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??/??/?? - Facts which don't fit in with supergrass's tale
THERE were seemingly big holes in the prosecution's case against
Jack Whomes and Michael Steele. Things happened on December
6, 1995, that simply could not be explained. Nor did they fit
in with the "day of the murder" story of supergrass
Darren Nicholls.
Nicholls had claimed the killings took place between 6.45pm
and 7pm. But not a single gunshot was heard during that time,
despite experts saying the noise should have been audible a
mile away. However, at about midnight, an independent witness
heard about six gunshots in the area of Rettendon.
The defence had asked whether they were connected to the killing,
or simply a bizarre coincidence? A white Escort van was also
seen leaving the murder scene at Workhouse Lane at about 7.45pm
- again by an independent witness. That was nearly an hour after
Nicholls said the murders were committed.
Was it turning around? Had it been a couple driving to the well-known
spot for lovers? Graham Parkins QC, defending Steele, said it
was a strange coincidence that another vehicle was in the quiet
country track on that snowy night. "Workhouse Lane is hardly
spaghetti junction," he said.
Not a single shred of forensic evidence could be produced against
the two defendants. But the jury decided the evidence of supergrass
Nicholls was enough. Other questions remained unanswered about
evidence, or lack of it, at the murder scene.
Jack Whomes is a big, heavily built man with size 12 feet. Supergrass
Nicholls had said he was wearing Wellington boots when he was
dropped off at the lane. But not a single footprint was found
which could match that of Whomes - or even Steele, for that
matter.
It had been snowing and the ground was firm, but defence lawyers
said there should still have been some marks left. When the
so-called getaway car, a VW Passat, was recovered it was scoured
for splatters of blood.
It was claimed that if Whomes and Steele had gunned the three
down at close range, they would have been splashed with blood.
Yet none was found in the getaway vehicle. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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