The Police Caution prior to interview

[Faith]

Just going to concentrate now on pursuing 'evidence' from other avenues. Chris Saltrese says that anything that might discredit the accusers would make a charge even less likely. He's helped prepare a statement for my fiancee and now police are going to speak to my family and the family of the people previously accused. I'm going to maintain my silence and hope for the best!
It's already gone to CPS, and I don't particularly trust that the police will get that evidence to them. Going to ask Chris on Monday if there's a way he can contact the CPS with statements directly. If anyone can do it, he can, if he thinks it's the right thing to do!

It's nice to talk to you LS

[LS]

Sounds like a good plan. Cut out the middleman. Hope it works for you, and of course keep us updated.
Nice to talk to you too.

[Rights Fighter]

I was talking to the officer in charge today, who informed me that the case has now gone to CPS, even though he's yet to question people on my side and receive my fiancee's statement that solicitor Chris Saltrese helped her write. He said 'This could have been chucked out without CPS involvement if you'd given us your side' and 'All we have is the accuser's statement, her mum's statement and statements from some of her friends. And the fact that you said no comment'

Reading this reinforces my belief that I did do the right thing however.

I think the officer is trying to keep you sweet hon. "No comment" interviews are usually frowned upon unless the sol has advised it and even then they still take the view that if you have nothing to hide you will talk.

I've sat opposite too many guys in prison on legal visits who were told the same thing. They obligingly gave the info to that nice OIC who said the same thing, who then either "lost it" or twisted it to their own advantage.

There are some very good coppers out there but due to the corrupt officers I trust none of them now.

[Faith]

I think the officer is trying to keep you sweet hon. "No comment" interviews are usually frowned upon unless the sol has advised it and even then they still take the view that if you have nothing to hide you will talk.
.

Eeeek, so this will probably count against me in CPS's eyes that I have said no comment?

[Rights Fighter]

Not in particular - it tends to go against the def at trial.

The jury would be told that he went "no comment" and the old fart in a dress and wig will direct the jury not to hold it against him as this was done under legal advice - but the jury will still still think "what did he have to hide?"

They are not likely to know that the police will twist things in interview to suit their case which is why, unless full disclosure has been given it is best to go no comment as you don't know what it is you are up against. The jury are not aware of that.

In your situation, others have given no comment interviews and then been NFA'd. As I said it's usually at trial the jury will take a dim view despite the judge's directions.

[LS]

Unless of course you manage - during questioning - to explain why you went no comment. I'm sure your barrister would ask you that for their benefit.
However the juries are fickle beings.
Answer questions during interview and get stuffed by plod losing, misplacing, hiding or twisting evidence.
Or go no comment and still get stuffed by 12 ignorant neanderthals.

Personally, I'd give a prepared statement, no comment to the rest, and make bloody sure the jury were in no doubt that I've got good reason to distrust police. Especially police during interview.

[Faith]

Would it look bad if I gave a prepared statement at this stage?
My original duty solicitor advised against it but I'm don't have a great deal of faith in her.
I'll ask Chris about that when I speak to him on Monday.Probably too late at this stage and would look a bit odd that I was only doing it now.

[Rights Fighter]

I was about to say "Ask Chris" but you are going to do that anyway. Be guided by what he says. Maybe he will attend interview if he is available.

[Faith]

I did expect you to say that RF so thought I'd pre-empt you
I'm just thinking aloud, from the sounds of things, Chris seemed highly confident that the case would not go to charge, but that was then we had all this other information that hasn't ended up going to the police.
I'll ask him first if he can get this info to the CPS...if so Id imagine a statement from me wouldnt be needed.
I would be a bit far for him to travel would I not?

Anyway, I'm busy putting the final touches to your birthday card...
For you are a year older tomorrow

[Rights Fighter]

You would have to pay his travel and time but if he is available he might well oblige. Worth and ask anyway. It would be well worth it for peace of mind....

[Faith]

Oh yeah everything is worth an ask, youre right.
If he wasn't able to travel he could probably help me prepare a statement like he did for my fiancee

[Rights Fighter]

As you don't have funding for him you might like to offer to pay him otherwise it's taking him for granted.

[Faith]

Oh, do I have to declare that I am going to pay? I assumed I would be paying anyway.
I'd better make that clear to him. It certainly wasn't my intention to ask him to do any of this work for free
I feel a bit stupid; I'm still learning how all this works. How embarrassing; I hope Chris doesn't think I'm taking the p*ss!

[Rights Fighter]

I am sure he does not. I thought it might be good just to mention it to him so he knows you are not a chancer.

[Faith]

I'll bring it up on Monday. I'll make it clear I'll be paying for anything he does, including what he has done so far