A6 Rebooted

[ansonman]

I saw this most interesting link which is a Hansard extract concerning the failed attempt by Fenner Brockway MP to persuade the Secretary of State to launch an inquiry into the Hanratty case.

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1963/aug/02/james-hanratty-trial

It's a lengthy document but well worth a read. I'm sure it's appeared on this site before but I haven't previously read it. Woofinden refers to it on pages 335-338 ('97 hardback)

Ansonman

[gallicrow]

Interesting that in the version of Alphon's confession read out by Brockway, Alphon suggests that he had picked out his victims at random rather than because he had been paid to frighten them.

[NickB]

On the first ID parade Blackall and Hirons selected people other than Hanratty. So the striking hair did not mean that anyone was bound to pick him out.

[moste]

http://pemmusing.wordpress.com/2012/...murder/Another decent site. Purely chronology, but good for quick referencing .Incidentally, recent thoughts on JHs accent. Though probably a different pitch maybe from his brothers, his accent would have been more or less the same as Michaels I would think.

[moste]

http://pemmusing.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/the-a6-bedfordshire-murder/

[Sherlock Houses]

http://pemmusing.wordpress.com/2012/...murder/Another decent site.

'
Yes, that's the Leeds composer Paul Magee' blog. It's certainly an interesting site and has been around for a few years now, with various updates.
Paul submitted a few posts on these threads some years ago and like many other people is fascinated by this complex case.

[Sherlock Houses]

Incidentally, recent thoughts on JHs accent. Though probably a different pitch maybe from his brothers, his accent would have been more or less the same as Michaels I would think.

I can't comment on Hanratty's accent Moste except to point out that his father, James, said something to the effect that Alphon's voice was very similar to his son's.

On a slightly different (and very important) note, I can say something [I have it on good authority] about Hanratty's complexion, which differed greatly from the gunman's pale complexion. Hanratty's [complexion] was ruddy and, like many a red or ginger-haired person, was fully freckled, especially at the height of the summer season in August.

[moste]

I can't comment on Hanratty's accent Moste except to point out that his father, James, said something to the effect that Alphon's voice was very similar to his son's.

On a slightly different (and very important) note, I can say something [I have it on good authority] about Hanratty's complexion, which differed greatly from the gunman's pale complexion. Hanratty's [complexion] was ruddy and, like many a red or ginger-haired person, was fully freckled, especially at the height of the summer season in August.

Very important? I would say a vital piece of identification information, if his complexion was as you say. I don't know if that point has been raised before on these threads, but you can't really tell from newspaper photo's etc. I for one certainly have missed that possibility, that he was covered in freckles.
I mean If VS had said, "I only caught a glimpse but he was covered in freckles." what a major narrowing down of possible suspects that would have been. As it was I don't believe any of his so called identifiers, mentioned it,

[Graham]

No colour photo, no newsreel footage (apart from appearing with a blanket over his head), no recording of his voice has come down to us, so how can you be so sure how Hanratty sounded and looked? I can't recall reading that his father said that Alphon sounded like his son. And without the benefit of a good-quality colour photo, I honestly don't know how it can be determined that he was ruddy-faced and freckled. No-one has ever mentioned this aspect of his appearance before, and perhaps you'd be kind enough to give further details of the 'good authority' on which you obtained this information. Of course, if this 'good authority' is a person who actually knew Hanratty and has or had a good memory of his appearance, then that would be different.

After his arrest and during psychological interviews, his accent and diction were examined, mainly because (according to Woffinden) Acott had referred to Hanratty having a 'speech impediment'. At any rate. the specialist who analysed Hanratty's diction said that his accent was typical of any Londoner from a 'working-class', low standard of education background. I can remember only the salient points of this assessment, as I still don't have my books back, but it's all in Woffinden.

Regarding Alphon, we have loads of photos of him, plus of course the (in)famous Paris interview which was filmed. Plus evidence from at least one person who knew him that he was quite well-spoken and articulate, and given to criticising others for poor pronunciation. Certainly, his accent in the filmed interview is (to my ears) southern Home Counties with a touch of London, but certainly not Cockney.

As a Midlander, I have to say that a strong Cockney accent can sometimes be rather difficult to understand, but I have no problem with Alphon's accent. He is very fluent in that interview, as he ate the BBC reporter for breakfast.......

Graham

[Spitfire]

On a slightly different (and very important) note, I can say something [I have it on good authority] about Hanratty's complexion, which differed greatly from the gunman's pale complexion. Hanratty's [complexion] was ruddy and, like many a red or ginger-haired person, was fully freckled, especially at the height of the summer season in August.

Who or what is the "good authority"?

Why has this alleged discrepancy as to facial complexion not been brought up by Foot or Woffinden? Or has it? And if so, where and when?

Was the alleged discrepancy canvassed at the trial? If not, why not? Surely Mike Sherrard would have noticed!

[Sherlock Houses]

I can't comment on Hanratty's accent Moste except to point out that his father, James, said something to the effect that Alphon's voice was very similar to his son's.

There is reference to this in the well known Hansard, House of Commons debate of August 2nd 1963.

On a slightly different (and very important) note, I can say something [I have it on good authority] about Hanratty's complexion, which differed greatly from the gunman's pale complexion. Hanratty's [complexion] was ruddy and, like many a red or ginger-haired person, was fully freckled, especially at the height of the summer season in August.

Perhaps I should have said very good authority. Someone who knew James Hanratty very, very well. I'll leave it at that as I'm not going to name drop. I feel sure some of you can guess.

[Spitfire]

Perhaps I should have said very good authority. Someone who knew James Hanratty very, very well. I'll leave it at that as I'm not going to name drop. I feel sure some of you can guess.

My guess is Ernie Marples. Am I right?

[ansonman]

Keeping it in the family

There is reference to this in the well known Hansard, House of Commons debate of August 2nd 1963.



Perhaps I should have said very good authority. Someone who knew James Hanratty very, very well. I'll leave it at that as I'm not going to name drop. I feel sure some of you can guess.

Oh! brother?

Ansonman

[Sherlock Houses]

Hansard 02-08-1962..........

"Sixthly, the assailant had an East London accent; Mr. X is well spoken. However, no one who has heard the tape recordings would say that Mr. X is well spoken. He frequently lapses into a Cockney accent. Indeed, his voice answers the description given by Valerie Storie. Hanratty's father says that Mr. X's voice is very like that of his son."

[Sherlock Houses]

My guess is Ernie Marples. Am I right?

Who does he play for ? You'd be closer if you said Agatha's friend Jane Marples.