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Post by Rubislaw32 on Dec 12, 2015 3:48:57 GMT -8
The plot thickens on the Emma Caldwell case :
A political row is brewing between Glasgow's Daily Record,Police Scotland,The Interception of Communications Commission,The Independent Police Complaints Commission and The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood,Edinburgh.
In March of this year [2015],new government legislation came into force,regarding the legal rights of the police to intercept e-mails and phone calls of suspected ''whistleblowers'' - in essence,police officers and journalists exposing aspects of ongoing police investigations.
Since March,The Interception of Communications Commission has found that Police Scotland have continued this [now] illegal practice - without the approval of The Judiciary.
In April,which marked the 10th anniversary of Emma Caldwell's murder,The Daily Record exposed details of one Mr.Iain Packer,a regular client of Emma Caldwell,who had knowledge of the woods at Roberton,30 miles outside Glasgow where Miss Caldwell's body was found.Mr. Packer has been interviewed on at least six occasions by Police Scotland,in the past ten years,with no charges so far offered.
In April also,BBC reporter Eamon O'Connor produced a radio program about Miss Caldwell's murder,exposing details of a $6 million police operation into four Turkish restaurant workers,suspected of Miss Caldwell's murder - one of which,has subsequently settled out of court,with Police Scotland,for an undisclosed sum.
In May,The Lord Advocate,Frank Mulholland requested that The Emma Caldwell case be re-investigated by Police Scotland.
The Daily Record continue to ''spit blood'',since they are now aware that ''their'' whistleblower - ex-detective Gerry Gallagher,has been found to have had his e-mails and phone calls hacked by Police Scotland.In addition,that Mr,O'Connor claimed that he was subjected to similar illegal monitoring,by Police Scotland.
Since The Daily Record are convinced that their expose on Mr.Packer was the catalyst for an official re-investigation by Lord Mulholland,they believe that Police Scotland ''twiddled their thumbs'' for six weeks,before Lord Mulholland forced their hand into re-investigating the case.
The arrogance of ignorance,by The Daily Record [?].The vain hurt of being left ''out of the loop'' on Emma Caldwell case [?]
Revert back,if you will,to the article published by The Scottish Sunday Express [January 18th],and posted by Ricardo.Pay particular attention,if you will,to Senior Detective Bobby Hendren's words.
I certainly don't see a ''squeak'' from The Scottish Sunday/Daily Express since that January 18th article.
The Scottish Daily Express is the chief Glasgow rival of The Daily Record - and they elect to keep their thoughts and knowledge to themselves.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Dec 12, 2015 13:34:49 GMT -8
Further to my previous post,we can examine what the Press have been up to,in view of ''certain police investigations'' :
In response to an article published by The Scottish Sunday Express on January 18th,claiming a Zodiac connection to least one murder in Scotland [Carol Lannen,Dundee,March 21st 1979],Detective Superintendent Bobby Hendren replied :
''Officers will continue to exploit any opportunities which exist or develop to help bring those responsible for serious and violent crime to justice,and provide answers for families of the victims....Scientific and forensic developments combined with information from the public and determined investigative work,can yield new opportunities in such cases.''.
Following a request from The Lord Advocate[February 27th],that Police Scotland re-investigate the Brenda Page murder [Aberdeen,July 1978],Aberdeen based ''The Press and Journal'' carried an article on July 24th,claiming that Miss Page's elderly sister Rita,doubted that Brenda's murderer would ever be brought to justice.In response,Detective Superintendent Bobby Hendren replied :
''The re-investigation into the murder of Brenda Page is ongoing.''
On August 10th,Dundee based ''The Courier'' published a claim by ex-police intelligence officer Chris Clark,that convicted serial killer Angus Sinclair was responsible for the murders of both Carol Lannen[Dundee,March 21st 1979] and Elizabeth McCabe[Dundee,February 26th 1980].In response,Detective Superintendent Bobby Hendren replied :
''In both the cases [Carol Lannen and Elizabeth McCabe],all investigation opportunities were explored and there were no charges brought [against Angus Sinclair]in relation to the Dundee [Templeton Woods] murders.''.
Following The Lord Advocate's request [May 24th],that Police Scotland re-investgate the murder of Emma Caldwell [Glasgow,April 4th 2005],there have been numerous articles published by Glasgow based ''The Daily Record''.Mostly acrimonious in nature,accusing Police Scotland of monitoring The Daily Record's sources of information.Police Scotland have not responded to these accusations - though in response to BBC reporter Eamon O'Connor's claims of hacking his e-mails and phone calls,Police Scotland have stated that : ''We have had no interest in Mr.O'Connor,neither recently nor at any time.''.
On December 2nd,Scottish Newspapers reported that Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson,Police Scotland,has been requested to appear before a Scottish Parliamentary committee,to answer allegations that Police Scotland have been illegally spying on journalist sources.
Perhaps the ''bitter and spurned'' Daily Record,will have their ''pound of flesh'',after all [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Dec 17, 2015 14:09:35 GMT -8
Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson appeared before a Scottish Parliamentary committee on December 15th [two days ago],to answer allegations of illegal spying on journalist sources - generally understood to be in connection to the Emma Caldwell murder case.
DCC Richardson admitted to Police Scotland's ''failures'',while trying to obtain details of journalist sources.DCC Richardson's mitigation was that his colleague,Detective Superintendent Donald Davidson,had ''misinterpreted'' a new code of conduct that was only 22 days old.
DCC Richardson added : ''The pace of the new guidance which came into being was very aggressive - which may have been a factor in the 'error' made.''.
Further to this,DCC Richardson stated that : ''Police Scotland has taken robust and rigorous steps to comply with requirements in future.''
The Daily Record has been strangely muted,in the last two days.They believe that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson,have known about the illegal monitoring,all along.
Yesterday [December 16th],Nicola Sturgeon flew down to London,for a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron - believed to be to discuss rates of Income Tax levied in Scotland.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Dec 20, 2015 9:24:18 GMT -8
The Daily Record waited for to-day [Sunday,20th December],to launch their salvo on Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson,in their ''Sunday Mail'' edition.
The Daily Record's ''tirade'',however,was more one of resignation to the ''toothless'' attempts by Scottish Parliamentary committee members,to ascertain why Police Scotland were able to illegally spy on journalist sources,and for what precise reasons.
DCC Richardson,''unably'' assisted by Justice secretary Michael Matheson,was given free reign to answer similarly to ''similar'' questions,over and over again - and for more than two hours.
The illegality of Police Scotland's monitoring was,concluded DCC Richardson,an ''error of judgement that is unlikely to happen again''.
The Daily Record,reflecting on this ''narcolepsy induced meeting'',proffered that Emma Caldwell's bereaved would have been perplexed :
''Did none of these committee members wonder what Miss Caldwell's family would have asked,if given the chance ?''.
The Glasgow Newspaper's final thoughts focused on DCC Richardson's reasons for spying - pinpointing a single time that he came close to revealing,when he stated :
''It's technical,it's complicated,and the stakes are extremely high.''.
Naturally,The Daily Record assessed this statement in the context of the irony of moral principles.Perhaps,they have yet to realize that a bigger irony is yet to come [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Dec 28, 2015 14:21:41 GMT -8
Just to examine what DCC Richardson did admit to,since The Daily Record's ''sarcasm'' in their assessment,did to an extent,cloud the ''reality''.
The new laws governing the legality of Law Enforcement's monitoring of journalist sources - on the basis of Judicial approval,came into being on March 25th 2015.These laws are not exclusive to the UK - all nations that are signed up to the charter of Human Rights,which emanates from The Hague,The Netherlands,are subject to these new guidelines.
What DCC Richardson admitted,was that a decision to spy on journalist sources was taken in February - at least a month before the new guidelines.The decision was taken,with regard to The Daily Record [...though he did not refer to them by name...],since it had become apparent that a serving officer from Police Scotland was ''liaising'' with retired detective Gerry Gallagher - The Daily Record's ''whistleblower''.
So,that particular monitoring started out ''legal'' - then became ''illegal'' when the March 25th new guideline came into effect.
What the Scottish Parliamentary committee members and The Daily Record seemed to have missed,so far,is why Police Scotland elected to conduct this monitoring between an employee and Gerry Gallagher in February.
It couldn't by any chance,be to do with another murder or murders,other than Miss Caldwell's ?
Note : The re-investigation into the murder of Brenda Page,was officially requested on February 27th.
Perhaps Police Scotland needed to ''cleanse themselves'' of leaks,before they embark on a ''journey of investigation'' [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 17, 2016 16:59:57 GMT -8
Assistant Chief Constable Rory Nicolson appeared before a Scottish Parliamentary committee,four days ago,and admitted that Police Scotland's ''spying'' unit,had been made aware of the forthcoming new legal guidelines on February 24th[2015],and ordered to ''cease progression'' of spying on journalist sources.
This admission runs contrary to Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson's account that their spying unit were ''caught unawares'',when the new guidelines came into being [March 24th].
The Parliamentary committee has now requested that four other named officers appear before them to give evidence.
Comment :
On the one hand,with the recent appointment of a newly installed Chief Constable,Police Scotland have decided to come clean - Perhaps Chief Constable Grundy has decided that a clean sheet is required.
But one can see that Police Scotland have,to an extent,''shot themselves in the foot'' over this episode [?].Their ''evasiveness'' has only extended the political row - and they risk divulging ''investigation information'' that they were always seeking to keep confidential.
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Post by Ricardo on Jan 18, 2016 2:01:53 GMT -8
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 18, 2016 3:47:49 GMT -8
Very interesting articles from you,Ricardo.There is certainly a ''Pandora's Box'' for True Crime enthusiasts.
I note that Brenda Page gains a mention.If there is any ''moral justice'',with respect to Police Scotland's recent set of cold case investigations,Miss Page's case is top of the list.She was an outstanding pioneer in forensic DNA technology,as a Geneticist lecturer and researcher at Aberdeen University.
Local residents were in shock to learn also,about her ''moonlighting'' occupation as an escort.It has always been assumed that this extra activity lead to her murder.From all accounts,she was a ''lovely girl''.One can overlook the fact that young academics,particularly then [1970's],were poorly paid compared to other professions.Miss Page was merely being ''industrious''.
With her case,so much rests on the success of forensics.The perpetrator had broken into her flat,and lain in wait for her return home,after an evening spent dining with two Oil executives,at a local hotel.She was attacked with a blunt metallic instrument,sustaining massive physical trauma.But she did manage to scratch her attacker,and skin samples under her fingernails may yet solve the case.
Unfortunately,applying old forensics to new technology can be problematic.A continuing theme is often the case that Police,not envisaging the dawn of a new scientific era,did not always store physical samples adequately.
One expects some news on her case,by the first anniversary of Lord Mulholland's re-investigation request.But one can imagine that Police Scotland are in no mood to be rushed - they must be under tremendous pressure,particularly with recent ''political shenanigans '' [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 21, 2016 10:26:38 GMT -8
Further to my previous post here,I note that the first anniversary of Lord Mulholland's re-investigation request for Brenda Page,falls on 27th February - just one month away.Though taking nothing for granted,it is likely that at least one Scottish based Newspaper will refer to this event,and the possibility of a statement from Police Scotland,in response.
So,for anyone taking an interest,a little more regarding Miss Page's case :
Brenda Page's perpetrator had broken into her ground floor city flat,from the rear of the property - time unknown,but it is likely that he was aware that she was out and,indeed,what her business was,that evening.The occupant in the flat above,was an elderly lady,who was none the wiser about anything,until the following day,when Miss Page's body was discovered.
Brenda Page returned home at about 2 a.m.,whereupon she was almost immediately confronted by her attacker,who savagely bludgeoned her to death.Her perpetrator then placed her body in her bed,and remained in flat for a further 2 hours.Police ascertained that the only item removed from the scene,was Miss Page's wristwatch.
At a little after 4 a.m. a milkman,carrying out his early morning rounds,spotted a man carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder,and was able to give a general description to Police.He described the man as ''burly'',with dark moustache,and dark hair,with parting left to right.
It is unknown,the whereabouts of that man,for the next two hours,but a set of likely circumstances did emerge through thorough police investigations,by elimination.
At close to 6:30 a.m.,the perpetrator turned up at Aberdeen Railway station,and boarded the early morning train to Edinburgh - having purchased a ticket prior.This is a train journey of almost three hours.However,the perpetrator did not make full use of his purchase.Instead,it is believed that he travelled only twenty minutes down the line,disembarking at the first stop Stonehaven,an ancient town a few miles south of Aberdeen.
At Stonehaven,The perpetrator's motorcar was parked in the station's car park.The man,then,is believed to have driven back to Aberdeen,or in close proximity to the city.
It is ''pretty strange'' that Miss Page's murderer should go to such lengths,after committing such a heinous crime,since he increased his chances of being identified,significantly.But clearly,he was determined to create a ''red herring'' - that he was [falsely] not an Aberdeen resident - and may even have lived,as far away as Edinburgh.
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Post by Ricardo on Jan 21, 2016 22:55:35 GMT -8
Very interesting articles from you,Ricardo.There is certainly a ''Pandora's Box'' for True Crime enthusiasts. I note that Brenda Page gains a mention.If there is any ''moral justice'',with respect to Police Scotland's recent set of cold case investigations,Miss Page's case is top of the list.She was an outstanding pioneer in forensic DNA technology,as a Geneticist lecturer and researcher at Aberdeen University. Local residents were in shock to learn also,about her ''moonlighting'' occupation as an escort.It has always been assumed that this extra activity lead to her murder.From all accounts,she was a ''lovely girl''.One can overlook the fact that young academics,particularly then [1970's],were poorly paid compared to other professions.Miss Page was merely being ''industrious''. With her case,so much rests on the success of forensics.The perpetrator had broken into her flat,and lain in wait for her return home,after an evening spent dining with two Oil executives,at a local hotel.She was attacked with a blunt metallic instrument,sustaining massive physical trauma.But she did manage to scratch her attacker,and skin samples under her fingernails may yet solve the case. Unfortunately,applying old forensics to new technology can be problematic.A continuing theme is often the case that Police,not envisaging the dawn of a new scientific era,did not always store physical samples adequately. One expects some news on her case,by the first anniversary of Lord Mulholland's re-investigation request.But one can imagine that Police Scotland are in no mood to be rushed - they must be under tremendous pressure,particularly with recent ''political shenanigans '' [?]. Further to my previous post here,I note that the first anniversary of Lord Mulholland's re-investigation request for Brenda Page,falls on 27th February - just one month away.Though taking nothing for granted,it is likely that at least one Scottish based Newspaper will refer to this event,and the possibility of a statement from Police Scotland,in response. So,for anyone taking an interest,a little more regarding Miss Page's case : Brenda Page's perpetrator had broken into her ground floor city flat,from the rear of the property - time unknown,but it is likely that he was aware that she was out and,indeed,what her business was,that evening.The occupant in the flat above,was an elderly lady,who was none the wiser about anything,until the following day,when Miss Page's body was discovered. Brenda Page returned home at about 2 a.m.,whereupon she was almost immediately confronted by her attacker,who savagely bludgeoned her to death.Her perpetrator then placed her body in her bed,and remained in flat for a further 2 hours.Police ascertained that the only item removed from the scene,was Miss Page's wristwatch. At a little after 4 a.m. a milkman,carrying out his early morning rounds,spotted a man carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder,and was able to give a general description to Police.He described the man as ''burly'',with dark moustache,and dark hair,with parting left to right. It is unknown,the whereabouts of that man,for the next two hours,but a set of likely circumstances did emerge through thorough police investigations,by elimination. At close to 6:30 a.m.,the perpetrator turned up at Aberdeen Railway station,and boarded the early morning train to Edinburgh - having purchased a ticket prior.This is a train journey of almost three hours.However,the perpetrator did not make full use of his purchase.Instead,it is believed that he travelled only twenty minutes down the line,disembarking at the first stop Stonehaven,an ancient town a few miles south of Aberdeen. At Stonehaven,The perpetrator's motorcar was parked in the station's car park.The man,then,is believed to have driven back to Aberdeen,or in close proximity to the city. It is ''pretty strange'' that Miss Page's murderer should go to such lengths,after committing such a heinous crime,since he increased his chances of being identified,significantly.But clearly,he was determined to create a ''red herring'' - that he was [falsely] not an Aberdeen resident - and may even have lived,as far away as Edinburgh. I hope there will be breakthroughs in these unsolved cases! You provide a good synopsis of the details about Brenda Page who was murdered in Aberdeen on July 14, 1978. There seemed to be much hope last year when it was announced that Police Scotland would reinvestigate the murder of Brenda Page. Brenda Page murder: Police to reinvestigate 1978 killingwww.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-31660635Brenda Page unsolved murder case reopenedwww.scotsman.com/news/brenda-page-unsolved-murder-case-reopened-1-3704365Unsolved murder case of Brenda Page to be reopened after 37 yearsnews.stv.tv/north/311888-unsolved-murder-case-of-brenda-page-to-be-reopened-after-37-years/There could be enough new evidence to solve murder that shocked the north-eastwww.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/505619/the-murder-that-shocked-the-north-east/However, there were doubts expressed by the sister of Brenda Page. Murdered Aberdeen scientist’s sister accepts killer will never be caughtwww.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/646679/murdered-scientists-loved-ones-accept-that-killer-will-never-be-caught/ |
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Post by Ricardo on Jan 21, 2016 23:06:58 GMT -8
Here is an article from the Glasgow Herald dated August 24, 1978, about Brenda Page.  There was a photofit of a man seen near the crime scene.  The police distributed a flyer asking if anyone had any information.  |
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Post by Ricardo on Jan 21, 2016 23:15:03 GMT -8
Police ascertained that the only item removed from the scene,was Miss Page's wristwatch. Is there any more information about the wristwatch? |
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 22, 2016 0:04:59 GMT -8
Some really good archive material retrieved by you,Ricardo - many thanks.
There never has been any mention of Miss Page's wristwatch,since the original investigation.Naturally,it is presumed that the perpetrator removed it,on account that it gave away ''time of death''.
Motive is presumed to have been ''a spurned client''- Miss Page's ''agent'' was based in Edinburgh,and police did gain some information on his ''book'' of escorts and appointments.Though there had been problems in her divorce,it is believed that she was on good terms with her ex-husband,at the time of her death.
I will post more on further murders,at a later date.In particular,aspects of ''red herrings'' and motorcars.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 25, 2016 3:36:55 GMT -8
I spoke to a local Aberdeen ''honest cop'' to-day.No news on the Brenda Case - but junior policemen would never be privy to such information,anyway.But he did tell me that the word has gone around,not to speak to the Press,under any circumstances.
It almost goes without saying....The Daily Record have spoiled it for everyone.Even with the information they had obtained,was it really in the public's interest,or ''their's'',to publish negative reportage on Police investigations [?].
That The Daily Record should appeal to the public,that they have been hard done by,and appeal to politicians to make Police Scotland accountable,is beyond the pale.After all,''they'' were up to ''dubious'' behavior,employing retired detective Gerry Gallagher,as a ''whistleblower''[?].The Daily Record just happened to get caught ''with their trousers down'' - and now they are using the old chestnut ''Freedom of the Press'',as an excuse for their ''indelicate'' behavior [?].
Any further views would be welcome..
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Post by Ricardo on Feb 29, 2016 0:44:27 GMT -8
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