Suspect Witnesses?

[Wickerman]

Which of these options above is the correct one?

Option 1,2 or 3?

Chris.
Using the four paragraphs again, for reference.
https://forum.casebook.org/forum/rip...875#post860875

The first paragraph tells us the sweetheart couple had been standing at a bisecting thoroughfare not 50 yds from where the body was found, and had been there for 20 minutes.
Whereas, your options 1 & 2 have this couple standing for 20 mins at the top of Berner St., a lot more than 50 yds away.

Paragraphs 3 & 4 do not allow the earlier couple to stand around for 20 minutes, yet this is the couple who walk into Commercial road.
So, in my view, neither option suits the evidence.

[Wickerman]

PC Smith described the man with Stride in Berner St. about 12:35 am.

A man, aged 28, height 5ft 8in, complexion dark, small dark moustache; dress, black diagonal coat, hard felt hat, collar and tie; respectable appearance; carried a parcel wrapped up in a newspaper.


Schwartz described the man assaulting a woman at Dutfields yard, about 12:45 am.

a man, aged about 30, height 5ft 5in, complexion fair, hair dark, small brown moustache, full face, broad shoulders; dress, dark jacket and trousers, black cap with peak.


Brown described the man (with the woman) on the corner of Fairclough, at 12:45.

The man was described as being about 5ft 7in tall and stoutly built, wearing a long overcoat which went down almost to his heels. He was wearing a hat, but Brown was unable to describe it.


The three witnesses who saw Stride, or a female they took to be the victim, all described a man wearing different coats.
Smith saw a man wearing a Cutaway, or diagonal coat.
Schwartz saw a man in a jacket.
Brown saw a man with a long overcoat, down to his ankles.

Smith and Schwartz also described a man wearing a different hat.
Smith saw a man wearing a hard felt hat (like a bowler, Derby or Widewake)
Schwartz saw a man wearing a peaked cap.
Brown saw a man wearing a hat, but could not describe it.

Therefore, whoever James Brown saw, the mans coat was different to the man who was verified to have been with Stride, by PC Smith.
We have no description of the sweetheart couple.

[The Rookie Detective]

Chris.
Using the four paragraphs again, for reference.
https://forum.casebook.org/forum/rip...875#post860875

The first paragraph tells us the sweetheart couple had been standing at a bisecting thoroughfare not 50 yds from where the body was found, and had been there for 20 minutes.
Whereas, your options 1 & 2 have this couple standing for 20 mins at the top of Berner St., a lot more than 50 yds away.

Paragraphs 3 & 4 do not allow the earlier couple to stand around for 20 minutes, yet this is the couple who walk into Commercial road.
So, in my view, neither option suits the evidence.

The quote of no more than "50 yards" appears in some newspapers as no more than "20 yards."

If the latter, then it implies the sweetheart couple were standing on the corner of Berner and Fairclough St for around 20 minutes.

The "20 yard" reference fits with the geographical layout of the street, whereas the "50 yards" reference makes no sense.