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Following the tragic death of Richard on 01.01.04, a murder investigation was launched. Initially 8 people were arrested and interviewed. Gradually, suspect by suspect, the police were forced to release them without charge, citing lack of evidence owing to the fact that none of Richard's friends witnessed the blow that killed him. The only charges the police suggested to the Crown Prosecution Service were Public Order Offences directed at Simon Harvey and Tom Bough. The latter had since moved to New Zealand and his legal representative said it would be unfair for him to face a charge at Youth Court without being present. Because of this, he was let off. As was Simon Harvey. As of yet, no one has faced any charges for the death of Richard, which in the eyes of the British Justic System was in fact an unlawful killing. This is largely down to the fact a wall of silence that engulfed the entire gang over well over 20 who were involved in the attack on Richard and his friends. Constitutional laws allowed them to simply sit in their interview and mutter the words no comment to every question the police directed at them. Any repetition of the same question from the interviewing officer could be perceived as intimidation, so was unacceptable in interviewing the witnesses and murder suspects alike. The police denied access to the media to several files attached to the murder investigation, which could imply that the police one day desire to reopen the investigation, particularly now those under suspicion are over 18 and can no longer hide behind the pathetic minor laws harboured by the British Justice System. Three of Richard's friends who were with him on the night were given cautions, charged with Possession of an Offensive Weapon. They armed themselves with the intention of defending themselves, several of them having already been assaulted earlier in the night. And despite over a dozen members of the other gang possessing bottles and bricks, no such charges were bought against them. By being honest and co-operating with the police's investigation, Richard's friends were rewarded with a caution and criminal record. By lying through their teeth or muttering "no comment", every member of the attacking gang was let off. Tom Downing was released when two of Richard's friends failed to identify him in a video ID parade. One of these friends even said to the Inspector running the video ID parade that he "thought" he could identify the person but could not be 100% sure. The Inspector informed him that this could not be used as a positive ID. Had the witness not made this enquiry and simply chose the suspect he thought it was, it may have been enough to bring at least a Public Order charge against him. Another example of how honesty was punished in this investigation. Scott Woodcock was within a few feet of Richard when he died. |
