How do you lose witness testimony?

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:06 am

I was reading some old posts, and one was very interesting. The post was posted by Harry onSaturday July 17, 2004. The first line states: " In a previous thread Lyddie, in part, asked 'What happened to Bridget's statement at the inquest? Her answers to questions immediately after the crime? How did they lose an entire witness statement?'"

I have to ask the very same question and some more. Were the police that inadequate? Did they forget or not bother to write the statements down? Were they confused, didn't know what to do, or both?

Yooper · Post by **Yooper** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:53 am

I've wondered about that myself. Enough care was exercised to retain the rest of the testimony intact, why were Bridget's and Lizzie's inquest statements the only ones to disappear? The only reason we have Lizzie's inquest statements is due to a reporter's notes.

Lizzie's inquest statements were potentially the most effective evidence against her, so if we contend that they were "lost" on purpose, what was in Bridget's testimony that was equally damning?

xyjw · Post by **xyjw** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:43 pm

I don't know much about courtroom procedure but where did the testimonies go after the court stenographer recorded them? It is pretty interesting that those are the only testimonies missing from from the inquest testimonies. And the information from the inquest was enough to cause Lizzie's arrest.

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:15 am

That's a great question,xyjw! I think I am going to have to find out. I'd like to know where they go after the stenographer records them.