Cracking the Case
In the case of James Hanratty Vs. The courts / The A6 Murder inquiry, it had multiple controversies surrounding the case, from the investigation teams mishandling, the time period and fallen alibis, to the evidence handling this case and all involved had a lot to answer for. As forensic testing and analysis was in its infancy stages, it wasn't advanced enough to profile genetically, the forensics team carried out as much as they were able to. The 60's compared to modern day police and investigation is very different and a different world to what we know now. When Hanratty was pulled as suspect he and his family were met with a barrage of people from the area and nation for both his defense and prosecution, his family alone had a petition of 90,000 signatures for his release and met with the then prime minister Harold Macmillan at 10 Downing Street, with no prevail. Hanratty's mother, father, siblings, all knew of his innocence and protested it even until his untimely death in 1962.
The investigation began 6:45am Wednesday 23rd August 1961, when Michael Gregsten was found deceased, shot twice in his head laid next to Valerie Storie who was raped and shot, paralyzing her. This heinous attack shook the nation and the county of Bedfordshire, Gregsten and Storie were local scientists and were known by many in the area, Gregsten was married and had 2 children to Janet, Storie was Gregsten's mistress. The initial response was made by local farmer, Sydney Burton and John Kerr who had found Storie and alerted the victims of the A6 murderer. Storie before she was taken by ambulance to save her life for the extent of her injuries, she made a gasped account as to the event, and the offender who kidnapped, raped and shot her and who shot her lover. Storie had said to Kerr "A man picked us up near slough around 9:30, he shot me and him, hes dead".
Storie was taken to Bedford general hospital where 5 bullets were discovered to have been shot at her at close range. 1 of the bullets had shattered the spinal column, paralyzing her from the neck down, she was later transferred to the intensive care unit where her bloodstained clothes were taken as evidence including the penultimate piece of evidence, her underwear exhibit 26, the extent of testing in the 1960s could find the blood typing of the semen sample, once tested the fibers of the exhibit, blood group O didn't belong to Gregsten, ruling him out, however 40% of the male population had this blood typing group, and with forensic evidence pushed to its limit at that time, the exhibit was filed away in the case files. Storie had given another statement after her surgery by Bedford CID as the first identikit and statement was later lost by the FAO, therefore the investigation team had to make another statement and identikit, multiple identities were made by Storie.
In the hours after the murder, detectives from Bedford CID had searched the scene and surrounding areas, there were no links. Gregsten's Morris minor which had been used to hijack the couple was found abandoned in Essex, however there were no links, no blood, fibers nor hairs that linked Hanratty to the car, nor scene forensically. 24 hours after the crime, the Metropolitan police had found the 38. Enfield gun along with 5 boxes of ammunition under the seats at the back of the south London 36A bus. 3 weeks later spent cartridges were found in the Vienna Hotel which matched the gun. The night before the murder Hanratty had stayed at the Vienna hotel. The police had set up a police lineup and Hanratty was picked out by Storie in the identify parade, along with multiple witnesses that had said they had seen Hanratty driving the Morris Minor before it was abandoned in Essex. On October 14th, Hanratty is charged with the the crime and murder and put on trial in the January of 1962 firstly at Bedford Assizes.
Hanratty had his hearing at Bedford Assizes where it was then taken to the Magistrates court in London. Hanratty's defence was Michael Sherrard, and prosecution Geoffrey Lane and prosecution barrister Graham Swanwick QC. During the case both alibis were brought up by both councils, with the evidence they did have, the multitude of 75 witnesses who had both been in defense and prosecution. Swanwick in his opening statement had said that "Mr Hanratty may have shot the physicist 'for no better reason' than to possess himself of Mr Gregsten's companion". During the case the evidence that was processed was spoken about in court and mainly by the defense as there were no forensic evidence to forensically link Hanratty to the crime. Hanratty's alibis were brought up by the defense and Porsecution despite coming to the conclusion that neither were supported with forensic hard evidence, and the witness evidence was sketchy at best. The Liverpool alibi included Charles France, a fellow larcenist and petty criminal, this alibi fell through as France who was expected to support Hanratty had said he and his fellow fellons had said they "didn't want to associate with murderers" and how France had spoken to the police about the 'hiding spot' on the back of the 36A bus which Hanratty had privately confided in France about.
The Rhyl alibi was only publicly announced on February 7th, the Rhyl alibi consisted of that Hanratty had spent most of his time in Liverpool on the Rhyl alibi date, as he was selling stolen jewelry, he had arrived in Rhyl and looked for Terry Evans who Hanratty befrended, looking for somewhere to stay after not seeing Evans, he went to Ingledene, a local B&B owned by 58 year old, Grace Jones. An issue with the Rhyl alibi is that this was only claimed by Hanratty when he was on trial already, the defense team had only known of Liverpool and no Rhyl before court trial. 11 hours after he changed his story of his whereabouts the defense and jury was confused about his movements around the crime. Although Hanratty remembered the hotel and room extremely well, he didn't remember the address the landlady's name, only guessed her age.
Hanratty had testified his own defense at assizes and stated that he stayed in the b&b near the railway at the back end of Rhyl and paid 25 shillings for 2 nights. most of Hanrattys recollection was surrounding the room he stayed in, the defense needed to find the landlady and b&b as a matter of urgency, Mrs Jones was shone a picture of Hanratty and had recognized him. In court,Swanwick attacked her reputation of her business and of her own character "a little good publicity for Ingledene would not come amiss, would it?" also her incompetence for the incomplete visiting book.
In 1967 an inquiry into this alibi was made, by Detective Chief Superintendent Douglas Nimmo of Manchester city police who had apparently found "no further evidence which might have influenced the verdict". Bob Wolfenden who alongside Paul Foot looked into the case for over 30 years, protested his innocent alongside his family at the time of the case also, and had written books surrounding the case, and its tribulations. Wolfenden had stated that the police at the time didn't thoroughly investigate into the Rhyl Alibi.
In court the trial was reportedly 9 hours long of deliberations, the judge presiding over the court room, Judge Gorman, defense lawyer Michael Sherrard and the Prosecution Geoffrey long and Graham Stanwick. Hanratty was escorted into the courts with a cover over him so the media didn't interact with Hanratty, the crowds outside the courts brought a multitude of different people be that defenders of his innocence, and those who protested his guilt, the support from both sides were extensive. As was the support inside the courts, as the 75 witnesses were for both arguments in the case trial. Storie was escorted into court via ambulance and stretcher as her surgery was over before the trial.
The evidence in court was very limited, the case was predominantly based on witness statements and alibis, as there were no forensic leads tying either suspect to the crime. The main pieces of evidence were the Enfield 38. gun, and report on the matching of the bullets to the gun from the pathologist and firearms specialist, Dr Keith Richards as he detailed how Gregsten died, when the murder was carried out, and how they were shot, and the extent of both of their injuries were mapped. Dr Richards had also tested the firearm for the correct caliber, type and bullet comparison making the gun link to the murder.
The main piece of forensic evidence was Storie's underwear, exhibit 36 as this main piece of forensic evidence, which would link the offender to Storie's rape, however as the forensics in the 60s were exhausted on this piece of evidence and could only obtain a blood group of O which linked to 40% of the male population (this piece of evidence would be later retested multiple times).
Her bloodstained clothes were collected at the hospital after her surgery and were classed as evidence from the scene. Along with the gun, was a handkerchief which was wrapped around the gun and taken as evidence, but had no forensic testing done until 1991 for mucus and saliva testing.
The Morris Minor had no forensic evidence tying it to Hanratty therefore wasn't included, was only noted as being the 'transporter' for the murder.
The majority of evidence, wasn't forensic evidence, the main pieces were the witness statements from onlookers, sighters, the public and the alibi information that was collated.
The prosecution evidence was that Storie in her second identity parade had picked Hanratty, after her admittance that she had only seen the offenders face or a couple of seconds as the offender raped her. John Skillet had reportedly seen Hanratty as the driver of the Morris Minor as it sped across town, along with Edward Blackall who had a closer view of the driver had not seen Hanratty.
James Trower had also identified Hanratty as the driver or the car, however Trower's companion stated that Trower couldn't of seen the driver from the angle he was standing at.
Another witness, Roy Langdale, who served time in prison and claimed Hanratty confessed to him about the crime, however two others people that Hanratty liaised with that he had consistently denied any involvement with the A6 murder.
Charles (Charlie) France, the friend of Hanratty had stood in court stating that Hanratty confined that the 'back seat of a bus was a good place to hide something' which linked with the guns location.
The defenses evidence stated that there were no witnesses to comfirm Hanratty being near Dorney Reach, near the crime. Witness Elsie Cobb had said that about 2:30 on 21 August he had seen a man around 27 to 30, 5ft 6 with hard hair, thin nose passing her house, Frederick Newell had added to her statement and said the man had sallow complexion. The offender according to Storie had said that the gunman had said whilst driving them to the scene "I've been in institutions since I was eight" and Hanratty due to his low intelligence wouldnt have used terminology like 'institutions'.
Mary Lanz who owned the Old Station Inn in Taplow, is where Gregsten and Storie had been before they parked up, and had later identified Alphon being in the same pub at the same time. On the 24th August, Hanratty was said to be in London, however he had sent a telegram from Lime Street in Liverpool making the movement invalid.
In the first identity parade, Storie had picked out with complete certainty an innocent sailor instead of the police suspect Alphon, whereas in the second line up Hanratty's hair had stood out, the police were concerned therefore considered skullcaps. In the Vienna Hotel, where the cartridge cases were found, no one had conclusively explained how they came to be there before the murder. Hanratty had disposed of his suit 6 weeks after the crime, where as Alphon had thrown his raincoat away straight after the crime.
Witness Juliana Galves had seen Alphon with black gloves on his suitcase during his stay at the Vienna and said it was strange with added to his strange behavior during his stay. Peter Alphon had written to the Daily express in 1962 stating that he believed Hanratty was innocent and supported a reprieve, he had also written to the Home secretary, Rab Butler stating "I killed Hanratty". In the original statement made by the FAO which was later never seen again, Storie's story stated that the offender was in his 30's, and in the second statement she had changed this 'fact' to the offender being 'mid 20's', Hanratty was 25, and Alphon 31.
Alphon had resembled the identikits more so than Hanratty did, which was fact. It was reported that when Alphon was under interrogation, stress or anger than his accent and voice lapped into cockney. He had never produced a concrete/convincing alibi to the police, where as Hanratty had 3. Alphon had more motive than Hanratty, and was reported to not be able to drive whereas Hanratty was an experienced driver and vehicle thief. After the verdict, the A6 committee was formed with a cohesive group with one aim, prove the case wrong and clear Hanratty's name, and the committee had pointed out that the police had always refused to investigate any of Alphons confessions. The A6 committee some 12 years later had discovered Storie's original statement from the FAO, and had found 6 witnesses to prove Hanratty was in Rhyl on the states in question.
The conclusions in the trial weren't based solely on a forensic analysis of the evidence collected and preserved from the crime scene, this is due to the lack of evidence, lack of validity and lack of means for testing to gain hard forensic evidence to conclusively determine who was involved and who was the assailant of the A6 murder. Normally in a criminal investigation there is a need for hard forensic evidence with a through analysis and conclusion, where both councils put across to the court, Jury and Judge their findings to support and conclusively say / fight their corners to say this person done it, this person hasn't committed the crime they are questioned about. With this case it has gained so much attention especially in the media, due to the area being quiet and aren't many murders committed, and also because Hanratty was hanged based primarily on witness statement, some forensic evidence (eg. Gun and secret location was told by Hanratty to Charles France, and the cartridges were found in the Vienna hotel were Hanratty was reportedly) but this didn't add up as Hanratty wasn't violent, and had no firearm history in his offender history, also Hanratty had multiple alibis to determine where he was, the Rhyl, Liverpool and Blackpool alibi, and had witnesses to prove this. Also, the driver of the Morris minor which had transported Storie and Gregsten to their crime, the driver had to ask how to drive and Hanratty was an experienced driver, and vehicle thief.
The conclusion that seemed to be a running trend is that from the outset Hanratty was targeted to be the criminal, the intelligence had shown that he was a 'likely candidate' because of his previous convictions for vehicle theft and suspicion surrounding Alphon was a mystery, why did Storie change her testimony, pick the complete wrong person in the first identity parade and why did the police refuse to look into Alphon, with his finances, behavior and demeanor and why was the petty thief with vehicle theft convictions, with low mental iq and capacity and history of depression and self harm? There are many questions surrounding the case, which the media and investigators, police and jury should have been asked.
In court and trial the evidence wasn't supported by the evidence collected and presented into court, the Underwear was the closest forensic evidence they were going to get to tie anyone to the crime, but it wasn't until 2002, after the execution where DNA was 'proven' due to the endless battle by his family and supporters for his innocence. Therefore as there wasnt a cohesive link or name to the DNA, it couldnt have been used as a clear and direct link between the evidence nor person.
In the case there was no hard forensic evidence collected and presented in the courts, the 38. Enfield, the murder weapon was a great find in the case, however there were no fingerprints on the gun to profile for a shooter/ handler however the location of the gun would have been an issue for forensic evidence because it would have been touched possibly by the cleaner Edwin Cooke, as he found the gun, possibly the investigation team/police who would have collected it for evidence, and any others who may have been in contact therefore this wouldn't have been a clear link to the shooter. The piece of evidence linking to the gun was the spent cartridges in the Vienna Hotel where Hanratty was reportedly staying there at the time, as well as Alphon under an alias, therefore wasn't a cohesive link.
The investigation teams protocols and procedures undertaken by the investigation team, were substandard to say the least, from their internal mishandling of evidence and intelligence, to their media attention for naming their suspect almost instantaneously. The evidence as a starting point could have been compromised, as the family had concerns over contamination over their lax evidence handling and collection, this contamination would have compromised the integrity of the evidence. The investigation team who specifically looked into the alibis and testimonies from both suspects, Alphon's statements and confessions were dismissed by police as the police and investigation team refused to look into these to create an informant conclusion as to who logically could have done this. The media played a large part in the investigation, but were quick to name Hanratty as the murderer, this disadvantaged the investigation as the case as steered by a prosecution team who moved the investigation forward with the blame pointed to Hanratty all the way through predominately, until Alphon's 'admittance' in 1965. Alphon's behavior wasn't recorded nor investigated into as he was erratic and acted strangely, from the black gloves to him locking himself in the room at the Vienna for 3 days after the crime occurred. Also the large and unaccounted for sum of money (£7,569) had entered into his account between October 1961 and June 1962, and was unable to account for £5,000 of these payments (it was rumored he was paid to kill)
Strengths of the investigation team included the initial testing of the DNA, although there were no conclusive results from this, the forensics team had exhausted their means of testing and obtained a blood group rather fast. The finding and statements of witnesses were collated fast. The FAO who had lost Storie's original statement which was taken whilst Storie was waiting for the ambulance for emergency surgery, the link here was broken, and had to be re written, this time after her surgery by Bedford CID.
As Hanratty's trial was going ahead, there was the issue of his background brought up, Hanratty had an offender history of being a 'professional thief' but had no previous convictions for violence, and never handled or had a gun. The offender in the case was reported to be a bad driver, which wouldn't link Hanratty as his main focus of offending was vehicle theft, Hanratty had no knowledge of the two victims and had no logical motive for the murder. Alphon was known to be involved with the criminal underbelly/underground dealing in firearms and assassinations, this source is from a close friend affiliated with Alphon, if this statement is correct then Alphon had the means to firearms and had 'work' which would also explain the lump sum he wasn't able to count for during the investigation.
The 12 man Jury after 9 hours of deliberations, after reportedly some evidence left out of the trial, the confusion that left the 12 man jury with clouded vision as to the events, alibi time scale and involvement of either suspect, they had come to their verdict. After being presented with the evidence, hearing from 75 witnesses called from both counsels, and multiple alibis, the jury's verdict was Guilty, sentencing Hanratty to execution by hanging at Bedford Gaol by executioner Harry Allen, April 4th 1962, he was one of the last people to be executed by the country. The death penalty in Britain was abolished some 3 years after his execution.
Hanratty had protested his innocent and stated that he set up by police. His family and public were convinced that miscarriage of justice was the penultimate conclusion. Hanratty's last conversation with his father, he stated "clear my name, i'll take my punishment like a man tomorrow, they've pinned this on me, never let anyone say a wrong word about me". As there were no forensic evidence linking Hanratty to the crime, those involved and following the case were outraged that they had condemned Hanratty to the death penalty on witness statements as no evidence linked him. The A6 defense committee after his death were instrumental to raising concerns surrounding the case, the protocols, the investigation team, the handling, the evidence etc. Celebrities John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono had also been fighting and campaigning for his defense and even stated that "Britain Killed Hanratty". The A6 committee had revisited and fought his defense and found original testimonies, statement, evidence which was held from court, and support for alibis.
In 1985 after Hanratty's execution, extensive discoveries were occurring in science and genetics as a whole, DNA profiling was now available which revolutionized forensic evidence and analysis, the illusive exhibit 36 the underwear was tested again in order to detail who carried out the rape and who's DNA that is. A tiny piece of the exhibit was taken and placed into a sterile solution, and centrifuged, multiple chemicals are added to destroy any cellular debris from the solution and is to separate the DNA from the solution to gather a pure refined DNA solution. Normally there should be 100s strands of DNA in the solution, but as the sample was 30 years old, there was not enough for a profile, therefore no profile was made by the forensics team.
In 1991, Bedfordshire police department had allowed Bob Wolfenden access to their undisclosed files on the A6 murder case. The surviving exhibits were 'lost' until 1991, and the evidence were found in envelopes in a laboratory cupboard, the DNA was donated by Hanratty's relatives which the family expected to absolve blame and aquit him from the crime, when comparing the material on the surviving evidence. Hanratty's body was exhumed in 2001 for DNA evidence extraction also. This exhumed DNA was compared with the mucus evidence on the handkerchief as this in the trial was wrapped around the gun known as the murder weapon, the semen preserved from Stories underwear were also under the microscope. After their failed DNA attempts at the time of the crime, Hanratty was no forensically linked.
However, this new development within the case, a subsequent appeal hearing had seen the Hanratty family claiming that the evidence over this amount of time could have been cross contaminated due to the lack of care and lax handling and preservation procedures they carried out. The surviving evidence a vial containing DNA had been broken which would have accounted for this evidence contamination, the argument was dismissed by the appealing court, and concluded that DNA evidence stand alone is certain proof of guilt.
This case had so much controversy, fear from the public and illusive evidence surrounding the case that it grew with media attention. In May 1967, 5 years after Hanratty's execution, Peter Alphon was publicly interviewed in Paris in an unprecedented press conference. In this conference Alphon confessed to the media that he was the A6 murderer, the murder which saw Hanratty hanged for in 1962. ITV news had produced the news report in which this information was across the media.
Alphon had stated that "I have a life, its my life or his in this trial, I have a mission in life, Hanratty is expendable" which angered Hanratty's family and the defense council who protested his innocence, saw a 90,000 signature petition be thrown out and dismissed by the home office outside 10 Downing Street.
In the case of Hanratty V. the courts, I feel the sentence he was given was the complete wrong sentence and should have gotten a sentence with appeal, as there were no forensic evidence linking him to the crime, until nearly 30 years after he was hanged, the sentence would have allowed time for him to gain qualifications, and the schooling/education he needed for his mental state, and his mental state could have also been addressed for his depression, and self harm early on in his life and offending history. Sentencing has changed over time whereas criminals and murderers were put in jail to 'rot' and some executed, however nowadays the prisons, courts and psychologists provide a profile saying his mental state, treatment programs etc. Therefore In my opinion there needed hard forensic evidence which linked him solidly and exactly to that scene for him to be executed, and due to the abolishment of the death penalty in the UK, there are more prisoners in jail receiving mental help, as opposed to some countries like the USA where the death penalty is still alive and kicking, but their mental illness support is limited therefore theirs no help for their violent tenancies. There are specific treatment programes for offenders to go on to support their mental state whilst serving their sentence, as psychology wasn't a large area nor was it linked to the criminal justice system at the time the means and sources weren't available but should have been addressed.
Storie was taken to Bedford general hospital where 5 bullets were discovered to have been shot at her at close range. 1 of the bullets had shattered the spinal column, paralyzing her from the neck down, she was later transferred to the intensive care unit where her bloodstained clothes were taken as evidence including the penultimate piece of evidence, her underwear exhibit 26, the extent of testing in the 1960s could find the blood typing of the semen sample, once tested the fibers of the exhibit, blood group O didn't belong to Gregsten, ruling him out, however 40% of the male population had this blood typing group, and with forensic evidence pushed to its limit at that time, the exhibit was filed away in the case files. Storie had given another statement after her surgery by Bedford CID as the first identikit and statement was later lost by the FAO, therefore the investigation team had to make another statement and identikit, multiple identities were made by Storie.
In the hours after the murder, detectives from Bedford CID had searched the scene and surrounding areas, there were no links. Gregsten's Morris minor which had been used to hijack the couple was found abandoned in Essex, however there were no links, no blood, fibers nor hairs that linked Hanratty to the car, nor scene forensically. 24 hours after the crime, the Metropolitan police had found the 38. Enfield gun along with 5 boxes of ammunition under the seats at the back of the south London 36A bus. 3 weeks later spent cartridges were found in the Vienna Hotel which matched the gun. The night before the murder Hanratty had stayed at the Vienna hotel. The police had set up a police lineup and Hanratty was picked out by Storie in the identify parade, along with multiple witnesses that had said they had seen Hanratty driving the Morris Minor before it was abandoned in Essex. On October 14th, Hanratty is charged with the the crime and murder and put on trial in the January of 1962 firstly at Bedford Assizes.
Hanratty had his hearing at Bedford Assizes where it was then taken to the Magistrates court in London. Hanratty's defence was Michael Sherrard, and prosecution Geoffrey Lane and prosecution barrister Graham Swanwick QC. During the case both alibis were brought up by both councils, with the evidence they did have, the multitude of 75 witnesses who had both been in defense and prosecution. Swanwick in his opening statement had said that "Mr Hanratty may have shot the physicist 'for no better reason' than to possess himself of Mr Gregsten's companion". During the case the evidence that was processed was spoken about in court and mainly by the defense as there were no forensic evidence to forensically link Hanratty to the crime. Hanratty's alibis were brought up by the defense and Porsecution despite coming to the conclusion that neither were supported with forensic hard evidence, and the witness evidence was sketchy at best. The Liverpool alibi included Charles France, a fellow larcenist and petty criminal, this alibi fell through as France who was expected to support Hanratty had said he and his fellow fellons had said they "didn't want to associate with murderers" and how France had spoken to the police about the 'hiding spot' on the back of the 36A bus which Hanratty had privately confided in France about.
The Rhyl alibi was only publicly announced on February 7th, the Rhyl alibi consisted of that Hanratty had spent most of his time in Liverpool on the Rhyl alibi date, as he was selling stolen jewelry, he had arrived in Rhyl and looked for Terry Evans who Hanratty befrended, looking for somewhere to stay after not seeing Evans, he went to Ingledene, a local B&B owned by 58 year old, Grace Jones. An issue with the Rhyl alibi is that this was only claimed by Hanratty when he was on trial already, the defense team had only known of Liverpool and no Rhyl before court trial. 11 hours after he changed his story of his whereabouts the defense and jury was confused about his movements around the crime. Although Hanratty remembered the hotel and room extremely well, he didn't remember the address the landlady's name, only guessed her age.
Hanratty had testified his own defense at assizes and stated that he stayed in the b&b near the railway at the back end of Rhyl and paid 25 shillings for 2 nights. most of Hanrattys recollection was surrounding the room he stayed in, the defense needed to find the landlady and b&b as a matter of urgency, Mrs Jones was shone a picture of Hanratty and had recognized him. In court,Swanwick attacked her reputation of her business and of her own character "a little good publicity for Ingledene would not come amiss, would it?" also her incompetence for the incomplete visiting book.
In 1967 an inquiry into this alibi was made, by Detective Chief Superintendent Douglas Nimmo of Manchester city police who had apparently found "no further evidence which might have influenced the verdict". Bob Wolfenden who alongside Paul Foot looked into the case for over 30 years, protested his innocent alongside his family at the time of the case also, and had written books surrounding the case, and its tribulations. Wolfenden had stated that the police at the time didn't thoroughly investigate into the Rhyl Alibi.
In court the trial was reportedly 9 hours long of deliberations, the judge presiding over the court room, Judge Gorman, defense lawyer Michael Sherrard and the Prosecution Geoffrey long and Graham Stanwick. Hanratty was escorted into the courts with a cover over him so the media didn't interact with Hanratty, the crowds outside the courts brought a multitude of different people be that defenders of his innocence, and those who protested his guilt, the support from both sides were extensive. As was the support inside the courts, as the 75 witnesses were for both arguments in the case trial. Storie was escorted into court via ambulance and stretcher as her surgery was over before the trial.
The evidence in court was very limited, the case was predominantly based on witness statements and alibis, as there were no forensic leads tying either suspect to the crime. The main pieces of evidence were the Enfield 38. gun, and report on the matching of the bullets to the gun from the pathologist and firearms specialist, Dr Keith Richards as he detailed how Gregsten died, when the murder was carried out, and how they were shot, and the extent of both of their injuries were mapped. Dr Richards had also tested the firearm for the correct caliber, type and bullet comparison making the gun link to the murder.
The main piece of forensic evidence was Storie's underwear, exhibit 36 as this main piece of forensic evidence, which would link the offender to Storie's rape, however as the forensics in the 60s were exhausted on this piece of evidence and could only obtain a blood group of O which linked to 40% of the male population (this piece of evidence would be later retested multiple times).
Her bloodstained clothes were collected at the hospital after her surgery and were classed as evidence from the scene. Along with the gun, was a handkerchief which was wrapped around the gun and taken as evidence, but had no forensic testing done until 1991 for mucus and saliva testing.
The Morris Minor had no forensic evidence tying it to Hanratty therefore wasn't included, was only noted as being the 'transporter' for the murder.
The majority of evidence, wasn't forensic evidence, the main pieces were the witness statements from onlookers, sighters, the public and the alibi information that was collated.
The prosecution evidence was that Storie in her second identity parade had picked Hanratty, after her admittance that she had only seen the offenders face or a couple of seconds as the offender raped her. John Skillet had reportedly seen Hanratty as the driver of the Morris Minor as it sped across town, along with Edward Blackall who had a closer view of the driver had not seen Hanratty.
James Trower had also identified Hanratty as the driver or the car, however Trower's companion stated that Trower couldn't of seen the driver from the angle he was standing at.
Another witness, Roy Langdale, who served time in prison and claimed Hanratty confessed to him about the crime, however two others people that Hanratty liaised with that he had consistently denied any involvement with the A6 murder.
Charles (Charlie) France, the friend of Hanratty had stood in court stating that Hanratty confined that the 'back seat of a bus was a good place to hide something' which linked with the guns location.
The defenses evidence stated that there were no witnesses to comfirm Hanratty being near Dorney Reach, near the crime. Witness Elsie Cobb had said that about 2:30 on 21 August he had seen a man around 27 to 30, 5ft 6 with hard hair, thin nose passing her house, Frederick Newell had added to her statement and said the man had sallow complexion. The offender according to Storie had said that the gunman had said whilst driving them to the scene "I've been in institutions since I was eight" and Hanratty due to his low intelligence wouldnt have used terminology like 'institutions'.
Mary Lanz who owned the Old Station Inn in Taplow, is where Gregsten and Storie had been before they parked up, and had later identified Alphon being in the same pub at the same time. On the 24th August, Hanratty was said to be in London, however he had sent a telegram from Lime Street in Liverpool making the movement invalid.
In the first identity parade, Storie had picked out with complete certainty an innocent sailor instead of the police suspect Alphon, whereas in the second line up Hanratty's hair had stood out, the police were concerned therefore considered skullcaps. In the Vienna Hotel, where the cartridge cases were found, no one had conclusively explained how they came to be there before the murder. Hanratty had disposed of his suit 6 weeks after the crime, where as Alphon had thrown his raincoat away straight after the crime.
Witness Juliana Galves had seen Alphon with black gloves on his suitcase during his stay at the Vienna and said it was strange with added to his strange behavior during his stay. Peter Alphon had written to the Daily express in 1962 stating that he believed Hanratty was innocent and supported a reprieve, he had also written to the Home secretary, Rab Butler stating "I killed Hanratty". In the original statement made by the FAO which was later never seen again, Storie's story stated that the offender was in his 30's, and in the second statement she had changed this 'fact' to the offender being 'mid 20's', Hanratty was 25, and Alphon 31.
Alphon had resembled the identikits more so than Hanratty did, which was fact. It was reported that when Alphon was under interrogation, stress or anger than his accent and voice lapped into cockney. He had never produced a concrete/convincing alibi to the police, where as Hanratty had 3. Alphon had more motive than Hanratty, and was reported to not be able to drive whereas Hanratty was an experienced driver and vehicle thief. After the verdict, the A6 committee was formed with a cohesive group with one aim, prove the case wrong and clear Hanratty's name, and the committee had pointed out that the police had always refused to investigate any of Alphons confessions. The A6 committee some 12 years later had discovered Storie's original statement from the FAO, and had found 6 witnesses to prove Hanratty was in Rhyl on the states in question.
The conclusions in the trial weren't based solely on a forensic analysis of the evidence collected and preserved from the crime scene, this is due to the lack of evidence, lack of validity and lack of means for testing to gain hard forensic evidence to conclusively determine who was involved and who was the assailant of the A6 murder. Normally in a criminal investigation there is a need for hard forensic evidence with a through analysis and conclusion, where both councils put across to the court, Jury and Judge their findings to support and conclusively say / fight their corners to say this person done it, this person hasn't committed the crime they are questioned about. With this case it has gained so much attention especially in the media, due to the area being quiet and aren't many murders committed, and also because Hanratty was hanged based primarily on witness statement, some forensic evidence (eg. Gun and secret location was told by Hanratty to Charles France, and the cartridges were found in the Vienna hotel were Hanratty was reportedly) but this didn't add up as Hanratty wasn't violent, and had no firearm history in his offender history, also Hanratty had multiple alibis to determine where he was, the Rhyl, Liverpool and Blackpool alibi, and had witnesses to prove this. Also, the driver of the Morris minor which had transported Storie and Gregsten to their crime, the driver had to ask how to drive and Hanratty was an experienced driver, and vehicle thief.
The conclusion that seemed to be a running trend is that from the outset Hanratty was targeted to be the criminal, the intelligence had shown that he was a 'likely candidate' because of his previous convictions for vehicle theft and suspicion surrounding Alphon was a mystery, why did Storie change her testimony, pick the complete wrong person in the first identity parade and why did the police refuse to look into Alphon, with his finances, behavior and demeanor and why was the petty thief with vehicle theft convictions, with low mental iq and capacity and history of depression and self harm? There are many questions surrounding the case, which the media and investigators, police and jury should have been asked.
In court and trial the evidence wasn't supported by the evidence collected and presented into court, the Underwear was the closest forensic evidence they were going to get to tie anyone to the crime, but it wasn't until 2002, after the execution where DNA was 'proven' due to the endless battle by his family and supporters for his innocence. Therefore as there wasnt a cohesive link or name to the DNA, it couldnt have been used as a clear and direct link between the evidence nor person.
In the case there was no hard forensic evidence collected and presented in the courts, the 38. Enfield, the murder weapon was a great find in the case, however there were no fingerprints on the gun to profile for a shooter/ handler however the location of the gun would have been an issue for forensic evidence because it would have been touched possibly by the cleaner Edwin Cooke, as he found the gun, possibly the investigation team/police who would have collected it for evidence, and any others who may have been in contact therefore this wouldn't have been a clear link to the shooter. The piece of evidence linking to the gun was the spent cartridges in the Vienna Hotel where Hanratty was reportedly staying there at the time, as well as Alphon under an alias, therefore wasn't a cohesive link.
The investigation teams protocols and procedures undertaken by the investigation team, were substandard to say the least, from their internal mishandling of evidence and intelligence, to their media attention for naming their suspect almost instantaneously. The evidence as a starting point could have been compromised, as the family had concerns over contamination over their lax evidence handling and collection, this contamination would have compromised the integrity of the evidence. The investigation team who specifically looked into the alibis and testimonies from both suspects, Alphon's statements and confessions were dismissed by police as the police and investigation team refused to look into these to create an informant conclusion as to who logically could have done this. The media played a large part in the investigation, but were quick to name Hanratty as the murderer, this disadvantaged the investigation as the case as steered by a prosecution team who moved the investigation forward with the blame pointed to Hanratty all the way through predominately, until Alphon's 'admittance' in 1965. Alphon's behavior wasn't recorded nor investigated into as he was erratic and acted strangely, from the black gloves to him locking himself in the room at the Vienna for 3 days after the crime occurred. Also the large and unaccounted for sum of money (£7,569) had entered into his account between October 1961 and June 1962, and was unable to account for £5,000 of these payments (it was rumored he was paid to kill)
Strengths of the investigation team included the initial testing of the DNA, although there were no conclusive results from this, the forensics team had exhausted their means of testing and obtained a blood group rather fast. The finding and statements of witnesses were collated fast. The FAO who had lost Storie's original statement which was taken whilst Storie was waiting for the ambulance for emergency surgery, the link here was broken, and had to be re written, this time after her surgery by Bedford CID.
As Hanratty's trial was going ahead, there was the issue of his background brought up, Hanratty had an offender history of being a 'professional thief' but had no previous convictions for violence, and never handled or had a gun. The offender in the case was reported to be a bad driver, which wouldn't link Hanratty as his main focus of offending was vehicle theft, Hanratty had no knowledge of the two victims and had no logical motive for the murder. Alphon was known to be involved with the criminal underbelly/underground dealing in firearms and assassinations, this source is from a close friend affiliated with Alphon, if this statement is correct then Alphon had the means to firearms and had 'work' which would also explain the lump sum he wasn't able to count for during the investigation.
The 12 man Jury after 9 hours of deliberations, after reportedly some evidence left out of the trial, the confusion that left the 12 man jury with clouded vision as to the events, alibi time scale and involvement of either suspect, they had come to their verdict. After being presented with the evidence, hearing from 75 witnesses called from both counsels, and multiple alibis, the jury's verdict was Guilty, sentencing Hanratty to execution by hanging at Bedford Gaol by executioner Harry Allen, April 4th 1962, he was one of the last people to be executed by the country. The death penalty in Britain was abolished some 3 years after his execution.
Hanratty had protested his innocent and stated that he set up by police. His family and public were convinced that miscarriage of justice was the penultimate conclusion. Hanratty's last conversation with his father, he stated "clear my name, i'll take my punishment like a man tomorrow, they've pinned this on me, never let anyone say a wrong word about me". As there were no forensic evidence linking Hanratty to the crime, those involved and following the case were outraged that they had condemned Hanratty to the death penalty on witness statements as no evidence linked him. The A6 defense committee after his death were instrumental to raising concerns surrounding the case, the protocols, the investigation team, the handling, the evidence etc. Celebrities John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono had also been fighting and campaigning for his defense and even stated that "Britain Killed Hanratty". The A6 committee had revisited and fought his defense and found original testimonies, statement, evidence which was held from court, and support for alibis.
In 1985 after Hanratty's execution, extensive discoveries were occurring in science and genetics as a whole, DNA profiling was now available which revolutionized forensic evidence and analysis, the illusive exhibit 36 the underwear was tested again in order to detail who carried out the rape and who's DNA that is. A tiny piece of the exhibit was taken and placed into a sterile solution, and centrifuged, multiple chemicals are added to destroy any cellular debris from the solution and is to separate the DNA from the solution to gather a pure refined DNA solution. Normally there should be 100s strands of DNA in the solution, but as the sample was 30 years old, there was not enough for a profile, therefore no profile was made by the forensics team.
In 1991, Bedfordshire police department had allowed Bob Wolfenden access to their undisclosed files on the A6 murder case. The surviving exhibits were 'lost' until 1991, and the evidence were found in envelopes in a laboratory cupboard, the DNA was donated by Hanratty's relatives which the family expected to absolve blame and aquit him from the crime, when comparing the material on the surviving evidence. Hanratty's body was exhumed in 2001 for DNA evidence extraction also. This exhumed DNA was compared with the mucus evidence on the handkerchief as this in the trial was wrapped around the gun known as the murder weapon, the semen preserved from Stories underwear were also under the microscope. After their failed DNA attempts at the time of the crime, Hanratty was no forensically linked.
However, this new development within the case, a subsequent appeal hearing had seen the Hanratty family claiming that the evidence over this amount of time could have been cross contaminated due to the lack of care and lax handling and preservation procedures they carried out. The surviving evidence a vial containing DNA had been broken which would have accounted for this evidence contamination, the argument was dismissed by the appealing court, and concluded that DNA evidence stand alone is certain proof of guilt.
This case had so much controversy, fear from the public and illusive evidence surrounding the case that it grew with media attention. In May 1967, 5 years after Hanratty's execution, Peter Alphon was publicly interviewed in Paris in an unprecedented press conference. In this conference Alphon confessed to the media that he was the A6 murderer, the murder which saw Hanratty hanged for in 1962. ITV news had produced the news report in which this information was across the media.
Alphon had stated that "I have a life, its my life or his in this trial, I have a mission in life, Hanratty is expendable" which angered Hanratty's family and the defense council who protested his innocence, saw a 90,000 signature petition be thrown out and dismissed by the home office outside 10 Downing Street.
In the case of Hanratty V. the courts, I feel the sentence he was given was the complete wrong sentence and should have gotten a sentence with appeal, as there were no forensic evidence linking him to the crime, until nearly 30 years after he was hanged, the sentence would have allowed time for him to gain qualifications, and the schooling/education he needed for his mental state, and his mental state could have also been addressed for his depression, and self harm early on in his life and offending history. Sentencing has changed over time whereas criminals and murderers were put in jail to 'rot' and some executed, however nowadays the prisons, courts and psychologists provide a profile saying his mental state, treatment programs etc. Therefore In my opinion there needed hard forensic evidence which linked him solidly and exactly to that scene for him to be executed, and due to the abolishment of the death penalty in the UK, there are more prisoners in jail receiving mental help, as opposed to some countries like the USA where the death penalty is still alive and kicking, but their mental illness support is limited therefore theirs no help for their violent tenancies. There are specific treatment programes for offenders to go on to support their mental state whilst serving their sentence, as psychology wasn't a large area nor was it linked to the criminal justice system at the time the means and sources weren't available but should have been addressed.
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