Ched Evans verdict

[FreshwaterSelkie]

to continue the discussion as the previous thread closed.

The witnesses were asked if they were doing it for the money but said they were not, had no reason to lie

Yes they did, the 50k was for evidence that cleared CE. It wouldn't have cleared him if they admitted they were testifying for money would it?
I don't believe he's going to receive any money, but maybe he did when he testified.

Any as many ppl have said he should never have been a witness in first place.

well put, mrsbruce

Apparently the jury concluded that they weren't motivated to lie in court by the chance of £50,000. The prosecution tried to argue that there were shades of bribing witnesses but the defence argued, and the judge decided, that there were not.

Thanks for answering, Marble. I'm glad the jury were at least told about the £50k offer. I just feel sad that a rape conviction can be quashed on the basis of two men reporting that the complainant had said the same thing as one of the defendants claimed. Not only is it not a particularly uncommon phrase, but it was widely reported in the media during the first trial, FFS!

Valanice, I think the jury knew about the reward offers on the website, but not that potential witnesses were being approached individually, repeatedly, and offered money individually. From the guardian:

Evans’s girlfriend, Massey, was accused in legal argument during the second trial of offering an “inducement” to a key witness. The prosecution said this had “the flavour of a bribe”. The trial judge disagreed.

So the judge thought the jury didn't need to know this.

I have a question. His friends or brother or something were filming it through the window, right? Was that recording ever recovered? I assume they deleted it, because if she'd been enthusiastically consenting in it they'd have used it. Which implies it was clear she was pretty much unconscious, hence why they deleted it.

I'd imagine that even if the footage was deleted that the police would have the technology available to recover it like they do with computer hard drives and such.

I'm not sure if the footage was used in court, it might have been too dark to pick up anything noteworthy although wasn't one of the men outside the window heard referring to her as 'some fat bird' at some point? Could have gotten that wrong.

I think there wasn't much visible or audible on the mobile phone video, as the room was dark and they were outside the window. But the friend and brother filming could be heard saying "who is it?" "Some fat bird"

Am I right in remembering that CE brother said that once inside the room CE came to the window, put his finger to his lips to indicate "be quiet" and then closed the curtains?

This story has upset me so much. I can't say why, I have had no experience of sexual violence myself. I can't imagine how hard it must be for those who have when big cases like this are in the news.

Ever since I heard the verdict I find my mind wondering to it and getting upset. Does anyone else feel like this? Or do I just need to get a grip?

It's like all the other horrible sexist stories around at the moment. Or the hushing up of child abuse.

I thought I was walking around in one world, and now I find I'm actually in a much darker, scarier place than i thought.

The brother really shouldn't be teaching. I wouldn't want someone like that teaching my daughters and I wouldn't like them teaching my sons.

Yes Jen, he did say the "shhh" thing

Countess, given that he has no criminal record is there much that can happen? I would have serious questions about safeguarding issues with someone who is willing to stand up in court and say he was able to gauge whether a woman was consenting to sex by looking through a window into a darkened room.

Why isnt there a criminal record? The man admitted in court to videoing a couple having sex through a hotel window without permission. That must be illegal surely?

Yes, it is a crime to film someone having sex without their knowledge and permission. I guess they didn't bother pursuing this.

Anyway, all they would need to say is "well Clay asked her if we could film through the window", and find some exes who will say she consented to being filmed while she had sex with them, and then they'd have no case to answer.

I wonder why. Would the victim be able to pursue it now? Its separate from the rape trial.

Yep. You're right

There are so many bad things to pick out from CE's own evidence - but the 'shhhh' thing was really telling. It makes it so predatory and pre-meditated.

I absolutely believe he is guilty, I don't think he believed or cared about consent when he entered that hotel room - I think he paid out to clear his name. Natasha FB'ing trial witnesses, and the victim's previous sexual partners, and talking about £50k reward is shocking, that should not be allowed. How was that allowed??

She probably thinks it's more trouble than it's worth. I would not blame her. She is made of far stronger stuff than me. I would not have survived the first trial and conviction. She's been through so much shit, and all she did was try to find her handbag.

The whole case stinks. Every bit of it. I'd love to know what the judge was getting.

No I wouldn't blame her either. In her shoes I would be wanting to disappear and try and forget those scumbags ever crossed my path.

Badabing, can I just say I agree with you. The older I get, the more scary the world seems. I was so confident and fearless when I was young, felt I was free to do anything - but now I look at my DD and I just fear for her. She is so sweet and happy and trusting, oh god.

As I said on the sexual assault thread, I have been the victim of sexual assaults - both rape and attempted rape (different men), and this is triggering. I never reported, but I'm almost glad I didn't if I'm honest. I just assimilated it and put it down to one of those things. But cases like these do affect me. I felt sick yesterday.

Badabing, no it's not just you. I feel that as women we have just been told exactly where we belong.

If I went round to chez Evans and started filming him and Natasha having sex through a window and they caught me, woukd they just brush it off as 'silly behaviour - girls will be girls and all that'? Or would they go to the police?

You'd be a money grabbing bitch trying to take advantage of a hotshot footballer and his angel fiancé, Isit