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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To find it hard to overcome Jeremy Bambers 'evil monster' status when thinking about his claims of innocence?

35 replies

AgentZigzag · 14/10/2011 22:23

Bamber was convicted in 1986 of murdering five of his family the previous year, including his two six year old nephews (who would have been 32 YO now).

He's lost two appeals against his conviction, and one against his sentence, and the Criminal Cases Review Commission refused to refer his case back to the court of appeal again in February of this year.

If it wasn't Bamber I was reading about, I would find the reasons he says his original conviction was flawed, pretty strong, (if you're interested just google 'Jeremy Bamber innocent' to decide which website you'd rather read them on), especially the fourty thousand odd documents and 211 pictures that have yet to be disclosed (can anyone shed any light on whether this is the norm?).

But how does someone who is innocent of the crime they've been convicted of, overcome the picture the media and their conviction has painted of them and gather public support?

Most high profile cases have some degree of public interest, do you think 'trial by media' really does figure in these types of situations? (like the Knox case showed)

Or do you have complete confidence in our criminal justice system? And he hasn't won his appeals (or been referred back to the court of appeal) because the evidence he says is there, just isn't strong enough?

OP posts:
NorksAreMessy · 14/10/2011 22:29

Umm, he is a murderer.
He is guilty.

Why are you interested?

I knew him when I was a teenager and I completely and utterly believe in his guilt.

I am one of those who would rather let 1000 guilty men go free than send one innocent man to jail. This man needs to be in jail.

bibbitybobbityhat · 14/10/2011 22:30

Yes but are you being unreasonable about what Wink?

aldiwhore · 14/10/2011 22:33

Is Bamber innocent? Can't answer that one I'm afraid.

But how does someone who is innocent of the crime they've been convicted of, overcome the picture the media and their conviction has painted of them and gather public support? Well I am not sure, other than the fact that something else usually comes into the media, the public 'forget', move on, don't care any more. I say this as someone who recently had a ballroom dancing class (birthday gift) that was given by the nanny who was convicted of manslaughter way back when she was a teen?? Can't remember her name, recognised her face, was a little curious and then failed in my waltz... she was simply a lovely person by the end of it.

Not sure what my point is other than I have a shite memory and take people as I find them, but that's how it was for me.

squeakytoy · 14/10/2011 22:33

I have always found this case interesting, because of the amount of forensic technology that has been developed since it happened, that has allowed them to keep looking at the case..

I have also often wondered if he is innocent too.

LottieJenkins · 14/10/2011 22:40

I read this book about JB. It makes very interesting reading. Parts of it like when they broke in and found the dog really gave me the creeps!

LottieJenkins · 14/10/2011 22:41

Did you mean Louise Woodward re the nanny??

Greythorne · 14/10/2011 22:41

I was also intrigued by this case at the time.

This piece (DM, so apologies) has some interesting info about motive and the fake burglary Bamber was involved with before the murders:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387438/I-wrong-Jeremy-Bamber-says-crime-writer.html

AgentZigzag · 14/10/2011 22:44

Hehe, fuck off bibs Grin

I'm interested because of what I've studied/am studying Norks (I didn't think 'what's it got to do with you' would come up until at least the tenth post Grin), and I also think it's within the publics interest for people to wonder about the guilt and innocence of convicted criminals.

Personally I think it'd be a coincidence too far for a person who said they wanted to kill their parents before they were killed in such a way, to not have done it, but stranger things have happened.

OP posts:
LottieJenkins · 14/10/2011 22:46

The Officer who was in charge of the case at the beginning thought Bamber was innocent. He was killed falling off a ladder. [hsad]
Bamber maintains that if the guy hadnt died then he (Bamber) would have walked free.

AgentZigzag · 14/10/2011 23:08

I've read that book as well Lottie, the picture of him on the front of the edition I had from the funerals (I know doesn't prove anything) was so striking in its falseness.

OP posts:
tigerdriverII · 14/10/2011 23:13

Norks, someone I was at college with knew him at school (there's Chinese whispers for you) and thought the same as you, they had a few things to say (this was mid 80s).

It's v similar in some ways to the Knox case, the evidence is difficult, in Knox's case I think too flawed to convict, in this case I don't know. And of course none of us do.

NorksAreMessy · 14/10/2011 23:23

I am interested in why agent zigzag has started this thread, though. Is there someone going on that we need to know about?

squeakytoy · 14/10/2011 23:31

Zig has said it is because of something she is currently studying.

AgentZigzag · 14/10/2011 23:40

I'm studying forensic psychology, so not the Bamber case specifically, but I watched a program on it the other night which brought him to mind.

So nothing important currently in the news, but like tiger said, the Knox case, and Conrad Murray (Michael Jacksons doctor) made me wonder how much the media is allowed to influence our criminal justice system, even after a conviction.

OP posts:
adamschic · 14/10/2011 23:42

Gosh this was along time ago. 25 years!

squeakytoy · 14/10/2011 23:46

I remember it well from when it happened... doesnt feel like 25 years ago either.... that just makes me feel old now! lol!

squeakytoy · 15/10/2011 01:01

this makes for quite interesting reading..

jeremybamber.org/default.aspx

AgentZigzag · 15/10/2011 02:30

Thanks for the link squeaky.

What a bizarre page the Sunday Sport article page makes Shock

It's not something I would want referencing to add credibility to my pleas of innocence.

Maybe the other newspapers won't touch him with a barge pole?

OP posts:
ScarahStratton · 15/10/2011 10:09

I wonder if I know you Norks? I lived v nearby then and knew of him, but not him IYSWIM. Different social groups, but crossed over, went to a few parties etc which he was at, but don't recall talking to him. Can't think of anyone who knew him who didn't think he was guilty.

LaVraiVerite · 15/10/2011 11:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

lashingsofbingeinghere · 15/10/2011 12:04

Is that libel, LaVrai?

LaVraiVerite · 15/10/2011 12:31

The clue is in the username, lashings

ScarahStratton · 15/10/2011 12:55
HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 13:09

I wouldn't put it so strongly worded as you LaVrai (I've googled your user name and am still none the wiser, please put me out of my misery Grin) but I was also thinking the only reason the family would plant the silencer would be to inherit the farm etc.

I was going to say I really don't believe someone would go to the lengths of killing six year old twins to get their hands on some cash, but that's exactly what I think Bamber did.

Maybe the difference for me is that it'd mean they would've had to conspire together to do it, as well as being able to accurately predict Bambers movements and behaviour that night, and I find that extremely unlikely.

HollywoodAgentForTheLivingDead · 15/10/2011 13:10

Sorry, it's the OP, AgentZigzag.

Stupid halloween namechange

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