Should they attend the funerals?

[hc4361]

I'm in two minds. They are innocent until proven guilty so of course they should go.
On the other hand, their attendance will turn it in to to a media circus with a very high security risk to them both.

http://www.dailymail....e-accused-murder.html

[Kiki-frog]

That's a tough one. Surely every parent must have the right to grieve for their dead children. Even if they may or may not have been implicated in those deaths - and remember, we don't know the facts yet. But the media circus will indeed be over the top, with photographers and tv cameras everywhere.

On the whole, I think they shouldn't go. Simply because those poor children need to be shown some respect and laid to rest with peace and dignity.

[hc4361]

I'm very glad it is not my job to decide.

If it were, I think I'd insist on a low key, unpublicised funeral where the media knew nothing about it, and let them go.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd be more inclined to ban the media circus. If they wish to be a part of it then I think the State should allow them to do so safely; they will know the interest it would generate.

[Kiki-frog]

Banning the media circus would be the perfect solution. I wonder if that could be accomplished, though?

[hc4361]

Not just the media though. There are lot of people 'out to get them'.

[Brenden]

They are a joke, six separate horse drawn hearses - which would be lovely - but who is paying for it - neither of them work. Inclined to agree with hc, low key, unpublicised - should they attend - I just don't know.

[Baldric]

If they are found to be guilty they should be buried with them

[Brenden]

Hear hear Baldric.

[sandyRoe]

Have they been remanded in custody? If so, how could they attend?

[ttfn]

I read a report a couple of days ago that a fund to pay the expenses already had reached £10k.

[NOX]

Hang on why are we even having this debate, they have been accused, they have not been convicted of anything and in my opinion every parent has the right to grieve for their dead child and for that child's funeral to be however the family want it. Imagine the unimaginable- they are innocent- how would it be then? Ban the paper's all you like, but it would be immoral to ban the children's parents at this point.

[furrypusscat]

They were remanded in custody. No applications for bail. Should have thought if bail applied for would have been refused if for nothing else, their own safety although can't be that safe in jail. As ttfn stated, public donations reached £10000 plus to cover funeral costs.

[jno]

what Nox says (as usual). Suppose you ban them, then they're found not guilty. Anyone going to feel good about that?

[anneasquith]

would they be allowed to attend, if they are in custody?

[sandyRoe]

They'd have to apply to a court to be released on compassionate bail.

[anneasquith]

i respect the views, innocent until proven guilty, but do we really think the police have arrested them by mistake ?

[furrypusscat]

In the eyes of the law, 'innocent until proven guilty' but have either or both admitted any part in the arson/murder charge leading to the deaths of the children, only the police/legal professions know that. If the answer to that is'yes' then I doubt they would be allowed anyway.

[pdq1]

They both decided not to apply for bail. Maybe if they are freed from prison there may be nutters about who already think they're guilty and take revenge.

[hc4361]

Exactly, pdq

If they are innocent they have suffered the most dreadful wrong from so called vigilantes.

I don't know if they are guilty or not. All I know is in the UK we are innocent until found guilty. On that basis it would be very wrong to prevent them from attending the funeral

[ladybirder]

I think the funerals should be held quietly, in private, family only, in the evening and they should go. Even if they are found guilty I don't actually think they MEANT to kill their children. And no way is that me excusing them BTW.