Poppy - have you served on a Jury ?

I have. I have had to balance two conflicting expert's evidence. Juries do that all the time. They weigh the credibility of the evidence and the credibility of the witness.

In this case, the pathologist who believed Mr Tomlinson died from natural causes was never told of the assault and his credibility could be open to question if he still stuck to his original view in open court, notwithstanding that 2 other pathologists (including one appointed by the Police Officer) maintain Mr Tomlinson died from his injuries - internal bleeding. In our system a jury is quite capable of weighing the conflicting evidence. I would imagine that questions would be asked on why the Police didn't let the Pathologist Mr Freddie Patel know about the assault and indeed why the Police recommended to the Coroner the choice of Mr Patel as pathologist in the first place given his reputation.

I understand that Mr Patel, is to be struck off the Home Office list for pathologists because of lack of competence. A Jury may therefore find he lacks credibility and that would be brought out in open court.

Of course Mr Starmer made this decision himself, for his own reasons, and for now the case has not been put to a jury. However, I understand the family are trying to raise the funds to mount a private prosecution in order to get justice for their father.

If i were the Government/Police senior management I would be praying that they the family are able to do this as I really believe that the criminal justice system will be dealt a heavy blow if yet again there is no trial. Remember 1,000 people have died in Police custody without a single man or woman being convicted - the majority of these deaths the Police are not culpable, but i find it difficult to believe that in all cases the police have acted without culpability.

I have no axe to grind - against the Police - i fully support them, but only if they get rid of bad apples.

Mr Tomlinson's family, PC Harwood and Freddie Patel - none of them have had their day in court in order to clear their name or otherwise. That can't be a satisfactory situation.