Bradford killings

[123everton]

This is a terrible event and I feel there's a lot we've yet to hear about the police's case against the accused, but, I had to wonder at the superfluous comments in today's Metro, a local shop keeper said that he "seemed a little weird, he'd come in and say hello, buy a few things and then leave" also that he wore "goth type" clothes, apparently he spent all his spare time on the internet and his flat seemed a little grimey.
Yes some very weird behaviour, like a whole load of people who never gave him a second thought will now go around saying how well they knew him and that they always thought he was strange.
Before you know it he'll have entered local folklore (like the Bulger killers) with various acts of unreported fiendishness.
I often walk into shops, say hello, buy a few things and leave, I do go on the internet every now and again, I don't wear goth type clothing but I haven't dusted this week, should I expect a knock at the door?
Why couldn't the journalists do some proper research and tell us what he's been doing with himself for the l;ast 40 years?
Rather than trot out nonsense.

[NUFC324]

As always it's lazy journalism. They know there's a story there but know nothing about it, instead they'll write some utter crap that everyone will have already seen on the tv.

[boxtops]

I've only seen brief news as I've been away, but what's being reported on Sky is that he was a mature student studying for a PHD on serial killers. It didn't say anything about his shopping habits - this sounds like the Metro grasping at straws.

[jno]

I should think they will, but you can't research 40 years of behaviour in a day. I'd imagine there's a good chance there will be a lot more in the Sunday papers, as reporters there have all week to work on a single story. But in the meantime all they can get is kneejerk reactions from the first people they find to speak to.

Actually, wearing goth clothing is unusually specific. Usually neighbours just say 'He was a quiet sort, kept himself to himself...'

[sara3]

they can probably only publish chit-chat, as he's not been convicted yet.

[craft1948]

I knew a guy who murdered someone in the 1980's and he wasn't weird at all. Quite a sociable enough bloke, with a bit of a drink problem, some people didn't like him but he was always okay to me, so I don't think having to be weird comes into it.

[123everton]

I also feel that they should stop referring to him as the crossbow canibal, if that's how he wishes to be referred too, then tough, call him by his proper name to deny him the notoriety he seems to crave.
If they don't know enough about his previous life then say nothing, it may prejudice the case if they write something that's wrong, my problem with the goth reference is that there's a certain class of moron who view all goths as weird, such reporting is grist to their mill.
In my experience goths are more sinned against than sinners.

[anotheoldgit]

I haven't heard how the police caught up with him.

[daffy654]

The only reason he gave his name as the crossbow cannibal was to make himself seem legally insane, therefore meaning he would get a sentence to a secure hospital rather than prison.