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  • Well, cobalt, you have already made up your own mind about what the Matthews Report would reveal, so why do you need to see it? Assuming you won't be 'distressed' either way, it's not up to you to speak for surviving relatives of anyone who was personally involved in the case in any capacity. You may regard their potential distress as a bogus reason for not publishing, but you can't know that distress would not still be a consequence of doing so.

    People can't always admit it to themselves that they were, or could have been wrong, let alone put it in an official report. Distrusting the DNA findings goes with the territory of being unable to let go of a belief, regardless of what the evidence indicates.

    Love,

    Caz

    According to accounts I have read, Matthews concluded that Hanratty was entirely innocent of the crime and had been wrongly hanged. Is it unreasonable for us to know how and why Matthews reached this conclusion? I would have thought it is in almost everyone's interests to want to get to the truth. ​

    Comment


    • Originally posted by caz View Post

      Surely she picked out a different person on the two parades she attended. You make it sound like there were several!

      Also, she couldn't have picked out Hanratty on the first one because he wasn't there. Alphon was, but she failed to pick him out, and he is the only other suspect who was ever seriously considered.

      Love,

      Caz
      X
      Hi again Caz,

      We've had this dance before but you're a good partner, so let's go across the floor one more time.

      As Valerie Storie asserted, there was only one man who shot Michael Gregsten and raped her. Once she picked the wrong man, her credibility was gone. For me at least.

      If the guilty man was not on the first parade, it was incumbent on her to pick no one. It was not - or should not have been - a case of keep going until you pick someone on a further parade whom the police consider to be a suspect and then he can be charged.

      Worth being aware that had she picked out Alphon first time round (and she had as much chance of doing so as the random man she identified), he would almost certainly have been charged and then .... hmmm.

      Best regards,
      OneRound

      Comment


      • Just as well that Michael Clark had an alibi!

        Comment


        • Originally posted by OneRound View Post

          Hi again Caz,

          We've had this dance before but you're a good partner, so let's go across the floor one more time.

          As Valerie Storie asserted, there was only one man who shot Michael Gregsten and raped her. Once she picked the wrong man, her credibility was gone. For me at least.

          If the guilty man was not on the first parade, it was incumbent on her to pick no one. It was not - or should not have been - a case of keep going until you pick someone on a further parade whom the police consider to be a suspect and then he can be charged.

          Worth being aware that had she picked out Alphon first time round (and she had as much chance of doing so as the random man she identified), he would almost certainly have been charged and then .... hmmm.

          Best regards,
          OneRound
          Not sure about that, OneRound. Valerie might have had a very specific reason for ruling out Alphon, along with all the others she ruled out.

          Yes, if she had picked out Alphon, after ruling out all the others in that first parade, things could have been very bad for him indeed. But it never happened so we can only guess. Had Alphon hanged instead of Hanratty, and had the verdict been as hotly disputed for years afterwards, the DNA evidence would presumably have proved a miscarriage of justice in his case, and Valerie would still be accused today of having picked out the wrong man, but at least that accusation would be wholly justified.

          Love,

          Caz
          X
          "Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." Peter Ustinov


          Comment


          • Originally posted by ansonman View Post
            Just as well that Michael Clark had an alibi!
            He didn't need one, ansonman. He was there to make up the numbers. I'm sure you know how this works, so why make such a fatuous comment?

            Love,

            Caz
            X
            "Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." Peter Ustinov


            Comment


            • Originally posted by caz View Post

              Not sure about that, OneRound. Valerie might have had a very specific reason for ruling out Alphon, along with all the others she ruled out.

              Yes, if she had picked out Alphon, after ruling out all the others in that first parade, things could have been very bad for him indeed. But it never happened so we can only guess. Had Alphon hanged instead of Hanratty, and had the verdict been as hotly disputed for years afterwards, the DNA evidence would presumably have proved a miscarriage of justice in his case, and Valerie would still be accused today of having picked out the wrong man, but at least that accusation would be wholly justified.

              Love,

              Caz
              X
              Hi once more Caz,

              I fully accept that Valerie may have had a good reason to rule out Alphon. However, and this was meant to be my key point, she could not have had a valid reason to pick Clark. Once she did, she was no longer a witness I could rely upon.

              Btw, I agree with your response to ansonman's last post.

              Best regards,
              OneRound

              Comment


              • Depends what you mean by 'valid', OneRound.

                If the guilty man was never suspected, for instance, and didn't take part in either parade, there would be no telling what he really looked like, and Valerie presumably thought she had a valid reason for picking out Clark.

                The argument is usually made that because she picked out Clark and not Alphon, then went on to pick out Hanratty, she must have had little real idea about the man who had actually raped and shot her, and therefore her subsequent identification of Hanratty [without the benefit of DNA evidence] was unreliable. It's a perfectly fair observation, but it comes with the inference that Alphon was the gunman and Valerie therefore made two mistakes. But if we accept that Alphon walks for lack of evidence, it is then difficult to argue that Valerie had no possible grounds for mistaking Clark for the gunman. How would we know that, if we don't have the gunman to make the comparison which only Valerie could have made, for what it was worth?

                Love,

                Caz
                X
                "Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." Peter Ustinov


                Comment


                • Only Valerie Storie would have been able to explain why she picked out Michael Clark in error. It’s obvious that she had little opportunity to see the murderer’s face since it was necessary at the second ID parade for her to hear the men speak. She may have been relying on some general impression when she identified Mr. Clark.

                  I was an innocent member of an ID line up as a teenager and might, through great coincidence, have been picked out as the guilty party. There had been a low level burglary attempt one Sunday morning and the police invited 6 of us- preparing to play football an hour later in the local public park- down to the cop shop, employing a lure of civic duty and payment. In terms of appearance and demeanour the suspect stood out like a carrot in a bunch of bananas next to us grammar school lads, albeit we were all wearing jeans and t-shirts. He was already an established ‘bad un’ well known to both us and the police.

                  In the event two elderly witnesses picked out nobody but, to my alarm, it turned out that the burglary had taken place in the very street where I lived. A town of around 50,000 inhabitants and by sheer chance I had walked past the burgled house on my way to play football soon after the crime. I was in Vienna Hotel territory! In fact I walked past that house a couple of times every day so it would have been fully understandable if the two OAPs thought I looked a tad familiar and tapped me on the shoulder. And my alibi? I didn’t really have one. I was walking alone, heading for the public park, carrying a sports bag.

                  I’ve often wondered what would have transpired had I been picked out at the ID parade. I didn’t have a criminal record any more than Hanratty or Alphon had a record of armed robbery/kidnap but, as someone would no doubt have remarked, he had to start somewhere.

                  Comment


                  • Originally posted by Spitfire View Post


                    Hello Derrick and all who commented on this aspect of the case. I made a FOI request and this is the reply which I received.

                    [/I]

                    So there we are. I have two months to appeal the decision. It seems to me if I can show that the info which is considered to be detrimental to the health of the victims' family or families is already in the public domain then there can be no reason for withholding the file on that basis.
                    This is broadly the arguments the National Archives declined to release the Matthews report on.

                    Were Nimmo and Hawser public inquiries or statutory inquiries?
                    Last edited by djw; 01-30-2024, 09:33 PM.

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by caz View Post
                      Depends what you mean by 'valid', OneRound.

                      If the guilty man was never suspected, for instance, and didn't take part in either parade, there would be no telling what he really looked like, and Valerie presumably thought she had a valid reason for picking out Clark.

                      The argument is usually made that because she picked out Clark and not Alphon, then went on to pick out Hanratty, she must have had little real idea about the man who had actually raped and shot her, and therefore her subsequent identification of Hanratty [without the benefit of DNA evidence] was unreliable. It's a perfectly fair observation, but it comes with the inference that Alphon was the gunman and Valerie therefore made two mistakes. But if we accept that Alphon walks for lack of evidence, it is then difficult to argue that Valerie had no possible grounds for mistaking Clark for the gunman. How would we know that, if we don't have the gunman to make the comparison which only Valerie could have made, for what it was worth?

                      Love,

                      Caz
                      X
                      Sorry Caz but the only real valid reason Valerie should have had for picking Clark was that she was certain he raped her and shot Gregsten. He obviously didn't and so, at least for me, her credibility was blown with that misidentification.

                      It was not - or should not have been - for Valerie to pick someone who was comparable to or looked like the rapist and killer. It had to be the rapist and killer or no one if either he wasn't on the parade or she was uncertain.

                      I agree with your wording that I have put in bold but whilst the inference you then refer to is there for some, it isn't for me. I've long since looked at this case from a legal viewpoint of guilt being proved fairly beyond reasonable doubt and don't consider it was for Hanratty. It doesn't follow from that it could or should have been so proved for Alphon.

                      On the balance of probabilities, I would acknowledge there is a strong likelihood that Hanratty was guilty; I'm particularly influenced by Hanratty's own lies at trial as to at least one of his alibis and, another of your favourites, his DNA being on the hanky wrapped around the murder gun. However, that doesn't satisfy me as to fairly proving legal guilt, particularly when police non-disclosures go into the mix.

                      I'll leave this one here other than just to add it might have been helpful for all of us - and potentially massively so for Hanratty - if he, Alphon and Clark had all been on that first parade.

                      Best regards,
                      OneRound

                      Comment


                      • The Rhyl alibi has long since run its course in terms of available information. One day an amateur photographer’s snapshot of Rhyl town centre might turn up in some attic that is being cleared, and there will be discovered a photo of James Hanratty chatting to a newspaper vendor, whose local evening editions (under microscopic enlargement) are established as dated 22nd August 1961. The town clock in the background and the shadows in the photo confirm the time as being near dusk. Biometric experts will opine that the man in the Hepworth suit is indeed James Hanratty, so far as they can judge from contemporary photos.

                        Yet none of this will be enough. Suspicions of ‘photo shopping’ will not unreasonably be voiced, as they still are in respect of the controversial Lee Harvey Oswald backyard photos. It will be claimed that since the Rhyl photo directly contradicts DNA evidence then it must be a fake. Some might even suggest the photo was staged as a kind of student prank/hoax after the A6 murder trial, by persons who then thought better of the deed. We will be no closer to agreement in such a hypothetical situation than we are today. I have long thought that the Rhyl alibi, so diligently pursued by Paul Foot, is now a blind alley in so far as it can never be proved as authentic or false to the satisfaction of either camp.


                        Since an accused has no need of an alibi anyhow, this is no great loss. Liverpool and Rhyl are totally unconnected to the crime. I would question whether the Vienna Hotel, Swiss Cottage, the Rehearsal Club Soho, the 36A bus or Redbridge are worthy of the significance they have been afforded over the years. This crime has its roots in Taplow, a village of barely 2,000 people, and the answer to the enigma that is the A6 Case must lie somewhere close to there.

                        Comment


                        • One thing we can be thankful for is that this horrendous crime would appear to have been unique, suggesting that whoever was guilty was either unwilling or unable to commit anything like it ever again.

                          I do not think the DNA found on the hanky can easily be explained unless Hanratty was either the gunman, or had a close enough association with whoever was involved and/or framing him to account for how his hanky could have ended up on the bus with the murder weapon. It has to be remembered that it was solely the choice of hiding place that could have pointed to Hanratty at that time. The gun itself and the hanky could not have been linked to him forensically, and nobody could have predicted that this might one day become possible, if the hanky survived.

                          Another consideration is that nobody involved could have done anything about it if Hanratty had been able to prove he was either in Liverpool or Rhyl. If the man they were seeking to frame had gone free because of this, questions would then have been asked of anyone who had tried to point the finger at him.

                          Love,

                          Caz
                          X
                          "Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." Peter Ustinov


                          Comment


                          • Originally posted by djw View Post

                            "...Section 38(1)(a)1 exempts information from disclosure if that disclosure would, or
                            would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health of any individual.
                            This exemption has been applied to information pertaining to the murder of Michael
                            Gregsten and attack upon Valerie Storie, as well as other sensitive information
                            relating to other identifiable individuals, the disclosure of which would impact upon
                            living individuals. We are unable to provide any detail concerning the nature of this
                            other information, as that would in itself be disclosing exempt information.
                            For section 38 to be engaged it is necessary to prove that disclosure would involve a
                            level of harm. The harm/prejudice test for this exemption involves the consideration
                            of the risk that mental endangerment of an individual ‘would or would be likely’ to
                            occur2. In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), The National
                            Archives has determined that the release of the aforementioned material ‘would be
                            likely’ to significantly distress the individuals concerned. ..."

                            "...Family members of the individuals concerned, who would be impacted by disclosure
                            into the public domain, have been identified and can be presumed living. After
                            reasonable consideration it has been determined that they are likely to be impacted
                            by the release of information in this record. Thus the release of this material and its
                            availability to members of the public is likely to cause shock, harm and distress to
                            such an extent that mental endangerment may be rendered to these individuals. To
                            release information, which potentially exposes members of the public to a risk of
                            mental endangerment, would not be in the public interest. The specific arguments
                            considered in the public interest test have previously been supplied to you.
                            Having reviewed and reconsidered these arguments, it is my view that the original
                            decision was correct. The release of this information into the public domain would be
                            likely to have a detrimental effect on the mental health of surviving immediate family
                            of individuals referenced within the record. To disclose distressing information
                            concerning the events recorded in this file has the potential to endanger their mental
                            health and as such is not considered to be in the public interest. Therefore it has
                            been determined that the risk of endangerment outweighs the reasoning for
                            disclosure in this specific case and the exemption at section 38(1)(a) of the Freedom
                            of Information Act applies to the information.​..."
                            Some more excerpts
                            Please note that, as you have stated in your request for an internal review, I am
                            satisfied that Michael Gregsten, James Hanratty, Charles France, Valerie Storie and
                            Peter Alphon can be considered deceased. It is well known that James Hanratty was
                            executed in 1962.
                            Nonetheless the majority of information in the record remains exempt under either
                            sections 38, 40, or 41 of the FOI Act, or a combination of these exemptions. Many
                            other third parties referenced in these records, who were suspects, or provided
                            witness statements voluntarily to the police, can still be presumed living. This means
                            that the amount of sensitive personal information in the record remains substantial
                            and extensive, and therefore it must remain exempt from disclosure.
                            Additionally, the immediate family members of some of the victims and defendant
                            are presumed living. The disclosure of some information in the record, that may only
                            relate to deceased individuals, and is therefore not covered under the personal data
                            exemption (section 40) is nonetheless covered by the section 38 exemption, due to
                            the capacity to endanger their mental health through public disclosure.​
                            It is reasonable to assume that family members would be distressed by publication of
                            this material, which we would not be able to prevent, or control once published
                            online. By withholding the record from public access, family members are being
                            protected from shock and distress. Disclosure of the distressing content held within
                            the file would place in the public domain detailed and intimate accounts of traumatic
                            events, which would force these individuals to confront this information in
                            inappropriate circumstances. The content in this file retains the capacity to cause
                            such distress, despite the passage of time.
                            We acknowledge that some of the closure arguments in this letter may therefore
                            seem rather arbitrarily or insensitively applied. Unfortunately, we are only able to
                            consider your request for access to this file under the terms of the Freedom of
                            Information Act (FOIA) 2000, as set out in section 5(3) of the Public Records Act
                            1958. Our decision is based entirely on the content of the record, and whether any of
                            the information is exempt from disclosure using the categories defined in the Act
                            The public needs the reassurance of knowing that FOI access rights are not going to
                            be allowed to be exercised to their detriment. We must continue to protect public
                            confidence that family members are allowed to be given privacy. To release
                            information, which potentially exposes members of the public to a risk of mental
                            endangerment, would not be in the public interest.
                            I acknowledge that the criminal case to which this record refers was highly publicised
                            in its day and widely reported in the press, as any serious crime will likely be a key
                            focus of media interest. Details concerning this case can be found within the public
                            domain by researching sources such as newspapers.
                            However, the level of detail in a record such as this, which contains a substantial
                            quantity of personal information from lesser known third parties is far more in depth
                            than that which can be found reported within newspapers. Although, information in
                            the public domain may cover the crime which this record refers to, it is substantially
                            not the same information.
                            In re-reviewing the record I have also given consideration as to whether it can be
                            released in part via redaction. Redaction is always given very careful consideration
                            when we are reviewing any file. Achieving the appropriate level of access to public
                            records is crucial for The National Archives. We must ensure that public access to
                            records within our collections is appropriate and to protect sensitive information until
                            it can be placed into the public domain.​

                            Comment


                            • What do you make of that, djw?

                              The 'public interest' defence is a catch all for anything embarrassing, and that embarrassment may extend beyond family members. The main players in the A6 Case- James Hanratty, Valerie Storie and Peter Alphon- left no issue. Malcolm Gregsten did so perhaps that was a consideration, although whatever information would cause them further distress can only be conjecture.

                              The notion that the Hanratty family could be any further discomfited after the events of the last 60 years is risible.

                              I notice 'redaction' was considered at the end of your reply. There would be little problem if we discovered that ''Mr X- a well known robber and occasional sex attacker- was interviewed over several hours and cleared as a suspect.'' But apparently this cannot be done. So who are the suspects and voluntary witnesses whose names cannot even be redacted? I have to assume we are talking police informers here, at the very least.

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by cobalt View Post
                                The Rhyl alibi has long since run its course in terms of available information. One day an amateur photographer’s snapshot of Rhyl town centre might turn up in some attic that is being cleared, and there will be discovered a photo of James Hanratty chatting to a newspaper vendor, whose local evening editions (under microscopic enlargement) are established as dated 22nd August 1961. The town clock in the background and the shadows in the photo confirm the time as being near dusk. Biometric experts will opine that the man in the Hepworth suit is indeed James Hanratty, so far as they can judge from contemporary photos.

                                Yet none of this will be enough. Suspicions of ‘photo shopping’ will not unreasonably be voiced, as they still are in respect of the controversial Lee Harvey Oswald backyard photos. It will be claimed that since the Rhyl photo directly contradicts DNA evidence then it must be a fake. Some might even suggest the photo was staged as a kind of student prank/hoax after the A6 murder trial, by persons who then thought better of the deed. We will be no closer to agreement in such a hypothetical situation than we are today. I have long thought that the Rhyl alibi, so diligently pursued by Paul Foot, is now a blind alley in so far as it can never be proved as authentic or false to the satisfaction of either camp.


                                Since an accused has no need of an alibi anyhow, this is no great loss. Liverpool and Rhyl are totally unconnected to the crime. I would question whether the Vienna Hotel, Swiss Cottage, the Rehearsal Club Soho, the 36A bus or Redbridge are worthy of the significance they have been afforded over the years. This crime has its roots in Taplow, a village of barely 2,000 people, and the answer to the enigma that is the A6 Case must lie somewhere close to there.
                                Excellent post. Strangely enough a classic James Stewart movie from 1948 "Call Northside 777", based on a true story, deals with the scenario you suggest in the first paragraph. For anyone unfamiliar with the movie the following Youtube link might prove useful and interesting.......

                                *************************************
                                "A body of men, HOLDING THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO NOBODY, ought not to be trusted by anybody." --Thomas Paine ["Rights of Man"]

                                "Justice is an ideal which transcends the expedience of the State, or the sensitivities of Government officials, or private individuals. IT HAS TO BE PURSUED WHATEVER THE COST IN PEACE OF MIND TO THOSE CONCERNED." --'Justice of the Peace' [July 12th 1975]

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