would seek Jeremy's help in the first place if his recent conversations with Barbara Wilson are true. I'm minded of the alleged remark Jeremy made to Julie in the first of three calls(which in itself is suspicious): "Tonight's the night..it's now or never"..those chilling words which encompass all the coincidences which to Jeremy's mind were working in his favour that week: all under one roof,a sick sister who may have threatened an electrician,Ralph himself feeling under par,the telephones not in the correct order to avert suspicion that there was no telephone to hand in the master bedroom. They were all sitting ducks faced with Jeremy's malevolence,which to this day he is still not admitting..
The jury would have discussed this to
Reasons for Neville not to phone Jeremy -
Jeremy may not answer the phone. If he does it may not be for a long time. It was 3am. Jeremy himself said in the interview transcripts he slept 'like a log' that night.
Jeremy will not be over for a long time. He has to get dressed & drive over.
Neville is putting his son Jeremy in danger. Sheila has gone 'crazy' with a gun.
Neville was big, strong & had been in the army. As the head of the family his pride will make him want to resolve the situation. As Jeremy said, Neville would want to keep things private. If Jeremy knew Neville liked to keep things private, why did he phone the police ?
Jeremy & Sheila did not get on. Jeremy telling the police on the night 'I don't get on with her at all. I don't like her & she does'nt like me'. Jeremy also told the police on the night Sheila is a 'nutter'.
Jeremy has said himself that in 1985 he did not understand Sheila's illness. Neville would have known this & knew Jeremy may be insensitive in a serious situation.
Several people have testified that Jeremy hated his parents. Neville would be aware of this. Would Jeremy be bothered enough to drive over quickly, or drive over at all ? The police have testified that Jeremy was driving very slowly to WHF.
Having Jeremy there would make the situation worse. Barbara Wilson said there was often a bad atmosphere in the house when Jeremy was present.
Neville answered the phone that evening before 10am. He was apparently short & the caller said it sounded like she had interrupted an argument. Had Jeremy been upsetting people ? If so it is doubtful Nevill will ask him back over a few hours later.
Having more people in the house may make Sheila more 'crazy'.
Jeremy did not have a front door key (as far as I know). Was a 'crazy' Sheila going to let Neville answer the front door ? Or was Jeremy going to shout through the letterbox !
Jeremy was not known for being especially brave or macho. Certainly no more so than Neville. As mentioned Jeremy was seen driving very slowly to WHF.
According to Barbara Wilson, Neville knew Jeremy had broken into the caravan site & stole nearly £1,000. Neville & Jeremy's relationship at the time would have been very poor.
Jeremy claimed several years later that there was proof Neville phoned the police. The EP have never said they got a call from Neville. However if Jeremy is correct the police would be more experienced in dealing with this sort of situation. So Neville would not need to call Jeremy.
There is no time for Neville to make a phone call. Dial up phones are slow & the phone numbers in Essex are long. Jeremy may not answer for a long time.
Although Neville was proud, he was not stupid. In this serious situation if he was going to use the phone it would be to dial 999. Why ring Jeremy if the police were coming over ?
In the heat of the moment it is doubtful Neville will think 'let me phone Jeremy who will sort everything out'.
Jeremy had worked a long day at the farm. Tomorrow would be another long day. Neville knew Jeremy needed his rest.
Neville & Sheila got on well. If Neville could not contain her, Jeremy certainly could not.
