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Strange Deaths

Fox. On a lead. That'd sort it.
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What a twat.
Massively. Although there might have been a situation where she started screaming or trying to attack him in self defence, not realising that some bloke hadn't just broke into her B&B bedroom but had in fact walked into his own bedroom and was equally surprised. Not an excuse to kick an older woman to death of course but maybe the reason he reacted how he did?. I've just been wondering what I'd do in his situation. Phone the police I reckon but I'd leave the room sharpish first and go down stairs. The police could have calmed her down and escorted her to her B&B instead. She'd have probably even apologised to the bloke the next day.
 
Massively. Although there might have been a situation where she started screaming or trying to attack him in self defence, not realising that some bloke hadn't just broke into her B&B bedroom but had in fact walked into his own bedroom and was equally surprised. Not an excuse to kick an older woman to death of course but maybe the reason he reacted how he did?. I've just been wondering what I'd do in his situation.
Me too, @Swifty. That is exactly what I started to think about. I'm not sure how I would react, other than calling the police, but I definitely wouldn't stomp on someone.

If it was someone larger (eg a male) who was threatening me, I certainly wouldn't be able to do anything other than run.
 
Me too, @Swifty. That is exactly what I started to think about. I'm not sure how I would react, other than calling the police, but I definitely wouldn't stomp on someone.

If it was someone larger (eg a male) who was threatening me, I certainly wouldn't be able to do anything other than run.
To be fair to him, it was his house but it should go without saying that he massively over reacted. I imagine he was probably pissed up as well, not that that's a good excuse.
 
Massively. Although there might have been a situation where she started screaming or trying to attack him in self defence, not realising that some bloke hadn't just broke into her B&B bedroom but had in fact walked into his own bedroom and was equally surprised. Not an excuse to kick an older woman to death of course but maybe the reason he reacted how he did?. I've just been wondering what I'd do in his situation. Phone the police I reckon but I'd leave the room sharpish first and go down stairs. The police could have calmed her down and escorted her to her B&B instead. She'd have probably even apologised to the bloke the next day.

Me too, @Swifty. That is exactly what I started to think about. I'm not sure how I would react, other than calling the police, but I definitely wouldn't stomp on someone.

If it was someone larger (eg a male) who was threatening me, I certainly wouldn't be able to do anything other than run.
He has been sentenced to 14 years. Apparently she did lunge at his partner. He then dragged her downstairs before putting the boot in. I think if this happened to me and I had the strength to drag a person down some stairs then I would have the strength to drag them outside and then call the police and skip the kicking them to death part. That might be considered reasonable I think? He didn't show any remorse either.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65129157

Speaking after sentencing, Det Supt Mark Pierce, of North Wales Police, said Redfern had shown no remorse during his two-week trial.
The officer said he had tried to blame Mrs Barnes and subjected her family to "the trauma" of a court case.
"How a 21st (133kg), 6ft 1in (185cm) man could have inflicted such catastrophic injuries on a frail, 71-year-old lady, 25 years his senior, is beyond the comprehension of any reasonable person," he said.
"David Redfern is a cowardly, vicious bully and will now spend at least 14 years behind bars."
He praised Mrs Barnes' family for their "courage and dignity".
"They can now start to re-build their lives," he added.
Rhian Jones, speaking for the CPS after sentencing, said: "David Redfern's reaction to the mistake was unjustified and completely out of proportion to the situation.
 
I'm with min on this one. If someone (anyone who isn't a child) attacked my Mrs, they'd be forcefully removed if I thought she was in danger and sod the law (the Mrs is actually not scared of a scrap), but you just don't keep beating someone on the ground (unless they're armed with a knife etc).

It sounds like he was trying to protect his Mrs but went massively over the top, it wouldn't surprise me to learn fighting isn't something he's known for but he did and he killed this woman. I think the judge considered all angles and did his best to get the balance right. Not much consolation to her family, he hasn't given the attacker a 'revenge' sentence but why didn't they just call the police?. Alcohol.
 
I'm with min on this one. If someone (anyone who isn't a child) attacked my Mrs, they'd be forcefully removed if I thought she was in danger and sod the law (the Mrs is actually not scared of a scrap), but you just don't keep beating someone on the ground (unless they're armed with a knife etc).

It sounds like he was trying to protect his Mrs but went massively over the top, it wouldn't surprise me to learn fighting isn't something he's known for but he did and he killed this woman. I think the judge considered all angles and did his best to get the balance right. Not much consolation to her family, he hasn't given the attacker a 'revenge' sentence but why didn't they just call the police?. Alcohol.
Me, I would have backed off and made it clear that she was trespassing. Then I'd have called the police.
Definitely wouldn't have mashed an old lady's head into the ground.

One question that hasn't been asked... how the F did she get into the house? Are they in the habit of leaving the door unlocked at night?
 
Me, I would have backed off and made it clear that she was trespassing. Then I'd have called the police.
Definitely wouldn't have mashed an old lady's head into the ground.

One question that hasn't been asked... how the F did she get into the house? Are they in the habit of leaving the door unlocked at night?
Yes, the door was unlocked. I don't know but maybe they forgot to lock it?
 
Yup, people do all sorts when they're drunk. Everyone who drinks has woken up next morning with that oh noooo... feeling.
Normally you've thrown up in the car park or done that happy dance. You're a fool but no harm done.
Maybe time to cut down though.
 
Somebody help me out here: how common is it to check into a B&B without being greeted by someone, shown around the place, etc.? I'm sure it happens in this internet age, but the whole scenario seems very "off" to me.
 
Somebody help me out here: how common is it to check into a B&B without being greeted by someone, shown around the place, etc.? I'm sure it happens in this internet age, but the whole scenario seems very "off" to me.
She probably checked in earlier before going out drinking.
 
She probably checked in earlier before going out drinking.
That's what I thought at first, but the story said "Mrs Barnes had been out drinking with friends and had been planning to stay at a B&B on Marine Parade, where Redfern lived." This implies she had not checked in yet. It could be bad phrasing, though.

I'm also confused by the fact that the story said she went straight to bed, but "Redfern told the jury when he and his fiancée came into the room, they found Mrs Barnes sitting up in their bed drinking gin and tonic with her false teeth on the bedside table." The gin and tonic would certainly be proved or disproved by evidence at the scene, and if this was true (and we accept as unlikely that she carried the drink into the house with her) then there is the implication that she found the liquor cabinet, made herself a drink, and settled down rather than stumbling to the bed. The wrong-house mistake sounds less likely.
 
That's what I thought at first, but the story said "Mrs Barnes had been out drinking with friends and had been planning to stay at a B&B on Marine Parade, where Redfern lived." This implies she had not checked in yet. It could be bad phrasing, though.
Yes, a bit hard to tell exactly.
The wrong-house mistake sounds less likely.
What do you think happened then?
 
I can't work out how she didn't realise it was an ordinary house and not a B & B.
 
Yes, a bit hard to tell exactly.

What do you think happened then?
I can't work out how she didn't realise it was an ordinary house and not a B & B.
Already drunk, she probably staggered in without noticing anything amiss.

I feel strange saying this about a 71-year-old woman, but being only a few days shy of becoming a somewhat immature 65-year-old man, I guess I can get away with the following speculation. (And it is no more than speculation.)

She was out drinking and got very inebriated. She walked or took a cab to the vicinity of her B&B. The homes and guest houses on that street are all very similar looking, and each is part of a large block of attached houses, so making an initial misidentification is understandable. She opened the door and found no one inside.

Here's where speculation kicks into high gear. Much like many of us experienced in our younger days, the alcohol affected her inhibitions, perception, and judgment. Probably realizing at the moment that something was wrong, and that she was likely in the wrong place - but possibly unable to hold onto that thought - in a semi-fantasizing daze and perhaps a playful mood she fixed herself a drink and went to bed, oblivious of her responsibility in invading the home.

Redfern and his fiancée came home and were understandably shocked to find a stranger in their bed. They reacted appropriately at first, as did Mrs. Barnes, but clearly Redfern went much farther than necessary to handle the situation.
 
Here's where speculation kicks into high gear. Much like many of us experienced in our younger days, the alcohol affected her inhibitions, perception, and judgment. Probably realizing at the moment that something was wrong, and that she was likely in the wrong place - but possibly unable to hold onto that thought - in a semi-fantasizing daze and perhaps a playful mood she fixed herself a drink and went to bed, oblivious of her responsibility in invading the home.
Sounds plausible.
 
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/at...ulton-county-jail/EAVSHPQT3VBVZFPZ46Y26SUB7U/

Sheriff responds to claims inmate was eaten alive by bed bugs inside Fulton County Jail
By WSBTV.com News Staff

Sheriff responds to claims inmate was eaten alive by bed bugs inside Fulton County Jail The family’s lawyer is calling for a criminal investigation and for a new Fulton County Jail to be built.

ATLANTA — The family of a man who died in the Fulton County Jail says he was eaten alive in his cell by bed bugs and insects.

Now, the family’s lawyer is calling for a criminal investigation and a new Fulton County Jail to be built.

The family gathered outside the Fulton County courthouse on Thursday to demand accountability in the death of Lashawn Thompson, 35. He died in September after a three-month stay at the jail.

Photos provided by the family’s lawyer show a jail cell in deplorable condition and pictures of Thompson’s body – of his face and torso covered with bugs. Thompson was arrested last June for simple battery, a misdemeanor. Attorney Michael Harper said Thompson was diagnosed with schizophrenia but was physically healthy when booked into jail.

“There is no excuse for a mentally ill inmate to be left alone in a jail, abandoned to die,” Harper said. The medical examiner reported Thompson’s cause of death as “undetermined.”

“They did nothing to help him. Nothing. They found him dead in his cell, lying there infested with bed bugs and lice. And that’s what killed him,” Harper said.

Thompson’s brother, Brad McCrae, said the family was horrified to see the photos. “It was heartbreaking because nobody should be seen like that. Nobody should see that,” McCrae said.

The family is calling for a criminal investigation of the death and to replace the Fulton County Jail.

A spokesperson for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the jail, sent Channel 2 Action News a written response saying a “full investigation was launched” into the circumstances surrounding Thompson’s death.

“First and foremost, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend condolences to the family Lashawn Thompson.

“The manner and cause of death was listed as ‘undetermined’ by the county medical examiner. A full investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Thompson’s death. As a part of that ongoing investigation, immediate action was taken, including but not limited to:

• approving an additional expenditure of $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail which was done in addition to prior cleaning operations targeting communicable diseases that are common in congregant settings and

• updating protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions

“The ongoing investigation is examining details regarding the medical care provided and ultimately will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in this case.

“The health, well-being and security of inmates in our care is our top priority. It’s no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff. That is precisely why Sheriff Labat continues to call building a new Fulton County Jail and Criminal Justice Complex which will provide an elite level of care, mental health services, security and cleanliness.”
 
What?? You don't lock your doors?
We double lock our apartment door, lock the front door, and still manage to have break-ins!
Probably not comparing like with like. It won't be everyone round here that doesn't lock their doors, but it's not uncommon. Some even see locking the doors as insulting to the neighbours. Round here if you aren't seen for a few days you are likely to find someone in your kitchen calling out to see if you are OK. This has actually happened to me.

I daresay the real world will intrude at some point, but actually I'm pretty glad it hasn't so far. If I lived in a city I'd take the same precautions as you. And in any case due to a family dispute I do now lock the doors, at least at night.
 
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