The Judas Murders

by Bill Williams

  After hesitating a moment, simultaneously taking a glance around the court and seeing the sullen look on the face of Kinsella, the smile of Doris and the apprehension of Watkiss he answered.

  “I came to the conclusion there appeared ample evidence against the two prisoners in the dock, they had a motive and, opportunity. I was of the opinion however that some of the lines of enquiry had been followed in a manner I would describe as, a quick job, as we would have said in the old days. Some items had not in my opinion been taken to their conclusion, in other words there was little evidence of attention to detail.”

  There were gasps around the room especially on the faces of both Doris and Kinsella. Watkiss was holding her head down, the prosecuting team who had reviewed the evidence before authorising prosecution were shaking their heads in disbelief.

  “Pray continue your evidence Mr Richards,” said, Hayes, nothing was going his way yet, had he done the correct thing? Still, the case against his clients was an open and shut case from the start, he doubted he would be chastised by the law society if they were convicted.

  Prosecuting counsel, Honeysuckle Watts stood and interrupted him, “Mr Richards pray tell the court an example of this apparent ineptitude by the police investigation team and possibly others.”

  The judge now spoke, “Miss Watts please permit this witness to relate his evidence in the normal chronological order and without interruption, you will have ample opportunity to put questions later as you full well know.”

  She sat down without speaking.

  Jack continued, “My Lord, I was, in any event about to give an example of what I mean. The court has been told that forensic enquiries at the murder scenes revealed evidence. Amongst this evidence was the fact that fibres from the clothing later traced to both the accused were discovered. Examples being the uniform of nurse Gittins and an old police overcoat worn by Mr Ron Gittins. In addition their DNA was discovered checked against controlled samples they had provided at the time of their arrests. I was therefore surprised not to read in the report of the private company that now carries these tests no mention of any other DNA traces or fibres from any other clothing that could be attributed to any other persons.

  These items were in everyday use It would seem appropriate that there should have been traces of fibres and DNA in addition to that of the accused. I would have expected there would have been traces from others, including care workers and relatives. I would have expected that the reports would have stated that such evidence was discovered followed up and then negated if not connected.

  I therefore suspected thorough checks had not been carried out, possibly due to the inexperience of the officer carrying out the examination or short cuts to reduce time and therefore costs. As a result of this I instructed the two scientists, you My Lord will instantly recall. Professors Hallam and Bolister the world renowned experts in these areas, previously of the Home Office but now in private practice to carry out a review of the items.”

  “They have reviewed these and the post-mortem results. Their report confirms the causes of death and the means employed as identical to the results passed to the police.”

  “Regarding the exhibits they have informed me and are present outside the court to confirm this when called. That, they did discover additional fibres and DNA. This indicated to me that persons other than the accused had been in close contact with the victims. The DNA found on the pillows clearly used in the murder was very important.”

  “This new information did not point immediately and directly to any other suspect or suspects but were pointers that if there was any other person or persons who had a motive to murder these innocent victims it did in fact link such person or persons to the scene of the crime.”

  “Clearly, a new line of enquiry using my attention to detail rule would therefore be required to check the various people who had access to the murder victims but also would have a motive.”

  He continued on another theme, “I have noted the witnesses at all the scenes of the murders, all stated that they knew of no-one else who could be visiting the deceased when they were alone. The carers for instance arrived in tandem, otherwise one relative or another was present. That is except for Mrs Kyle Gittins and the court has heard how in the case of Mrs Carter, the nurse stated she would return. This therefore confirmed her as the possible murderer.”

  “My Lord I consider this issue of other persons in the area could have been looked at in more detail by the police investigation team. I appreciate a uniform officer did make local enquires but I believe not being a trained detective the officer made only superficial enquiries. The Superintendent in charge of the case in my view failed to respond as a good and experienced detective would have done, that is to say, made more and detailed enquiries. I will be able to tell the court momentarily that I have made further enquiries resulting in a very interesting result.”

  “I now turn to another important facet and the leading factor in the prosecution of the two accused. The leaving of money to them by the victims, £20,000 total in each case. This is a substantial sum even these days. Regrettably the police appear to have taken this evidence submitted on typed copy but signed by the deceased, Mr Rochester and the corroborating solicitor from an another practice at face value and in my opinion again indicated a quick fix.”

  “My Lord, I have therefore investigated this line of enquiry in great detail using what the police ascertained as an initial guide. I have spoken with the next of kin of the victims who confirmed the good relationship both the accused had with the victims, as the court has been told. I learned that the wealth of the deceased came about as a result of selling land they had for building purposes a supermarket and similar.”

  “I have spoken with Mr Rochester the family solicitor, a man of great experience. He and his father before him have dealt with the affairs of the deceased persons legal requirements both, business and private for many years. He was therefore suitably placed to assist as I learned he had power of attorney in each case.”

  The Judge interrupted, “Mr Richards, a moment please. Members of the jury may I please explain the phrase, power of attorney. A power of attorney enables someone else to manage your affairs on your behalf when you are no longer able to or no longer want to.”

  “None of us likes to think of a time when we can no longer manage our own affairs, but it’s reassuring to know that there are procedures in place which should help someone else to do it for us.”

  “A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows you to choose someone to make decisions for you when you no longer want to or are no longer able to. It gives your representative the right to manage your affairs and make decisions on your behalf.”

  “With a property and financial affairs you can decide to give your representative (known as your ‘attorney’) the power to make decisions about any or all of your affairs. It gives your attorney the right to make decisions as if they were you, but they must also make sure they act in your best interests. Your attorney can’t act on your behalf until the lasting power of attorney is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian in England and Wales, the body responsible for registering them and maintaining the Register of registered instruments and dealing with complaints about the conduct of attorneys.”

  “A Health and Welfare Lasting power of attorney allows you to choose someone to make decisions about your health and personal welfare should you no longer be able to do so. You can decide to give your attorney the power to make decisions about any or all of your health and welfare matters.”

  “Anyone aged 18 or over can make an order appointing one or more attorneys to act on their behalf. It is important to make it while you are still capable of making decisions about who to appoint as your attorneys and what powers you want to give them.”

  “A third type of power of attorney is known as an ordinary power of attorney. This option only covers property and finances and ceases if the donor loses mental capacity. An ordinary
never needs to be registered with the authorities.”

  The judge concluded, then nodded at Jack and said, “Mr Richards please continue.”

  “My Lord, at this juncture I find myself having to offer an apology for seemingly neglecting my duties. The Chief Constable, the Crown Prosecution Service lawyers and the officers in the case are aware that recently I have been absent from home and this area. I have visited London for several days and indeed overseas for a full week. I sought no leave of absence nor did I reveal to any person the reason for this apparent neglect so near this trial.”

  There were looks around, those he had named were well aware and some had been critical, the Cheshire Set all smiled at the fact he was having to apologise.

  The Judge looked at him but showed no emotion, he waited with bated breath, for Jack Richards had never before been negligent.

  “Mr Richards the court suspects that if Jack the Hat, to quote a phrase, acted in this manner there was a good reason, pray update the jury.”

  “Thank you My Lord. As a result of my enquiries and yes suspicions and having read the wills of the deceased persons I decided it was prudent to obtain various search warrants and warrants to seize certain items.”

  “In company with Police Constable George Turner I visited the offices of the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Liverpool, Merseyside. Constable Turner produced the high court warrant, as a result, certain very important documents were examined by me, seized by the officer and later sent for examination by Professor Bolister.”

  “This seizure necessitated revisiting the relatives of the deceased persons. On this occasion certain documents were also seized and they were also sent for examination by Professor Bolister.”

  “I now turn to my visit to London for several days. Contrary to popular belief, it was not in fact a period of relaxation for me away from this enquiry, though my wife would confess she enjoyed the trip, visiting the London shops.”

  There were laughs around the court.

  “No My Lord, my purpose in visiting was to make further enquiries not possible locally. I attended New Scotland Yard the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. The Commissioner readily provided an experienced detective to assist me. Under the authority of the high court warrant issued here in Chester, we visited various premises and interviewed several persons. The result of my enquiries indicate that the two accused were not in fact the only suspects in these deaths. Had full enquiries been made and attention to detail been paid by the police, this would have been revealed to them. My enquiries revealed a name not revealed by any police or other enquiry thus far.”

  At this juncture Woman Constable George Turner arrived in court, she would not be called it seemed. She was accompanied by Inspector Tom Striker. A paratrooper before he had joined the police and renowned as a man who could take care of himself. The policewoman known as “Big Sal,” also arrived, the three sat at the rear of the court, the Court Usher meanwhile handed a note to Chief Constable Watkiss, who looked amazed.

  All were now staring at Richards. Thus far he had related only items of enquiries but no specific detail, which caused the Prosecuting Counsel Honeysuckle Watts to stand and interrupt him.

  “Me Ludd, Mr Richards has been free with innuendos but nothing specific, this new name Black he did mention to me, but until he brought it up there is no mention of such a name by anyone involved in the enquiry. Is this not a waste of the court`s time?”

  “Miss Watts, I am certain Mr Richards would not lightly mention such a name and will I am sure enlighten you, myself and the jury if you will permit him to continue.”

  She sat down shaking her head and making a note on her pad, clearly intending to complain to higher powers.

  “Thank you My Lord I will now do so.” Replied Jack, “I will now reveal the results of my enquires item for item.

  “With regard to other persons who had access to the deceased persons unaccompanied. Further to enquiries made by the police I ascertained that on the day Mrs Iris Carter was murdered the highway authority were undertaking a vehicle count, that is to say staff sitting in vehicles on the road recording passing vehicles. As a result, all vehicles driven along the road passed the murder scene had their registered numbers recorded even though the vehicles were not stopped.”

  “ In addition a farm worker informed me that there had been a nuisance aircraft overhead, buzzing, as he called. The man knew of the plane and that it was an aerial photographer taking photographs which he later attempted to sell in the area. As a result of this information I traced this man and he produced to me and will do so to the court, several aerial photographs of the home of Mrs. Carter. Within the curtilage of the property a car can be clearly seen. It is bright orange in colour. The index number can clearly be seen. Constable Turner has done a check, this revealed the registered keeper of this vehicle.”

  There were now looks around the court as closer attention was now paid.

  Suddenly there were raised voices, Jack stopped speaking all looked towards the rear of the room.

  It was Jordan Rochester, he had stood, clearly about to leave, Striker had taken hold of him to prevent him.

  “Mr Rochester please be seated as directed by his Lordship,” called Tom Striker, to some degree anticipating it, having read the note left for him by Jack Richards. It appears Richards was correct Rochester had been spooked and was desperate to leave the court.

  “I will not sit here any longer, you can all go to hell.”

  All present gazed in complete surprise though a glance by Chief Constable Watkiss at Richards saw no such look.

  The Judge called, “Mr Rochester you do surprise me, a lawyer with your experience, please be seated or you will find yourself under arrest for contempt.”

  With that Rochester pushed forward, clearly about to leave no matter what Striker or the Judge had said.

  Striker held him firm now assisted by “Big Sal.”

  Richards looked at Woman Constable George Turner and nodded to her. She walked to Rochester, now held firm.

  “Mr Jordan Rochester. I am arresting you for the murder of Mrs. Iris Carter and others. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

  With that Rochester was forcibly taken from the room by Striker, big Sal and Turner, a smile on her face. The first crime she had ever investigated, well been involved with, a case of multiple murders and she had made an arrest.

  Hayes stood, a snigger on his face, he turned and glanced at his clients then winked and waited for the windstorm, it soon arrived.

  Kinsella sat with gaping mouth, as did Chief Constable Watkiss, the Police Commissioner, writhing his hands.

  Honeysuckle Watts was now standing, she could not wait to wade in. “My Lord this is outrageous, this surely has never occurred before in any court in the United Kingdom. A witness in a case being arrested for murder whilst the accused are still in the dock enduring their trial.”

  Judge Stevens was clearly aghast, he cast his mind back over the years, Richards had done some different things but this was the best yet, what should he do? He looked at the accused, then down at the papers Hayes had supplied him with, at the last moment.

  “Silence in court,” he called, then he took a chance the appeal court would not go against him, “Mr Richards please do enlighten the court.”

  Jack continued, “I now turn to the money left to the accused, by the murder victims. It struck me as very strange that each person who, although may have been known to each other in some instances that they should have left exactly the same amount. It appeared to me this may have been part of a system and pre arranged, I therefore decided to look more closely at this and indeed the source of the money involved in these cases.”

  “When I visited the law courts in Liverpool it was in fact to check on the wills. I believe all others in the case had thus far had only sight of the typed
copies supplied by Mr Rochester. Under the authority of a court warrant I visited the offices of the Probate department where wills are deposited.”

  “On checking all the documents I saw that they had in fact been hand written. One would of course expect this as they had been made at the home the deceased. On reading these I saw that the contents differed greatly from the typed copy. The legacies to the accused and the relatives were endorsed as per the typed copy. The hand written copy however showed that the sum of around £300,000, it varied a little in each case, had been left to a Mr and Mrs Jack Black.”

  There were now gasps and head shaking from the relatives but Richards plodded on.

  “I have told the court that I visited the witnesses again. I obtained from them documents which bore the signature of each of the deceased persons. I submitted for forensic examination each hand written “Will,” and the document with the signature of the deceased. They did not match. Therefore the signatures purported to have been made by the deceased on the Wills lodged at the probate office were forgeries. I also submitted for forensic examination the original statement made to the police by Mr. Rochester, Professor Bolister confirmed that the signature and other written matter of Mr Rochester matched the forgeries.”