five year old missing!!

[welshcowgirl]

No i wasnt going to say stuff that i had been told. It could get my brother into serious trouble if i had. It was just my own thoughts, and i was going to pm it as i felt it was to graphic to post on here.

I now feel its even to graphic for a pm. X

 

[admiral765]

Does anyone know why the case is adjourned until 11th January? That's such a long time! Is it just to give them the best chance if collecting more evidence or is it genuinely how long these cases take. I cannot imagine the agony the family are going through! Also in January, is this when he will plead guilty or not guilty? I know it's silly but I just want him to have to say now to just put her family out of their misery if he has unfortunately done the unthinkable xx

 

[Redhead84]

It's how long it takes - once in the court system it has to compete for tine with all the other cases already in the system - one cannot be bumped for another, it's just not the way it works.

There is also the time that needs to be scheduled for the trial, and longer trials are more difficult to fit into the timetable than day long theft trials for instance.

 

[Tasha]

It does seem a long time away doesnt it? But even things that arent high profile and are in say a family court can take ages. On the 11th January, from what I understand he will make his plea, if he goes not guilty then they will work out a date for the case to be heard (I think this time next year, if not later from other cases) but if he pleads guilty then there will be no trial and the judge will just be shown all the evidence.

I think thats right?

 

[Redhead84]

If he pleads not guilty, a date will be set for trial, as said, this could be this time next year.

If he pleads guilty, unlikely but may happen, then he will meet with the probation service so a pre-sentence report can be compiled for the judge. A sentencing hearing will then take place, usually around a month after the plea hearing, and the prosecution will outline the case, the defence will speak in mitigation and the judge will consider the sentence. It is worth saying that if he pleads guilty, he will be entitled to a third off any tariff handed down for an early guilty plea, this is the same for all.

 

[Tasha]

Thank you so much Redhead, it is great to clarify stuff with someone who actually knows that side of it.

 

[welshcowgirl]

Ive just read on facebook something about the judge wanting the case delt with asap for the familys sake. I dont know if this means the original date moving forward or after january. X

 

[Redhead84]

Ive just read on facebook something about the judge wanting the case delt with asap for the familys sake. I dont know if this means the original date moving forward or after january. X

Well the date will have been set at the hearing so it's incredibly unlikely it'll get moved forward from January.


It's all very well the Judge saying this, but it'll depend on court timetabling, and his own schedule (if he is to preside over the trial itself). Is it right that, for instance, a rape trial may be bumped back for this, or a whole set of people who may have been wronged by someone..a prolific burglar let's say, have to wait another 6 months for justice? I don't think it is, but that's just my opinion - it's awful I know, but this case will just have to wait it's turn, like every other.

The judge may have been giving a veiled warning to both the prosecution and defence to not drag matters out - a GBH case I am currently involved in is still months away from trial because of messing about on both sides.. The alleged assault took place in Sept 2011.

 

[Tasha]

I agree with Redhead, as much as there is such public interest, it would be wrong to bump this up the list because the vast majority of crimes reaching court would (I imagine) have victims and the victim most likely has a family. Of course it might be on a different scale, but it will of impacted of them, their life could be on hold and then imagine being told you've waited a year for this to come to court but hey you're just going to have wait another six months cos this case with more public interest has come up?

Wow, redhead that is ages. The man that was attacked with a glass bottle at some celeb party for blackberry, and later died in hospital, case goes to court this month and the attack (and death) happened in April, so six months.

 

[KittyVentura]

It's how long it takes - once in the court system it has to compete for tine with all the other cases already in the system - one cannot be bumped for another, it's just not the way it works.

There is also the time that needs to be scheduled for the trial, and longer trials are more difficult to fit into the timetable than day long theft trials for instance.

Yeah. Sian was a pretty high profile murder, not on this scale but still, national press etc. She was killed early 2011 and the trial isn't until Feb 2013.

These things can take a LOOOONG time

 

[Foogirl]

On the plus side, the intervening months will hopefully mean that April is found, which will make securing a conviction easier.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

On the plus side, the intervening months will hopefully mean that April is found, which will make securing a conviction easier.

Or not. There could be evidence that her death was accidental. The act would be there, but they have to prove he had forethought or intent to kill April to make a higher crime stick. It's all very complicated once it gets to the legal level.

 

[freedom08]

haven't posted on the thread in awhile.

But i really don't think they are every going to find this poor little girl. Another mccann case. What do you think? I really hope they will find her for her parents sake

 

[Ozzieshunni]

haven't posted on the thread in awhile.

But i really don't think they are every going to find this poor little girl. Another mccann case. What do you think? I really hope they will find her for her parents sake

I'm still suspicious of McCann's parents. I'm sorry. It just doesn't add up there, but that's another case.

 

[Tasha]

freedom, I do think April will be found. Maybe not immediately but

 

[Jade--x]

I think with it being so high profile its even LESS likely to be bumped up. As horrible as it is between now and that specific trial, other horrific crimes will happen that the public will be focused on and then the specifics of this specific case won't be as fresh in peoples minds..And they're more likely to get a fair trial. Take the Phillpotts for example there was outrage, especially as I live in the same town with loads of people that know them personally, their trial isn't until January, while no one has forgot what happened, its not as fresh in their minds and there's not as much theories flying around and things as Aprils for example which everyones been occupied with, if that makes sense?

 

[lhancock90]

I really think its good that the trial is further away, it means it's less likely to be at the forefront of peoples minds and therefore, a better chance at a fair trial.

 

[ChloesMummy]

co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9600265/The-tangled-family-ties-between-Mark-Bridger-and-April-Jones.html

Very distantly related and it says because of the witnesses age the case should be heard quicker.

I hope they find her soon

 

[chell5544]

On the plus side, the intervening months will hopefully mean that April is found, which will make securing a conviction easier.

Or not. There could be evidence that her death was accidental. The act would be there, but they have to prove he had forethought or intent to kill April to make a higher crime stick. It's all very complicated once it gets to the legal level.

Yes and no tho if it was accident they will charge him with manslaughter however if the body has an indications of sexual assault then he will be charges with those crimes aswel

 

[chell5544]

haven't posted on the thread in awhile.

But i really don't think they are every going to find this poor little girl. Another mccann case. What do you think? I really hope they will find her for her parents sake

I'm still suspicious of McCann's parents. I'm sorry. It just doesn't add up there, but that's another case.

This is true can anyone shed some light with me tho how come in maddiline a case the press/Portuguese police were allowed to disclose evidence found but in april case they are not untill the trial?