The April Jones trial has started

[NorthernLurker]

The trial of Mark Bridger for the abduction and murder of April Jones plus some other charges has started today. From what I've read of the initial statements given by the prosecution, it's clearly going to be a very distressing case.
My thoughts are with all in court including the jury but most especially with April's parents who are in court. I don't know how they can bear it.

Mark Bridger has conceded he is "probably responsible" for the death of April Jones but has denied her abduction and murder.

If he is only 'responsible' I still feel outrage.

I think this whole thread should be pulled if legally we can't say as much.

And for the record I was careful to refer to what the defendant has 'allegedly' done as reported on the BBC news that I read.
Understand the need not to speculate though.

Perhaps the time to post about this would be after the trial is concluded...I for one am unsure what I can and cannot say (evidently as I've already been deleted - sorry)

I'm going to step away, there's nothing we can say or do to make it alright...just wish to state my massive sympathy to all the people who have lost a beautiful little girl.

'people want to speak about the trial because it is an emotional subject' and that's why I started the thread. Because I read the account of the early stages and wanted to speak about my reaction to it. That prejudices nothing. I have no inclination at all to discuss the defendant. Clearly some have as I've come back and this thread is like Ukip's manifesto - full of holes.
I strenously resist the notion the whole thread should go. This story is in the news and we should be able to refer to it here.

Northern I am with you, it is something a lot of people feel very very upset about and thus wish to discuss - but the problem is not many of us are legally trained and so we can't rely on ourselves not to say something that could damage the chances of a fair trial, if that's the thinking...sorry not much use but I understand why you started it. I'm glad someone did. Just...no one knows what they can write.

I did ask MNHQ to explain what was allowed but I don't think their post (sorry Helen) covers this issue in enough detail.

Oh and a whole thread of sympathy for the parents would be fine by me. I can see my daughter is playing in our garden as I type. Their suffering is beyond my worst nightmares.

Rowan I mean.

I think you've unintentionally created a very provocative thread here NorthernLurker.

It is impossible to keep jurors away from the internet these days. What they can read from news reports are facts, as presented in the case they are sitting through.

What we should all be protecting them from is our reaction and speculation. Only theirs is important.

Although to be fair I'm sure opinion and speculation is all over the net, as a parenting site I think we should not be adding to it.

Apologies, I didn't think I'd said anything that could cause a problem. I read it twice, to make sure. Still, I will avoid commenting further for all the aforementioned reasons.

I didn't realise that it could prejudice a trial if you mention things that have already been said to the jury and which are not speculation...?

I just don't see the points of these threads.

Tricoteuses all of you.

I think that is unfair Nehru - there are threads about every trial! There was a massive one about Amanda Knox. People want to know what happened and why because it is so incomprehensible. It's human nature.

I have just read about some of the details and evidence and feel sick.

Poor poor family

Well read the paper.

Don't start salivating over every detail dressed up as concern with the "oh ill hug my kids tighter cliche"

It's voyeiristic and unbecoming.
If you were Aprils mum would you like to read Pret people poring over the agony your kid experienced ?

You don't see the point but you still bothered to make your ill-informed comment Nehru?

Well it's the competitive coldness of some posters that I find rather horrid. Any feeling human being should be touched by what's been heard today. It's not being a tourist to comment on that.

Salivating?

Nobody even mentioned what the details were...

" People want to know what happened and why because it is so incomprehensible. It's human nature. "

Lottie I agree.

Think if we can't talk about this case in a balanced fashion whereby the defendant is mentioned then we might as well wait until after the verdict.

BeerTricks - so do you think a thread about any trial is inappropriate?

Think if we can't talk about this case in a balanced fashion whereby the defendant is mentioned then we might as well wait until after the verdict.

I think that would be very sensible.

I am not 'salivating'. But I can't not be interested. This is every parents nightmare. Someone known to a child, who gains their trust and who might not be what they seem.

I do want to know what makes these people tick, how they can be identified how they can be stopped.

If you find this kind of thing 'distasteful' you have every right not to engage. It baffles me why you would take time to come onto a thread like this and trumpet your distaste. The only reason I can think is you want to assert your own perceived moral superiority.

The idea that of you disagree with a thread you shouldn't say that is odd. On the World Wide Web.

Not ghoulish or voyeuristic.
An expressions of horror at an appalling. And an expression of sympathy and support for a family living through the worst nightmare.
To be failed to be moved by this case and what has emerged in court today suggests a real coldness.