Editing James Watson
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Over the next 22 years, the case was reviewed twice. On neither occasion was unidentified DNA on Rikki's clothes tested. Much of the evidence was destroyed in a fire, including Rikki's clothes. However, a third case review was launched in 2016. The theory that Ruth Neave was the killer was finally disproved by soil samples on Rikki's shoes which proved Rikki had walked into the woods and evidence that he had had breakfast on the day of his murder, meaning he must have been killed on 28 November. DNA samples were finally tested, having been obtained from the envelope in which the clothes were kept during the investigation. The DNA was a one-in-a-billion match for James Watson, who was arrested. He was released on bail on 20 April, after which he fled to Portugal. He contacted his probation officer from Portugal but remained there until he was arrested in August and extradited back to Britain. | Over the next 22 years, the case was reviewed twice. On neither occasion was unidentified DNA on Rikki's clothes tested. Much of the evidence was destroyed in a fire, including Rikki's clothes. However, a third case review was launched in 2016. The theory that Ruth Neave was the killer was finally disproved by soil samples on Rikki's shoes which proved Rikki had walked into the woods and evidence that he had had breakfast on the day of his murder, meaning he must have been killed on 28 November. DNA samples were finally tested, having been obtained from the envelope in which the clothes were kept during the investigation. The DNA was a one-in-a-billion match for James Watson, who was arrested. He was released on bail on 20 April, after which he fled to Portugal. He contacted his probation officer from Portugal but remained there until he was arrested in August and extradited back to Britain. | ||
Despite the DNA evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service refused to charge Watson. He remained at large until 2020, when an appeal against the decision by Ruth Neave ruled there was a reasonable prospect of conviction. Watson was charged with murder. He claimed in his defence that he had walked with Rikki into the woods but had left him alive; the DNA, Watson claimed, had been from where he had lifted him up so he could see over a fence. This claim was demolished when the prosecution proved the fence had not been there in 1994. Watson was ultimately convicted on 21 April 2022 and | Despite the DNA evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service refused to charge Watson. He remained at large until 2020, when an appeal against the decision by Ruth Neave ruled there was a reasonable prospect of conviction. Watson was charged with murder. He claimed in his defence that he had walked with Rikki into the woods but had left him alive; the DNA, Watson claimed, had been from where he had lifted him up so he could see over a fence. This claim was demolished when the prosecution proved the fence had not been there in 1994. Watson was ultimately convicted on 21 April 2022 and faces life in prison. | ||
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