The evening prior to the shootings

[Tim Invictus]

Excellent posts folks.

Colin stated it was utterly preposterous that June and Neville would have suggested fostering out his children as he had custody of them and would never have entertained any such plans. That is a pure Bamber smoke screen.

Bamber losing his cottage to Sheila is quite possibly the final trigger that set him off on his murder spree that he had contemplated for months. Remember Bamber had tried to get Sheila to handle some bullets sometime prior to the murders to get her fingerprints on them! 

[adam]

On 4 August 1985, three days before the murders, Sheila took the boys to spend a week at the Bamber farm. The farm's housekeeper saw Sheila that day but noticed nothing unusual about her, she was also observed the following day with her children by two farm workers, Julie and Leonard Foakes, who said she appeared quite herself and happy.

It seems that an argument developed at the farm on the evening prior to the murders. The farm secretary, Barbara Wilson, stated in evidence that she had telephoned the farmhouse at 9.30 pm that evening and spoke to Nevill. She said he was short with her and this had left her with the impression that she had interrupted an argument. Pamela Boutflour, June Bamber's sister, also telephoned the house that evening at about 10 pm. She spoke to Sheila, who she said was quiet, then to June, who seemed normal.

It has been suggested that Nevill and June had made a suggestion to Sheila that evening which would effectively see her return home from London to the cottage at Goldhanger which was then occupied by Jeremy. Was Jeremy present at that discussion, was this the straw that broke the camels back?

The rest as they say is history.

Jeremy testified that Sheila was non responsive when the alleged fostering conversation occurred.

Jeremy had a terrible relationship with his parents. So quite possible he had an argument that night. He told Julie at 10am he was 'pissed off'. The rest is history.

[adam]

My view is there was no argument. If there was it was with Jeremy, (see post above) which motivated him further to carry out his plan.

Sheila was non responsive to the alleged fostering conversation Jeremy testified. The twins being in bed.

Jeremy's sole reason to go into the kitchen where the parents he hated were, was to load the gun and put it somewhere within easy reach for later.

I believe he went outside to shoot rabbits. Although he had not seen any. Otherwise Neville would wonder why he was loading the rifle.

His mind was now seriously considering that 'tonights the night'. He would not want to distract his thoughts by having a domestic.

[guinness]

totally agree Adam - you have it spot on.