I can say with certainty, that if it were someone I had know for two years and had no reason to believe he was responsible, I'd have told them where to go. But not only did they get JM to go along with it, thay manage another three? Isn't it just another case of everone except Jeremy telling lies?
Why wouldn't they lie if EP sold them the idea JB was responsible plus they saved themselves from a criminal record in the process? Would JM, SB, LR and JR want to think of a mass murderer and child killer walking away with his parents estate?
Plus if any nagging doubt existed, I believe you have a degree in psychology so you will no doubt be familiar with Stanley Milgram's famous experiment on the conflict between obedience to authority and personal conscience:
"Stanley Milgram's experiments on obedience to authority are among the most important psychological studies of this century. Perhaps because of the enduring significance of the findings—the surprising ease with which ordinary persons can be commanded to act destructively against an innocent individual by a legitimate authority—it continues to claim the attention of psychologists and other social scientists, as well as the general public. This study continues to inspire valuable research and analysis."