Maxine Carr

[Ember]

Now the Court Case is over and sentence has been passed, I am curious to know if anyone has just a smidgen of sympathy for Maxine Carr. I personally think she had no idea Ian Huntley was guilty as has now come to light and was just protecting (as she mistakenly thought) an innocent person?

[Quizmonster]

I totally agree, PG and suspect that it was only a decision about her that took the jury so long to reach a verdict. Huntley's guilt should have been clear after about ten minutes of discussion. The reason they ended up with majority verdicts was probably because of some jury-member who saw him/herself in the Henry Fonda part in "Twelve Angry Men"!

[Greedyfly]

I don't sympathise with her one bit, she must have known about his past or at least suspected considering all the allegations made.

[andy hughes]

I feel on balance that Maxine Carr has been foolish and naiive, rather than deliberately deceptive. It would appear from released reports that Huntley was used to manipulating and subverting vilnerable women, and she appears to be one more. She will have a lifetime to ponder the results of her actions.

[DuzyEverwork]

I have a smidgen of sympathy for Maxine Carr as Ian Huntley is now behind bars (where he no doubt belongs) and will live life in a secure wing so as not to be 'got at' by other prisoners but I am sure will not have an easy ride from the warders (all as it should be), but Maxine Carr IF indeed she was innocent and just plain mis-guided will carry her involvement with her after her release to the grave. She is a distinctive looking woman and will never be able to achieve a life of obscurity and as such will be punished by society forever. There will always be a 'no smoke without fire' element.

[paulz]

not really, she had ample time to speak out & chose not to. Now it looks likely she'll be given a new identity and place to live - here or abroad. What price justice?

[molly]

I am not condoning what she did, but I agree that she was very naiive. She strikes me as being completely under his thumb and he probably bullied her into lying for him. She seems to have been exactly the kind of person Huntly would go for - someone easily dominated and with a low self esteem ( don't foget she also suffered from anorexia ) I think her sentence was fair and I feel sorry that this will no doubt dog her after she is released and for the rest of her life. She did after all confess when she realised he had actually done it and long before it came to court.

[Ember]

Thank you all for your input, yes I think you are all thinking along the same lines as me except Greedyfly and I respect his opinion. I do think Huntley controlled and manipulated her and I get the feeling she was scared of what he would do if she went against his instructions. However, like you say she has to live with her part of this tragedy. My heart goes out to those wonderful parents.

[Janetex]

Hmm, maybe only in that she is a weak person - weak people are very dangerous.

[Janetex]

AND parents like that make my blood boil! My heart goes out to the children they placed in fatal danger.

[brawburd]

Janetex - what parents are you referring to?

[Greedyfly]

Greedyfly is a lady- and why would you sympathy with a woman who has been an alibi many times to a child molesting rapist?

[Ember]

Lady Greedyfly, When I asked the original question it was immediately after the verdict on the trial. It has since come to light that Maxine Carr covered for Huntley before and this has certainly altered my view of her, but I still really cannot believe she knew he had killed those girls, mind you as we saw in her interview she is a most convincing liar, its a good job the police and the courts are in charge of these things and not people like myself who can only judge on what we read. No doubt this argument will go on and on but at the end of the day if procedures are tightened up and just one child is saved that will be to the good.

[Greedyfly]

all we can hope is that they Both get what they deserve!

[Maudlettice]

Just to comment upon QM's answer at the beginning. The verdict of murder was not unanimous but on an 11/1 majority - one juror could not be convinced that Huntley had murdered. The verdict on Carr was unanimous.

[coemgen]

I am saddened and appalled that the reaction to Maxine Carr from the public has been so overtly intolerant. This was a woman who was extremely close to the 2 girls. Maxine Carr did not kill those girls Huntley did. So she covered for him, if I had been in her place and my husband was being questioned I would have done exactly the same. Why? Because no one imagines for one moment that the person they are living with is capable of murdering kids. People say "She must have known" How? What are the signs that your partner is a killer? This poor woman has been punished enough. She has struggled with anorexia and beatings at Huntley's hands. Oh and before anyone says that that in itself was a clue, I'd like to point out that there are many men who batter women, however this doesn't mean that they are potential child killers. I wish Maxine Carr all the best for the future and if there was a fund for helping her start a new life abroad I'd donate a hefty sum.

[mizle2001]

she was a victim of huntley and a victim of our pathetic justice system

[Upforit]

Before I comment, I would like to make it clear I do not condone, by action or omission, child cruelty or abuse in any form. But I thought Maxine Carr probably knew nothing about Huntley, and that if she suspected anything, she (mistakenly, in my view) would not allow herself to acknowledge her doubt because she was in love with Huntley.We have all made mistakes and poor judgements in the name of love. Fortunately, they usually result in pain for ourselves not others. I am not normally a forgiving person and do not suffer fools gladly. But I think this is one case where a little forgiveness and understanding is appropriate. Maxine was foolish, rather than malicious.

[marmaduke]

I have every sympathy for Maxine Carr. I just wish I could meet her and show her I support her, and tell her that I'm totally behind her and cannot stand all the absolutely nonsensical death-threats and more from the retards of this country. It must be absolute hell for her, having to go from 'safe'-house to safe-house. I also have some sympathy for Myra Hindley, but that's not to detract from my (greater) sympathy for Maxine Carr.

[loggy01]

I had every sympathy for her, but tonight I have found out that she is living in our Oxfordshire village, and as we have three small children, it does change one's view of her and make you think.