The Reid Scale: Classic Unsolved Murder Cases

[sdreid]

Cases would move down in number more often than up but Sam Sheppard and Oscar Slater would be examples where the case level went to a higher number.

I other words, when a conviction is overturned and never reinstated.

[sdreid]

I think I'd put all the Scottish "Not Proven" murder verdicts in Level 1, the second example (B Category), but I can only remember two, Smith and Monson.

Three if you count the verdict for Merrett's first murder. Same for his other slayings too because there was no trial but little doubt.

[sdreid]

Purely in the realm of theory, a Level 5 would be a slaying that no-one ever suspected was a murder, that is other than the killer.

[sdreid]

I agree that OJ should have been criminally convicted but he wasn't even if that result was a racist payback.

[ChainzCooper]

Yeah you're right Maurice, that guy was just beyond scum

[The Grave Maurice]

No, thanks should go to a singularly inept team of prosecutors.

[ChainzCooper]

O.J. should be level zero. Its beyond me that its level one. (Thank you Johnnie Cochran)

[ChainzCooper]

As far as the Lindbergh kidnapping goes I saw a documentary recently (I'm going off my memory here so forgive me) where they compared the board from the ladder used in the kidnapping and the boarding from a barn I think was on the kidnapper's property. Using modern science they were able to show the grains being exactly the same on the two pieces of wood. Which is as good as a fingerprint since no two grains are alike.

[sdreid]

I should have said multiple murderers there since that legal practice is used for all of that group, not just serial killers.

[sdreid]

Hi tnb,

I'd put Brady/Hindley in Level 0 because it is about the case as a whole. The same would be true where a serial killer was only tried and convicted of one murder (which is often done to give the prosecution another chance should the defendant get off on some quirk) although he killed others. If there was any real doubt that they killed Keith Bennett then I'd treat it as a separate case at a somewhat higher level.

[tnb]

What about cases where there is a standing conviction about which there is no doubt but there are elements of the case which remain unsolved (and I don't mean ephemeral things like motive) - example would be the (British) Moors murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady - convicted, no doubt - but where is the body of one of their victims, Keith Bennett (unsolved)?

A diary supporter could probably invent a new category for Florence Maybrick too :-)

[sdreid]

Another type of example for 1(B) is the like of Richard Evonitz who killed himself to avoid capture but who would have almost certainly been convicted had he not done so.

[sdreid]

Both would be Level 1 Type A. Mixed convictions like O.J. would 1(B) because the criminal proceedings take precedent.

[nugnug]

The Ried Scale

what about cases where there is a very dodgy conviction but no other real suspect. and cases where there is a very dodgy conviction and very strong case agianst a diffrent suspect

whaat scale would you put them in

[sdreid]

Yes, the (A) is understood for Level 2 and, for that matter, for all levels with the exception of 1.

The Strangler has moved up in number over the years with most people I think but almost certainly has peaked.