THE ACCUSED ------ CHANNEL 5 now

[RTKangaMummy]

Now

[RowanMumsnet]

[From RTKangaMummy] I would be interested to know if they have made other documentaries but have not been allowed to put them on TV cos the family has pulled out at last minute or CPS or family or whoever have decided that they don't agree with the verdict. In other words, who has the final decision whether it is shown on TV? Can any of the people involved stop it happening?

[Rob] There are many things that could prevent a programme like this making it to broadcast: the defendant might change their plea to guilty and the trial is called off; they may decide that they no longer want to be involved with filming (despite consenting to be involved we can’t force people to carry on - it has to be what’s best for them); and of course you never know if a judge will make an order meaning we wouldn’t be able to broadcast because the programme could affect the course of justice. So to answer your question, a combination of several factors can effect whether it’s shown. If the case and trial process proceed and the contributor is happy with filming, and as long as we’ve abided by some strict legal protocols re what we can and can’t show, then it can be broadcast. But final decisions rest with Channel 5.

I would also like to know why Kenzey thought it was a good idea to make the programme? Was it cos she was convinced that they would both be found innocent? If she thought she didn't do it and Kyle didn't do it then who did she think did do it?

[Rob] As I mentioned to MarmiteMakesMeHappy, she felt it was her chance to tell her side of the story - and felt that she’d regret it if she’d not had her say.

[From 1happyhippie] I would like to know if Kenzey now admits that Kyle done it or does she still claim they are both innocent? If she does think they are innocent, what does she believe happened that night to her baby?

[Rob] Kenzey still maintains that she's innocent, and points to alternative medical theories as the cause for her child’s injuries (theories which argue that many “baby shaking” injuries are in fact the result of other physical ailments and complications). There are many other mothers, in similar situations to Kenzey, who also point to these alternative arguments.

[RowanMumsnet]

[From AmITheNormalOne] Rob what was the hardest point emotionally for you when filming this?

[Rob] I don’t actually think there was one moment or event that was the hardest - the entire process was tense and emotional due to the very raw nature of what had happened and what Kenzey was facing. Having said that, it was always very difficult to be with Kenzey when she was upset because at those times I had to find a balance between capturing this emotion (in order to show how tough her experience was) and giving her enough time away from the camera.

[From GardenGeek] Has [Kyle's] Facebook confession been re-created in this format rather than the actual Facebook post being shown, because it looks like it's typed but not sent. Also was it on the wall or on private message.

[Rob] Not showing the actual Facebook message is just because the evidence was an old photocopy of a screenshot, not good enough quality for broadcast. I’m afraid I can’t comment on whether or not it was public (on the wall) or private.

[From CherryRedNose] I would like to ask Rob if he has an opinion on the involvement of police and social services in the case - it was mentioned that Kyle only received a caution for punching Kenzey while she was heavily pregnant and that social services judged Kyle not to be a significant risk to the children only a short time before he attacked the baby.

[Rob] I don’t know enough about this matter - and any surrounding matters - to have an informed opinion of the police and social services involved in the case.

[RowanMumsnet]

[From RockyBird] I'd be interested to know the crew members' thoughts on Kenzey's guilt or otherwise while the programme was being made? They must have formed opinions being in such close contact.

[Rob] Myself and the producer actually tried hard not to form opinions about guilt or innocence. Our job was to document emotions and not to point fingers of suspicion, and we felt the best way to do that was to steer clear of trying to assess the evidence ourselves (which is why I never questioned Kenzey about the details of the case). Having made many documentaries about many challenging subject matters, it does become possible to avoid trying to come to conclusions about what you’re filming. If you take a stance then that would make for a less interesting (a less balanced) film.

[From BuzzMoon] Will you be making any more like this? I really enjoyed it. Was Kenzey's mental health looked into at any point during the trial?

[Rob] There will be more episodes coming, so do keep an eye out for them (dates not yet set in stone). At any trials of this nature the mental health of the defendants is often considered and discussed, but it wasn’t a hugely significant feature here.

[From QuicklyDecides] Do you know, did she start to dress that way AFTER she was charged? That ultra-feminine colourful vintage quirky look didn't ring true for me. Did she look like that beforehand?

[Rob] I didn’t know Kenzey prior to charge so I can’t say.

[From ColdFeetinWinter] Did Kenzey receive any sort of emotional help, counselling or support whilst awaiting trial?

[Rob] As far as I’m aware she did see a counsellor for emotional support, yes.

[RowanMumsnet]

[From Semi-Normal] Was the show edited in a way to make it more factual rather than emotive? Were clips of Kenzey showing emotion cut out so as not to lead the viewer one way or the other and give a more 'balanced' view of the situation? Or is she really just that emotionally removed in 'real life’?

[Rob] The show was cut so that it was full of fact (the fascination of the case and the unfolding evidence) and also full of emotion - Kenzey’s emotional journey was absolutely key. So we tried to make both central to the story. However, and this is really important, what we avoided doing was sensationalising her emotions. We wanted a true and sympathetic portrayal of her experience, and didn’t want to exploit her for the sake of high-impact television.

[From MeadowHay] Was Kenzey paid to be part of the programme? If not, why do you think she wanted to take part in it?

[Rob] She wasn’t paid and never asked to be. I think she took part because she felt that it was a chance to document the pressures of being accused of a crime that she says she didn’t commit - so that her side of the story, her experience, could be told.

[1happyhippie]

Some great answers thank you.
I will look forward to more programmes like this.

[motheroreily]

I agree. It was the best documentary I can remember watching.

It's on my mind a lot

[BakeOffBiscuits]

Me too Mother, I cant stop thinking about this programme, it was a fab documentary but there are still so many questions which I suppose we will never know the answers to.

Also we don't see 'the accused' person so close up. We only usually get to see a few photographs on the news and in newspapers. I am personally finding it shocking to accept that a young, beautiful, well spoken young woman, (the same age as my own DD) could be guilty of such an awful thing.

[BakeOffBiscuits]

Sorry about my awful grammar there!

[BillSykesDog]

Me as well. It actually gave me trouble sleeping.

[motheroreily]

I might watch it again tonight.
Yes that's true bake off I felt I didn't know anything about Kyle.

I know you can't make assumptions about people but kenzie appeared just like lots of other young women.

I have so many questions but as you say we'll never know everything

[friendlyflicka]

MrsDV thanks very much

[Similarstories]

For me the fascination is because of my sons story, and how I can relate to a young woman allowing a baby to be so badly injured.
my sons sibling was killed by his birth parents - I went on to adopt him....his birth parents were still both under 20 when in happened :(
I havent met them, but seen photos etc.....watching the programme brought the birth mother more to life for me in a bizarre way - so young, so vibrant - how on earth could Kenzey and my son's first mother allow this to happen.
how could any mother allow this to happen. when you watch it, its not just news headlines, or social services reports anymore.

and for the PP who asked, so far my son doesn't remember that he watched his sibling die, or how it happened, one day maybe i will have to tell him - he has a new identity and no-one in RL knows who he is, so he is protected for now - but surely i owe it to him to tell him he was a big brother etc.....only time will help me decide what to do. these are the decisions i must make for him.

the same decisions a family out there will most likely be making for Kenzey's children.

[user1483300717]

Similarstories- so sad, thank God your little boy now has a good home. Good he can't remember it. His poor sibling. Do you no how old he was when it happend? Must of been young if he can't remember.

[salsmum]

I have a DD who is severely,physically disabled with Cerebral Palsy some 20 years ago I wanted to foster/adopt a child with SN. The local authority were very happy and enthusiastic for us to do so...until I said I am happy for a parent to have access to their child if they put them into care because they can't cope with their disabilities I quite understand but I could not sit in the same room with a parent who has abused that child resulting in their severe disabilities and be civil to them....I was told that parents have a RIGHT to still see their children! ...even if they had hurt them so much.Because I could not agree they lost a loving family for that child.

[AlexCabot]

Apologies for bumping such an old thread but poor little Primrose died in 2021 and now Kyle has been charged with her murder.
No word on whether Kenzey will also face more charges.
So so sad.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12210963/Father-36-appears-court-charged-murdering-daughter-six-shaking-baby.html

[motheroreily]

That is so sad. I knew the baby was unwell but didn't realise the extent.

I've watched this documentary more than once. I'm not sure how I felt. It was interesting and horrible at the same time.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Funnily enough, this came to mind only the other day. Thank you for bumping this. How sad 😢