thethemeis: Aftermath
theauthoris: Deadbeat
"In other news, Jamie Barnes has been released from prison today after being cleared of all charges connect to the abduction and murder of 7 year old Jessica Trent 12 years ago. This comes after Sarah Trent, the girl's mother, gave a report to the police citing her ex-husband Peter as the perpetrator of the murder. After finally admitting his actions in court 2 days ago the police have sufficient grounds to grant James Barnes his freedom. The chief of police Donald Sutherton has apologised profusely to Mr. Barnes for the grave miscarriage of justice. It is believed Mr. Barnes could receive in excess of £2 million in compensation."
You'd be hard pressed to find a news report any longer than that on the subject. Sure, there had been pages and pages written about the new evidence coming to light and the subsequent arrest of Mr. Trent. Channel 4 were even commissioning a documentary on the whole saga, but in reference to the releasing an innocent man after 12 years of what can only be described as some kind of personal hell, you be lucky to find a full 2 paragraphs.
None of the tabloids had the audacity the put the story on the front pages. James' release was squashed down into the bottom two lines of stories with headlines such as "Animal Admits Daughter's Murder". Ironic really, given the extensive coverage they'd previously given their poster-boy of child murder. One of the more self-important broadsheets cast James as the protagonist in a "hard-hitting" expose of miscarriages of justice and failings in the legal system. It was nice to see them give a new role to their one-time star of a a piece explaining failings in Britain's orphanages which were capable of "churning out maladjusted and sick individuals into society".
I was impossible to find a quote from the man himself anywhere.
People in pubs and dinning rooms up and down the country struggled equally with discussing the news. The police often got a good bashing for their incompetence in the affair. How dare they allow the general public to vilify and launch a campaign of hate on an innocent man. There were no shortage of semi-drunk men giving graphic descriptions of what exactly they would do to the girls father if they got their hands on him. If was often exactly what semi-drunk men would have done to James 12 years ago. If anybody happened to bring up his name then it was generally agreed he was a lucky bastard to get so much money out of it.
Besides, he always looked a bit weird. "I wouldn't surprise me if he was into that sort of thing anyway."
The disappointing thing for most people was that it was so clear cut. If it had been a witness testimony which had become invalid, or some new DNA evidence that had been found then there could be some element of doubt over the whole thing which would mean nobody would have to change their opinion on the matter. Mind you, there were a few smug people who claimed to have know it was the parents all along. There nothing quite as satisfying as being able to spot a kiddie murderer just from a few press appearances. They should really have put some money on it.
----------------------------
I never got to see James after his release. The truth was, I didn't know him that well before his arrest, I just worked with the guy briefly. Even still, I found it hard to believe he'd done what they said at the time. Then again, I found it hard to believe anyone would do that. I guess I just remained decidedly uninformed about the whole situation, whilst people all around me aired their thoughts on what happened.
I never heard or saw anything about him again after those reports.
No comments:
Post a Comment