Originally posted by caz
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As usual I understand your reasoning but the DNA findings as set out in the Court of Appeal's 2002 judgment didn't prove to me beyond reasonable doubt James Hanratty's legal guilt. I've already detailed several concerns and would again particularly flag the DNA of an unknown male in addition to that of Hanratty being located on Valerie Storie's knickers. IF (perhaps a large ''if'' but still imo fundamentally important to have been properly checked which it wasn't at all) that DNA didn't not belong to Michael Gregsten, then the entire DNA evidence would be shot out of the water. I am uncomfortable in the Court determining that Hanratty's conviction and execution was lawful on a ''presumption'' that the unidentified DNA was Gregsten's, especially as he apparently hadn't had sex with Storie for several days before the rape and murder.
My analogy to the Post Office and Horizon scandal was simply an attempt to raise thinking as to whether the judiciary are too quick to accept findings emanating from current technology.
I do agree with your final paragraph. As previously emphasised, I am not an advocate for Hanratty's innocence but remain doubtful that his guilt was ever fairly (note the police non-disclosures commented upon by the Court of Appeal in their judgement) and reasonably proven.
Best regards,
OneRound
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