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Originally posted by moste
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But I am REALLY good at reading people off of their appearance. I will be the first to admit it is not even remotely evidence, but when I look at his face (in Gannon's book) he looks so jovial, to the point I really can't imagine him ever being involved in something like that. Also the fact he covered William's back... You'd think a guilty party would want someone else to go down for the crime - and yet we see Parry also covered William's back saying they had a great marriage (and I am 99.99% certain he is the man who placed the phone call).
However, on the evidence, I put James Caird forward as a good suspect for involvement, here's why:
1) Is intensely familiar with the Wallace household (to the point of knowing the upstairs back room has been turned into a laboratory).
2) Played chess at Wallace's home often, I cannot think of any other room they may have played in but the kitchen where the cash box was kept, owing to the need for a table. Furthermore, Caird was so close to Wallace having known him for 15 years.
3) If involved in a premeditated scheme, will be at the club to ensure Wallace receives the message from his accomplice. In fact, he actually followed Beattie and stood by him as he delivered the message and listened to Wallace's responses. This is documented as fact in his own statements.
4) Even if the call was a prank Caird knows: The nature of Wallace's business, the address Wallace is going to, Wallace's home address, the name of the client, the time of the appointment, and even the tram route Wallace is taking. On top of this he would be admitted by Julia without question.
5) Admitted to knowing the name Qualtrough.
6) Caird pressed Wallace oddly on their discussion on the way home. Caird first said he had heard of a Qualtrough when Wallace expressed doubts. Then when Wallace rejected Caird's suggested route (which was to get a bus from queen's drive, a stop 30 minute walk from Wallace's house - Wallace's own route took 25 minutes in TOTAL) and said he'd take the direct route, Caird questioned him on what route that would be... Then he says "I take it you've made up your mind to go then?" as if trying to ensure that Wallace will definitely be going on the trip.
7) Has at least two mutual acquaintances with Gordon Parry, who is almost certainly the caller (Wallace, and Stanley Holmes).
8) At least knows Gordon Parry by sight, as his chess tournament nights were on Thursdays, the same night as Parry's drama club met.
9) Was not due to be at the chess club on that Monday, since Monday was for second class players and he was a first class player.
10) Possibly prompted Beattie to deliver the message in the first place. This is disputed as there are several different accounts, whether Beattie or Caird first mentioned Wallace being there, but in whatever case he pointed out to Beattie that Wallace had arrived.
11) Caird offered Wallace a game before he'd even hung up his coat and hat... Which would of course put him in prime position to ensure Wallace received the message.
Note: Take note of how despite immediately offering Wallace a game, when Wallace rejects the offer, Caird does not try to find another partner, he instead loiters around for a little while, first going to greet Samuel Beattie, then following Beattie and hovering around as the message was delivered.
12) Lives about 30 seconds from Wallace's home so can easily get in and out unseen compared to most other suspects.
13) By his own statements did not have an alibi for a window of opportunity in the murder. By his statement, he left his store at 7.15 PM and arrived home (AKA 30 seconds from 29 Wolverton Street) at 7.45 PM. He could have potentially committed this murder.
14) A POSSIBLE motive. The two men had set up the chess club together, and therefore I am assuming were financially responsible for its upkeep. There are many ways this could lead to motive... Just one idea is if Wallace realized he was terminally ill and planned to move out of the area, removing financing for the club... Or if Julia was putting on similar pressure....... Or simply if he felt Wallace had been giving him a raw deal had he been covering more of the costs than he felt was fair.
15) Not evidence but something to look into... Wallace named another man from the chess club as being someone his wife would admit, a Mr. Thomas. I have never ever seen him referenced, but he is a possible accomplice (since in a burglary scenario I am sure there are multiple people in the house).
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I'd also like to field the idea that Alan Close lied about seeing Julia... Not that he was mistaken... The idea he OUTRIGHT lied.
Alan Close did not see Julia take the milk in. After putting the milk on the doorstep of 29, he went to 31 (or 27? One of the two) and delivered the milk to them. He then went back to 29 Wolverton Street to collect the empty jugs or containers or whatever it was, and THAT is when he claimed to have seen Julia.
It is fact that he was at the door, but possible he lied about the sighting.
One indication that he is lying is the fact that he first revealed this information some time after the murder (when Wallace was already the prime suspect), and to a group of kids around his own age... Something a child might do for "street cred"... When they told him he should tell the police, he was extremely hesitant... He then began bragging he's "the missing link" and giggled and fell asleep in the courtroom.
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