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Post by Ricardo on Feb 29, 2016 0:50:02 GMT -8
1978 photofit in the Brenda Page case  1979 photofit in the Carol Lannen case  Was this the same person or a different person? |
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 3, 2016 1:15:09 GMT -8
An interesting article,published by The Daily Record,and posted by Ricardo.A very ''human'',and non-opinionated piece of reportage - and issued on the eve of the first anniversary of Brenda Page's re-investigation request.
Perhaps a change of tact,for The Daily Record ?The last six months of 2015,they appeared to be in a bitter dispute over ''Freedom of the Press'' rights,directed at Police Scotland,whom they saw as ''antagonists''.
It is now emerging,through various journal editorials,that Police Scotland conducted their ''monitoring'' of The Daily Record,with the assistance of UK's elite counter terrorism unit.No doubt the complete truth will surface at a later date.
What perhaps,is a sobering thought,is that Police Scotland viewed The Daily Record's indelicate ''trespassing'',as something akin to ''High Treason'' [!].
No wonder The Daily Record were beginning to become ''quite anxious'' in their protestations,and appealing to the public and politicians,that they had been hard done by.
Like frightened ''Schoolgirls'',The Daily Record were ''wetting their knickers''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 10, 2016 12:09:11 GMT -8
Just as The Daily Record appear to have quietly withdrawn with battered pride,Aberdeen's Press and Journal ''re-enters the arena''with an article in yesterday's Evening Edition,claiming that Detective Inspector David Moran has reported to the Justice Committee at Holyrood,that Detective Chief Constable Neil Richardson has falsely identified him,as the serving officer passing investigation information on to The Daily Record's whistleblower,retired Detective Gerry Gallagher.This,officially,in relation to The Emma Caldwell murder.
DI David Moran has said that these claims made by DCC Richardson,were ''Outrageous and completely false - and extremely injurious to my reputation.''.
One might note that DCC Richardson's evidence to the Justice Committee,in December,was subsequently contradicted by Assistant Chief Constable Rory Nicholson the following month.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said : We are aware of David Moran's correspondence to the Justice Committee,and are reviewing its content,including the allegation.''.
It has now become public knowledge that the Major Investigation unit examining cold cases,including Miss Caldwell's,is known as ''The Murder Squad''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 12, 2016 2:14:30 GMT -8
The naming of ''The Murder Squad'' by the Press and Journal,and subsequently by ''The Herald'' now makes real what has been known,in certain circles,for a while.
In fact,one member of this unit will be known to those who take an interest : Detective Superintendent Malcolm Stewart,who heads up the Brenda Page murder re-investigation in Aberdeen,and appointed by ''Law Chief'' Frank Mulholland.
At the time [February 27th 2015] of this re-investigation,Mulholland made mention of ''other cases in the North East of Scotland''.So it is no surprise that the Templeton Woods murders have come under Press scrutiny - with their ''open status'' discounting Police Scotland from an official announcement.
In May of last year Mulholland officially requested the re-investigation of the Emma Caldwell murder,and intimated appointments from a number of police forces,with an ''assurance'' that no officers involved in previous investigations would take part.
What is becoming increasingly apparent,in the wake of the debacle of the spying scandal between Police Scotland and The Daily Record,is that Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson,and his officers,have been ''sidelined'' on recent new investigations.DCC Richardson held the position of No.2 to Chief Constable Sir Stephen House,who accepted ''early retirement'' last August,and stood down in December.This,in light of what was perceived as a catalog of errors and ''PR blunders''.
Sadly for the hapless DCC Richardson,who was also overlooked for the available new ''Chief Constable'' position,he has had to try to ''shore up'' and ''damage limit'' the debacles of the past - with little or no success.
On an optimistic note,Frank Mulholland has been quoted as saying that he would not be taking such measures [as re-investigation requests] without believing in ''a reasonably good chance of a successful outcome''.But he has also warned of ''a long road ahead''.
It appears that Police Scotland are only beginning to realize that the Press are simply not that patient.With the additional knowledge that,traditionally,the Police's Public Relations skills have never been considered ''well honed'',it may remain a rocky road ahead for them,without ''results'' forthcoming [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 15, 2016 15:45:25 GMT -8
It has been announced,today,that Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson,is to stand down in his position as ''No.2'' to new Chief Constable of Police Scotland,Phil Gormley.Formal resignation from the force will follow,when his contract expires,later this year.
Having been accused of giving false evidence to Holyrood's Justice Committee,in December,DCC Richardson has recently been accused of falsely naming Detective Inspector David Moran,as the serving officer passing information to The Daily Record's whistleblower,retired detective Gerry Gallagher.
The Emma Caldwell murder investigation has,effectively,cost DCC Richardson his career.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 27, 2016 18:46:39 GMT -8
It has been announced that Frank Mulholland,The Lord Advocate,and ''Law Chief'' of Scotland,will stand down from his position in May,having held office for five years.Described as a ''Career Prosecutor'',it is assumed he will return to the practice of Criminal Prosecutions.H.M.Queen Elizabeth II will announce his replacement in due course.
Following Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson's [effective] resignation,a week ago,it has been further announced that Assistant Chief Constable Rory Nicholson and Assistant Chief Constable Val Thompson,are also to resign their posts with Police Scotland,later in the year.One might note that it was ACC Nicholson's evidence to Holyrood's Justice Committee,in January,that contradicted DCC Richardson's evidence,given in December.This in relation to allegations of illegal spying on The Daily Record sources,with respect to The Emma Caldwell murder investigation.
With a newly installed Chief Constable Phil Gormley,it's pretty much all change at the top,in both policing and judicial prosecution,though no further news on ''outstanding Cold Cases''.But,with the eleventh anniversary of Miss Caldwell's murder,just a week away,one feels that the Newspapers are merely taking a break to ''sharpen their pencils''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Apr 1, 2016 13:53:27 GMT -8
In an interview to ''The Herald'' five days ago,retired Detective Geoff Fisher,gave opinions about Police Scotland's ill-fated investigation into four Turkish restaurant workers,suspected of the murder of Emma Caldwell.Fisher also agreed that Detective David Moran is innocent of accusations,that he was the serving officer passing information on to The Daily Record.
However,what is becoming increasingly apparent,is that ''disgruntled'' ex-policeman all seem to assume,like The Daily Record themselves,that ''suspect'' Iain Archer,interviewed on six occasions by detectives,was somehow overlooked by Police Scotland,as the real culprit responsible for Miss Caldwell's murder.
What is now known,is that Mr.Archer had knowledge of the woods at Roberton,where Miss Caldwell's body was discovered.But,however,so did countless clients of Miss Caldwell and fellow prostitutes.This wood appears to be where ''curb crawlers'' were happy to drive their ''pick ups'' out of Glasgow,for the purpose of privacy.A thirty mile distance out of Glasgow,may seem a long way to drive - but Glasgow is a huge conurbation - perhaps three times the size of San Francisco,for example.
One may note that ''Templeton Woods'' a ''night time'' secluded peripheral area of Dundee,used for the same purpose by prostitutes and curb crawlers,is no more than six miles away from Dundee city center.But Dundee is a relatively small city - perhaps one third of the size of San Francisco,for example.
The re-investigation of Emma Caldwell,as revealed in this interview with Geoff Fisher by The Herald,is headed up by Detective Superintendent David McLaren.So,two members of the so called ''Murder Squad'' are DS David McLaren and DS Malcolm Stewart,who heads up the Brenda Page re-investigation.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Apr 3, 2016 4:29:55 GMT -8
Based on [London] Scotland Yard's recent intervention in the infamous disappearance of toddler Madelaine McCann from a Portuguese tourist resort in 2007,I was trying to work out costs for operations,such as re-investigations.
The Police costs work out at about $75,000,per person,per year,for employees working on a specific case.
But this can be ''small fry'',compared to ''Forensics'' and Laboratory work undertaken.The ''spate'' of CSI TV series in recent years certainly gives misleading information [!].A recent interview with a laboratory specialist admitted that the TV programs have given their profession an air of glamour,but the realities were,as he pointed out : ''We don't visit a hair salon first thing in the morning,followed by a fitting for Designer clothes - and we definitely don't solve cases inside 60 minutes ! ''.
As an example on costs,a woolen sweater found draped over ''Templeton Woods'' victim Elizabeth McCabe cost the taxpayer about $2 million,to be presented in court,as a ''crucial'' forensics exhibit,complete with scientific information garnered.This,in 2007.
As it transpired,after hearing expertise opinions from both Prosecution and Defense,the Judge described the ''exhibit'' as ''Not fit for purpose'' [potential contamination] - and subsequently recommended to the jury that they set free defendant,taxi driver Vincent Simpson - which they did,after only three hours deliberation,following seven weeks of witness testimony and ''evidence''.Thankfully,in the years following,it appears likely the Judge and Jury were correct in their assessments.
Returning to financial costs - the answer really lies in ''intention'' - to what extent are the principles of justice ''affordable'' to a particular society [?].
With respect to the case of Madelaine McCann,Scotland Yard have admitted that a further six months of investigation is warranted.But sadly,beyond this,it will depend on private funding from charitable donations.
First rule of Economics - ''There is a scarcity of resources''....no matter what our principles happen to be.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Apr 3, 2016 14:50:28 GMT -8
Today,on the eve of the eleventh anniversary of the murder of Emma Caldwell,Detective Superintendent David McLaren,who leads the re-investigation into her death,vowed to catch Miss Caldwell's killer.
DS McLaren praised his team of detectives,based at Police HQ in Stirling,now ten months into the re-investigation,siting their dedication to the inquiry.In addition,he referred to a forensics strategy which ''....seeks to take advantage of advances in technology,by using new approaches to sample analysis.''.
DS McLaren's colleague,Detective Chief Inspector Bob Frew,further added : ''The investigation is very active.We remain committed to resolving Emma's murder,and continue to liaise with her family...''.
A big effort,then,to improve Police Scotland's PR profile [?].
Last month,an application to take legal action against the BBC,siting plagiarism,was made by The Daily Record's whistleblower,retired Detective Gerry Gallagher.This in relation to BBC reporter Eamon O'Connor's radio documentary ''Who killed Emma''.
Judge Chris Hughes ruled that the application be thrown out,with decision final.
Perhaps Mr.Gallagher will have to start looking for a new source of income [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Apr 23, 2016 17:32:34 GMT -8
In light of a recent police press release,indicating that the Emma Caldwell re-investigation remains ongoing after 11 months,no news has officially been released regarding the re-investigation of the murder of Dr.Brenda Page.
I am aware,though unable to give further details,that the Brenda Page re-investigation also remains ongoing,after 14 months.The re-investigation team continue to work in the city of Aberdeen,where Dr.Page was murdered,almost 38 years ago.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Apr 28, 2016 15:57:50 GMT -8
I note that Glasgow based ''The Daily Record'' have recently picked up the award for ''scoop of the year'' at the annual Scottish Press Awards ceremony.
This ''prize''for their piece on exposing Mr. Iain Archer as a curb crawler who had been interviewed on six occasions,by Police Scotland,in relation to the murder of Emma Caldwell.
The Daily Record ''bangs on'' about Mr.Archer as ''a forgotten suspect'',as if Police Scotland might have had a memory lapse,while investigating a high profile murder.In addition,they have adopted the idea that it was they who forced The Lord Advocate's hand in requesting a re-investigation of the case.Are we to assume that,merely based on The Daily Record's claim,that this was the case ?
Having later been informed that Police Scotland had been spying on them for 22 days illegally,The Daily Record went into ''victimhood'' mode,convincing themselves that the public would really care that they had been subjected to ''foul play'' - given that they were trespassing on confidential police investigations,in the first place.
But politicians' hands were forced,and an intervention saw four senior policemen and,effectively,The Lord Advocate,fall on their swords,as a result.
''Scoop of the year'' ? More accurately,the annual award for ''Snivelling weasels'' [?].
One wonders just when ''the spirit of the law'' can ever be justifiably implemented [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on May 26, 2016 11:00:26 GMT -8
The father of Mr.Iain Archer,has appealed to the press and pubic,alike,to leave his son alone,and allow him to live his life in peace,now that it is apparent that he has been
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jun 16, 2016 12:27:52 GMT -8
As reported in Scottish Newspapers 4 days ago [June 12th],Scotland's Crown Prosecution service has announced that,in examining the evidence and law as it stands,they have found that Police Scotland did not actually commit a criminal offence in monitoring Newspaper sources - the inference of which,created the so called ''Spying scandal''.This,in relation to the Emma Caldwell murder investigation.
The Crown Prosecution service have informed Police Scotland of this,and that there will be no legal action taken against them,with respect to this matter.
From a layman's perspective,it apparently comes down to the specific description of communication,that Police Scotland were monitoring,at the time -which fell into a legal category still governed by 1998 legislation,as opposed to the [then] new Human Rights legislation,which had presumed to have deemed Police Scotland's ''spying'' illegal.
At the time that the ''scandal'' broke,there was much ''head scratching'' as to what,precisely,politicians were supposed to do,if finding that their police force had broken the law,as a whole unit.One journalist had been ''brave'' enough to suggest that politicians would have no choice,but to ''send the Army in,and round up all policemen'' [!].
So,now it appears that Police Scotland did not actually break the law,after all.
The Daily Record Newspaper,purported ''victims'' of spying by Police Scotland,are ''gutted'' - and pretend not to understand the reasons why The Crown Prosecution service,has arrived at its conclusions.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jun 16, 2016 13:18:00 GMT -8
For anyone reading my previous post,there could be a temptation to think : ''What a stitch up !'' [?].
Perhaps,most of us can agree that it is actually a victory for ''The spirit of the law.'' [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jul 30, 2016 12:56:19 GMT -8
As a ''collection'' of senior police,or police related personnel,have been summoned to give witness testimony to the Scottish Parliamentary Justice Committee,on the details of Police conduct,in the so called ''Spying scandal''over illegal monitoring of Newspaper sources,the Justice Committee appear to be no more wiser about what actually took place,than when they first started.
More recently,Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary,Derek Penman,has told the Committee that he is unable to substantiate DCC Richardson's account that a decision to monitor Newspaper sources,was taken,during a ''Live murder inquiry''- which was denied by ACC Nicolson,following DCC Richardson's claim.Both DCC Richardson and ACC Nicolson have recently tendered their resignations from Police Scotland.
Last month,the Crown Prosecution service informed Police Scotland,that they would not be facing legal action over this matter.
However,Margaret Mitchell MSP,who convenes and heads the Justice Committee,has decided to formerly request,in open letter,an explanation from Chief Constable Philip Gormley,with respect to ''clarity'' and ''transparency'' over ''the whole sorry business''.
Watch this space...
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