Jean Madeline Penfold 1968

vicq
New Member

Posts: 29

Jean Madeline Penfold 1968 Nov 22, 2020 19:56:39 GMT liferreilly and julieellis like this

Post by vicq on Nov 22, 2020 19:56:39 GMT

I have decided to trawl through the unsolved murders from 1968 to the 1980s to see if I can find any suspects or cases that might tie in with the person of interest I am seeking in ADELINE BRACEGIRDLE's murder.
I have got sidetracked on the 3rd case in 1968 ( so it's going to be a long process!).

This is an interesting example of a Court of Appeal ordered retrial on the basis of new evidence.

At the retrial Dr. Alan Grant of Guy's hospital gave evidence as to the spots of blood on the the accused's ( Anthony Kenneth Merry ) shoes and suit. The blood was of Jean Penfold's type but that was of a common type.

However presumably at the first trial the defence presented similar evidence relating to the blood spots so I don't understand how this was NEW evidence.

truecrimelibrary.com/crimearticle/two-trials-for-the-man-with-blood-on-his-shoes accessed 22/11/2020

On checking BMD records it appears that Anthony Merry married in 1973 and died on 19 Nov 2008 aged 65yrs.

The most striking thing I came across was a 2018 memorial notice from a newspaper

JEAN PENFOLD 24/11/43 - 2/12/1968 Age 25 years
In loving memory of a Dear Wife to David and Mummy to Julie
Deliberately taken in Woolwich on 2/12/68 50 years ago
Always in our thoughts You will never be forgotten We love you
David, Julie .......RIP

( my emphasis in bold)

The sentence for the relatives and friends of a murder victim is always a life sentence.

newsshopper.co.uk dated 28 Nov 2018 accessed 22/11/2020.

matthewspicer
Junior Member

Posts: 83

Jean Madeline Penfold 1968 Nov 22, 2020 21:20:41 GMT julieellis likes this

Post by matthewspicer on Nov 22, 2020 21:20:41 GMT

www.truecrimelibrary.com/product/true-detective-november-2004/

.... is the case - the new evidence was at the CoA/second trial Dr Alan Grant said the blood was 'more likely' to have come
from an industrial accident, which is what Merry said at the first trial, but presumably there was no expert witness to back this up at the first trial ....

I actually did the case - hence the link; but now haven't the original, so don't know if Dr Grant gave evidence at the first trial ....

matthew:)

liferreilly
Full Member

Posts: 241

Jean Madeline Penfold 1968 Nov 22, 2020 22:56:13 GMT matthewspicer and julieellis like this

Post by liferreilly on Nov 22, 2020 22:56:13 GMT

It would be interesting if Merry's suit had been preserved and the retrial done today, to see what the outcome would've been.

Just an observation here, but after reading through countless cases, people who are accused of murder tend to be an unlucky
bunch. They always seem to draw blood at work; or the scratches on their face were done by the cat etc.
How many times in our lives do we actually get blood on us? (unless we're a butcher or surgeon etc) it's very rare.
I used to work in care, looking after some dangerous people, who would punch, kick, throw things at me on a daily basis.
I basically got assaulted for a living:) But I don't ever remember getting any blood on myself. Maybe I was just lucky!

Both men were convicted then acquitted, in both the Penfold/Bracegirdle cases. Yet (from memory)both men admitted to being in the house,
Not long before a murder takes place. Yet they didn't do it? More bad luck/really bad timing maybe? I bet the laws of probability wouldn't be on their sides.

Interesting cases though, quite a few similarities.

matthewspicer
Junior Member

Posts: 83

Jean Madeline Penfold 1968 Nov 22, 2020 23:37:16 GMT vicq and julieellis like this

Post by matthewspicer on Nov 22, 2020 23:37:16 GMT

.... today it would have been poss. straight-away to see if the blood on Merry was the victim's with DNA ....

given the acquittal it is poss. for it to be re-examined if the clothing was kept - but of course it was his clothing
and presumably it would have been returned to him ....

plus I just don't remember the case in detail but the BNA - small reports - says (Merry said) the blood came after a man was killed falling in
lift-shaft and Merry helped pull the body out; so maybe some of the accident victim's blood is involved too ....

m:)

Last Edit: Nov 22, 2020 23:38:12 GMT by matthewspicer

liferreilly
Full Member

Posts: 241

Jean Madeline Penfold 1968 Nov 23, 2020 0:17:51 GMT vicq and julieellis like this

Post by liferreilly on Nov 23, 2020 0:17:51 GMT

Yeah i only know surface level information on both cases. Just thinking out loud really.

I don't know how long after the murder Merry was interviewed or arrested. If he'd had time
to try and clean the suit etc Just thinking about the co-incidences.

Like how many times in a person's life would they accidentally get blood on themselves?
How many times would they be interviewed or accused of murder? The co-incidence of them
both happening within a small time frame. Yet be unconnected? It could happen, but i'd take
a bit of convincing:)