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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mick and mairaid philpott.

109 replies

thebody · 02/04/2013 20:55

If you pour petrol over your house and light a match.

You know your 6 children are asleep upstairs and you make less effort to save them than your neighbours did.

If you try and smear another person with the crime.

If you habitually lie to avoid prosecution.

Why is that manslaughter?

I know posters will say they didn't mean it but seriously such reckless disregard for life is murderous.

OP posts:
blondieminx · 02/04/2013 23:08

Those poor kids Sad

The hideousness of Mick's control over Maraid is terrifying - as is the fact he managed to have kids with so many women. How such a violent scumbag remained at liberty for so long beggars belief. A true menace to society

Bunnyjo · 02/04/2013 23:34

In order to be charged (and convicted of) murder, the CPS and subesequently the jury, would have to be satisfied that the actus reus and mens rea were satisfied. The actus reus was the actual act of arson and the killing of the 6 children, but the mens rea (malice aforethought - intent or knowledge that the act WOULD result in death) cannot be proven - the evidence suggests that Mick's intention was to 'rescue' the children and frame his ex. Therefore, it is impossible to present a case that they had indeed committed murder.

That said, my personal thought is that what they did constitutes murder in all but conviction...

Arachnophobic · 02/04/2013 23:48

Technically they are not murderers.

Mick tomorrow will get life, and possibly the others.

Agent they usually have a few weeks between sentence if all sentencing options are being considered and for Probation to prepare a report. No need in this case, only one outcome for these three.

ll31 · 02/04/2013 23:55

One thing which struck me was on sky earlier, they mentioned how Lisa had left suddenly, just reminded me of some threads in relationships and was thinking how brave and smart she was to get out, and get out suddenly. Think they'll get life, mairead too, listening to bugged conversations, hard to think she was any less responsible. .

Catchingmockingbirds · 02/04/2013 23:55

Why did they do it?

Original poster
thebody · 02/04/2013 23:56

Can't belive the daily mail headline. So disrespectful to the innocent children.

OP posts:
cestlesautres · 03/04/2013 00:01

Hassled, you make a very good point about Lisa. Makes you understand how the whole thing was an attempt to punish her for having the gall to escape her abuser's control. That was paramount.

Gossipmonster · 03/04/2013 00:01

I watched the ITV programme, the man makes me feel physically sick and I actually feel sorry for his wife.

I think she was in an abusive relationship, was too think to realise what they were doing was so dangerous and has paid the ultimate price.

cantspel · 03/04/2013 00:07

They are BOTH scum. And i feel not one bit of sympathy for her. She is an adult who choose to live the lifestyle she has and to go along with a scheme that ended in the death of 6 innocent children.

I hope there is a special place in hell reserved for both of them.

sashh · 03/04/2013 04:28

What cakebaby said.

To prove murder you would have to prove that they intended to kill.

That might sound easy but with three defendants who could all say 'it wasn't my idea, I was pressured into it'.

Better to convict for manslaughter, which can be a life term than risk not getting a conviction for murder.

flipflump · 03/04/2013 06:47

I have no sympathy for her in the slightest, vile creatures!! Hearing how she behaved in the court paints a true picture, smiling, waving to her friends, not so meek after all. I'm sure she covered her face through out the original press conference to hide her shame of the disgusting act she had carried out. A pair of actors and luckily the jury saw through it. Those poor innocent children, so cruel. Out of interest has anyone watched the Jeremy Kyle they appeared on?

Emilythornesbff · 03/04/2013 07:34
Sad
pigletmania · 03/04/2013 08:22

I totally agree fitflump, they were bth really blase abut it, and did not care that just killed their six children. Whether their intent to kill or nt, teir actions meant that 6 Chidren did, what they did was no accident. They purposely set that house alight knowing teir were kids inside for their own gain. Vile evil individuals

pigletmania · 03/04/2013 08:23

Meant died

Wannabestepfordwife · 03/04/2013 08:39

I never wish ill on people but I hope they get their commupance in prison

EverythingInMjiniature · 03/04/2013 08:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flipflump · 03/04/2013 09:04

I do think in this case, the benefits are relevant, as he was attempting to set up Lisa Willis as a result of losing benefits. I know it seems to over shadow the deaths of the children but they died/were killed as a result of their fathers greed!

McNewPants2013 · 03/04/2013 09:06

I hope they are all very well protected in prision Wannabestepfordwife. The thought that any of them could get compo for being attack makes my stomach churn.

If any of them is attack they would get it because the prision will have failing in their duty of care

Wannabestepfordwife · 03/04/2013 10:24

I hadn't thought of that mcnewpantd2013

hairtearing · 03/04/2013 10:36

I do feel a little bit for miriead (sp.) ?
he sort of pimped her and family friends too, she had been very abused in a previous relationship too, very brutalised.

NeedaWee · 03/04/2013 11:37

Seems he had a lot of previous convictions for violence etc.

they should all swing.

The kids were just a means of getting more money. They had no chance from the second they were conceived.

auntmargaret · 03/04/2013 11:51

Scottish law has a concept of wicked recklessness where if you don't care about the consequences of your actions, or if your actions are so reckless that a fatal consequence is probable, you can be convicted of murder, even if it wasn't the original intention. I think they would have been convicted of murder here.

mayorquimby · 03/04/2013 11:58

does she have any previous?

stressyBessy22 · 03/04/2013 12:55

But surely he did care about the consequences of his actions.The kids were his 'cashcows'.He definitely wouldn't have wanted them dead. He was 'as thick as two short planks' to think he could se light to a petrol-doused building and have time to rescue the kids

BuddyButters · 03/04/2013 14:58

I have absolutely no sympathy for any of the scumbags.

It was glaringly obvious at the press conference that they were as guilty as sin. All that tearless face screwing up was the worst acting I've ever seen.

I hope they get repeatedly pulverised in jail. I don't LIKE that I hope that. But I hope they do.