Orkney Murder 3 part TV series.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I watched part 1 of the man in the mask series last night.

Made me wonder if any members here were living on the Island at the time?

[Johnny4428]

Yes Ted, lived here all my life. On that night in question we were out for a walk but not in the vicinity of the Mumataz restaurant. Very interesting series, can’t wait for the next part.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Ted,
It was 10 years before we moved here but when the 'witness' came forward much later we have followed it like everyone else here.  I would say there is a 50/50 split of opinion but only one person knows the real truth.  We watched all 3 programs on iPlayer (twice in fact!) and we still don't know who to believe.  One act like that has ruined so many lives in such a small close-knit community.

Ian

[K2-K6]

I've not watched, but sounds likely to be inconclusive, ultimately.

Not a fascination for me, but find intelligent examination of cold cases interesting and especially with the contemporary level of forensics available to fully establish long held evidence. Some interesting cold cases in US have been illuminating with the consequences of larger database resources in dna, making much more valuable research method far reaching.

Not the case here, it would seem. Watching a famous case down here on South Coast, recognised a police officer friend in the documentary, who was ultimately responsible for acquiring and conserving the vehicle of suspect, before planned scrapping. That to give conclusive evidence in conviction through very detailed forensic capture and examination. 

In these cold case, its no surprise the resistance of suspect, and strength of that in denial, until faced with indisputable forensic analysis.  Sometimes, even then there's absolutely no acceptance of their part in the crime.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ill never forget the James Hanratty case (last man to hang in UK), the jounalist Paul? Foot wrote a book claiming his innocence.

Eventually the Court of appeal exhumed his body against his family wishes, guess what, it was a DNA match to several exhibits.

IIRC he murdered Michael Gregson and raped and left for dead Valerie Storer who was shot and left paralysed, IIRC she lived long enought to see the court uphold his conviction despite the defence always trying to rubbish her identification parade evidence.

The journalist claimed Hanratty was in Wales.

[K2-K6]

Good evidence pretty potent when used effectively and without distorting sentiment.

Careful cataloguing and evaluation powerful too, which i find fascinating.

Unrelated cold case I saw recently, had the the suspect absolutely and completely, to finite degree, that he didn't know or had ever been remotely close to victim, and just as importantly, anyone that would have had contact with victim.

Really powerful expression, as may be expected. But ultimately "ring fencing" any chance of an mitigation and doubt within his own case. Leaving nil logical explanation of how his dna was emphatically involved. 
Very clever case study to ultimately present significant and accurate evidence.