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Woods murder police 'held séance' | Woods murder police 'held séance' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police investigating the murder of a Dundee woman attended a séance in an attempt to find her killer, a former senior detective has told a court. | Police investigating the murder of a Dundee woman attended a séance in an attempt to find her killer, a former senior detective has told a court. |
Norman Robertson said officers visited a medium's house the month after Elizabeth McCabe's body was found in Templeton Woods in 1980. | Norman Robertson said officers visited a medium's house the month after Elizabeth McCabe's body was found in Templeton Woods in 1980. |
But he told the High Court in Edinburgh: "I never thought this was a worthwhile line of inquiry." | But he told the High Court in Edinburgh: "I never thought this was a worthwhile line of inquiry." |
Vincent Simpson, 61, of Camberley, Surrey, denies Ms McCabe's murder. | Vincent Simpson, 61, of Camberley, Surrey, denies Ms McCabe's murder. |
Her body was found in the woods on the outskirts of Dundee in February 1980, on the eve of her 21st birthday. | Her body was found in the woods on the outskirts of Dundee in February 1980, on the eve of her 21st birthday. |
Subdued lighting | Subdued lighting |
Mr Robertson, a 58-year-old retired detective superintendent, said officers visited a "trance medium" in Dundee in March that year. | Mr Robertson, a 58-year-old retired detective superintendent, said officers visited a "trance medium" in Dundee in March that year. |
He said the move showed that police were looking into every possible avenue of inquiry. | He said the move showed that police were looking into every possible avenue of inquiry. |
Mr Robertson, who was a detective constable at the time, said there had been subdued lighting. | Mr Robertson, who was a detective constable at the time, said there had been subdued lighting. |
The officers had held hands, although not in an "affectionate" way. | The officers had held hands, although not in an "affectionate" way. |
I can say it was never considered to be a serious line of inquiry Norman Robertson | I can say it was never considered to be a serious line of inquiry Norman Robertson |
"I can recollect, possibly, at some time the woman was induced through some form of hypnosis to go to a spirit guide who took her to another area," he said. | "I can recollect, possibly, at some time the woman was induced through some form of hypnosis to go to a spirit guide who took her to another area," he said. |
The medium then gave information which he did not think had any bearing on the case. | The medium then gave information which he did not think had any bearing on the case. |
"I can say it was never considered to be a serious line of inquiry," added Mr Robertson. | "I can say it was never considered to be a serious line of inquiry," added Mr Robertson. |
He said the séance did not last long because the woman was unable to continue her "charade". | He said the séance did not last long because the woman was unable to continue her "charade". |
Earlier, Mark Stewart QC, defending, accused the police of "extremely sloppy methods" during their investigation. | Earlier, Mark Stewart QC, defending, accused the police of "extremely sloppy methods" during their investigation. |
'Sloppy practice' | 'Sloppy practice' |
Retired detective constable Joe Springett, 54, was asked about a diary in which Mr Simpson's hires from his private taxi business were noted. | Retired detective constable Joe Springett, 54, was asked about a diary in which Mr Simpson's hires from his private taxi business were noted. |
Mr Stewart said the label which should have been attached to the diary, showing which officers had seized it and when, was missing. | Mr Stewart said the label which should have been attached to the diary, showing which officers had seized it and when, was missing. |
"The difficulty we have got is sloppy practice," said Mr Stewart. Mr Springett agreed the label should have been attached. | "The difficulty we have got is sloppy practice," said Mr Stewart. Mr Springett agreed the label should have been attached. |
Mr Stewart also accused officers of trying to bully his client during long interrogations. | Mr Stewart also accused officers of trying to bully his client during long interrogations. |
She did not appear to have struggled for her life Professor Anthony Busuttil | |
The trial heard that Mr Simpson was questioned over several hours on consecutive days at Dundee's police headquarters. | The trial heard that Mr Simpson was questioned over several hours on consecutive days at Dundee's police headquarters. |
The questioning took place two months before a change in the law limited the time police could hold a suspect to six hours. | The questioning took place two months before a change in the law limited the time police could hold a suspect to six hours. |
Former pathologist Harry Leadbitter, 68, told the trial that a post-mortem examination showed Ms McCabe had died from asphyxia caused by compression of her neck. | Former pathologist Harry Leadbitter, 68, told the trial that a post-mortem examination showed Ms McCabe had died from asphyxia caused by compression of her neck. |
The court also heard from Professor Anthony Busuttil, 61, who was asked to carry out "an impartial and up-dated review" of the earlier findings after police reopened the case in 2005. | |
Fatal results | |
He said there were no defensive injuries on Ms McCabe's body, adding: "She did not appear to have struggled for her life. | |
"Death would have been quite sudden, if not instant, and it was the result of so-called vagal inhibition." | |
He said pressure in the wrong place could affect the vagus nerve with fatal results. | |
Prof Busuttil said it was possible that she had been killed by "something that happened which caused her to die during a struggle or during a sex act". | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |