A wrongful conviction and the hidden truth in Rochdale (Part 2/2) | Forensic Files

on November 26 2010 a mother was faced with her worst nightmare in a small town on the Michigan Ohio border three boys
went missing Andrew Alexander and Tanner Skelton were with their father for the Thanksgiving holiday he was supposed to
drop them off at their mother's the next day that didn't happen and she hasn't seen her son since that was almost a
decade ago and we still have no answers on what the father did with these kids hear the whole story and find out why
investigators are closer than ever to solving this case listen to shattered a Black Friday podcast wherever you listen
to podcasts [Music] our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents if you feel at
anytime you need support please contact your local crisis center for suggested phone numbers for confidential support
please see the show notes for this episode on your app or on our website today's episode deals with a crime
committed against the child that won't be suitable for all listeners 9 year old Sarah not her real name left her home in
the turf Hill estate to meet her best friend she lived a short walk from Leslie mal Said's family on Delamere
Road and - both girls had gone to the same school the day was July 3rd 1976 into the fear that plagued Rochdale in
the wake of Leslie's noda had long since faded child killer Stefan kishka was in
custody his trial would begin in four days time doors were left unlocked and children were allowed out unsupervised
again life had returned to normal in the semi-industrial end of Rochdale was of oversaw Street a gray brick road encased
by rod stiles trademark terraces it was a quiet lonely street with minimal traffic Sarah would often meet there
with her friend to play on this occasion the two chased each other in a game of tag
a red taxi pulled into the street and crawled along the curb rolling to a stop beside the girls inside the vehicle was
a lone male driver Sara didn't give him a second thought assuming the taxi was hailed by a
neighborhood appear any second it wasn't until the driver emerged from the vehicle that a girl sensed something was
wrong he was walking toward them not the house when he got to arm's length he lunged her friend managed to flee the
Sara was grabbed and forced into the taxi after he slammed the door shut she reached for the handle but it was
locked the attacker left into the driver's seat and in seconds the taxi was speeding away Sara yelled over and
over I want to go home let me go each time her attacker responded no you're not going
he drove through Rochdale suburban streets with clear familiarity pulling up near a park at a derelict and B house
Sarah was quickly forced inside half an hour into the attack Sarah violently kicked the man in the leg he
faltered and she took the split-second opportunity to escape Sarah ran home and told her mother what had happened
Rochdale police were called immediately suffering severe trauma Sarah had difficulty remembering the exact details
of what happened in the house she did recall her attacker exposed his genitals and masturbated there was no evidence of
penetrative sexual attack but semen staining was found on her clothing she described her attacker as Caucasian
Ariana 30 years old with a stocky build and receding ginger red hair Sarah climbed into a police car with her
mother and took officers along the route the taxi had driven as they drove beyond
turf Hills narrow leafy streets she sprung up anxiously the red taxi was right there on the road in front of them
in the front seat was the ginger-haired suspect police swooped in nine days later on July 12 Sara's
attacker was brought before Rochdale Magistrates Court he pled guilty to indecent assault and incitement to
commit an act of gross indecency for his brazen and traumatic crime he was only ordered to pay a fallen of fifty pounds
he left the court of freemen this attack bore a chilling resemblance to the Leslie mole seed attack which had
occurred almost nine months earlier both were young girls residents of the turf Hill estate who were snatched off
Rochdale streets within a few kilometers of each other they were both taken to a
secluded location and sexually assaulted in an identical manner that almost seemed to unique to be just a
coincidence had Sara not taken the chance to escape both crimes may have ended the same way but no connection was
made between the two attacks they couldn't be connected police had already caught Lesley Marseille to kill
[Laughter] [Music] behind bars Stefan Kisco was the lowest of the low a convicted pedophile who murdered his
victim despised by the prison population they taunted and threatened him constantly
soon after arriving he was set upon by a group of inmates in another attack he was struck on the head with a mock
handle needing stitches even the prison chapel wasn't safe there Stefan was punched in the face he
received a little sympathy from prison staff who put the blame on Stefan noting he was being difficult
he was often placed in segregation for his own safety in May 1978 nearly two years after his murder conviction Stefan
Kish goes legal team launched an appeal they push to get Stefan's conviction downgraded from murder to manslaughter
on the grounds of diminished responsibility Lord Justice Nigel bridge ruled quote we can find no grounds
whatsoever to condemn the jury's verdict of murder as in any way unsafe or unsatisfactory the appeal is dismissed
in prison Stefan's mental state deteriorated diagnosed with depression paranoia and emotional instability he'd
often withdraw into a catatonic like silence he struggled to think or act independently
eventually he refused food and soiled himself as punishment he was sent to the strip cell where he had little else but
a concrete slab for a bed years passed and Stefan's mind drifted further from reality showing signs of schizophrenic
delusions he spoke of hearing coded messages through the radio and obsessed over the numbers 5 & 8 the fifth was the
day Leslie disappeared the eighth was the day her body was found Stefan believed he was part of a
government experiment at his lowest point he suspected his own mother was in on the scheme prison doctors had to
prescribe him tranquilizers to cope unless he admitted to the murder of Leslie mal seed Stefan knew he would
spend the rest of his life in prison parole officers and psychiatrists tried to coax a confession
they offered Stefan a sex offenders treatment program that would fast-track him to parole but Stefan refused the
offer psychiatrists concluded Stefan's mental instability and delusions allowed him to
maintain false ideas of innocence Sunday's were once predictable for Charlotte kishka
in the morning she rose early and attended mass afterwards she'd buy fresh flowers and take them to her husband's
grave at the Rochdale Cemetery Stefan was always with her Charlotte didn't drive so he drove her around town after
the cemetery they'd stop by a grocery store on Tweeddale Street which sold German food remaining Charlotte of her
childhood Charlotte always maintained that they did this weekly ritual on the Sunday that Leslie mole seed was
abducted behind her motherly warmness was a resolved tough as concrete Charlotte enjoyed charred wood in
nazi-occupied Slovenia then fled the Soviet Army setting course for England in Rochdale she picked up work at the
cotton mills it was tough work that took its toll but she persisted the community
saw her as a kind and intelligent woman she took pride in herself and her home where everyone was welcomed with open
arms and a glass of fortified wine despite her gentle disposition Charlotte had immense inner strength as she left
cord on the day of Stefan's conviction abuse was hurled at her but she remained firm in her belief that Stefan was
innocent twice a month Charlotte made the ATO a return bus trip from Rochdale to Wakefield prison she would have seen
Stefan more often if prison regulation allowed at first the Rochdale community viewed her with sympathy a naive mother
unwilling to face the harsh truth but it didn't take long for people to grow tired her incessant proclamations of
Stefan's innocence grated on them pity turned to resentment and Charlotte was ostracized
for over a decade charlotte campaigned to have her son's conviction reviewed stonewalled by police politicians the
prime minister and even the queen charlotte eventually contacted justice a uk-based human rights and more reform
organization from there she was put in touch with a manchester solicitor named campbell malone skeptical at first
malone was drawn to Charlotte's intensity and adamant that her son was innocent so he agreed to look into
Stefan's conviction malone expected that his investigation would reinforce the guilty verdict but it wasn't long before
he felt things weren't adding up he put together a small investigation team of two law students and a private eye
malone also sought help from philip clay the junior counsel for Stefan's defense
at trial clegg had lurking doubts that Stefan was guilty while Malone's team didn't find anything that absolved
Stefan they did discover errors made during his trial a worrying amount of circumstantial evidence was relied on as
conclusive proof and the most problematic for Stefan was an inadequate effort from his own legal defence team
to argue his innocence malone detailed his concerns in a petition urging that Stefan's case be reopened on October 26
1989 the file was sent to the Home Secretary where it languished for a year but Malone kept pushing hard for action
and finally his efforts paid off on November 26 1990 West Yorkshire Police detective Superintendent Trevor
Wilkinson was handed a file marked confidential on the front was the name Stefan kishka Wilkinson didn't work the
Mulsanne murder investigation but he knew other officers who did he had no reason to doubt the work of his
colleagues and friends if they reached the conclusion that Stefan kishka killed Leslie mole seed
then he must have done thumbing through the documents that looked like routine stuff a rehash of the investigation and
conviction Wilkinson conceded that the investigating police may have been heavy-handed in their approach to
illicit Stefan's confession but by that stage there was already enough evidence pointing to Stefan as the killer
Stefan's confession wasn't tape recorded only handwritten notes existed recording
wasn't legally required in 1975 without an arrest and Stefan had attended the police station voluntarily his arrest
came after he made his confession a break in questioning was the first time Stefan admitted to killing Leslie
Detective Sergeant John Ackroyd was the only officer supervising him at the time
without a recording to prove it Wilkinson had to take Ackroyd's word but he had since passed away the services of
an attorney were not offered to Stefan during his questioning but again it was only mandatory to do so after an arrest
there were no implications Stefan was mistreated by the investigating police and Stefan had made no formal complaint
regarding his treatment yet as Wilkinson continued to read Stefan's file he heard
a faint alarm bell ringing from the back of his mind inside the fall was a statement written
by Stefan's general practitioner dr. George de vars months prior to Leslie's murder
Stefan fractured his ankle he was also overweight and had an awkward gait in builted diverses opinion it would have
been near impossible for Stefan to scale the lay-by hillside dragging a child behind him as though as Lee's killer had
done dr. Davis was never called to give evidence at Stefan's trial [Music] Maria Baron had also provided a
statement to police Murray around the continental grocers on Tweeddale Street the Charlotte and
Stephan regularly visited to buy German food Charlotte was adamant she and Stefan were at the store at the time
Lesley was abducted during the murder investigation Maria actually confirmed Stefan's alibi but investigating police
told her she wouldn't be required to appear at Stefan's trial she found it strange but believed her statement was
enough after being told she wouldn't be needed at court Maria went ahead with holiday plans when Stefan's court
proceedings began the defense asked for someone from the store to testify but Maria was now overseas her daughter also
worked in the store so she appeared instead however Maria's daughter couldn't confirm Stefan's alibi
Maria's statement was never read in court for reasons unknown during the late stages of Stefan's trial a juror
informed the judge of a serious problem when the court was adjourned for lunch she overheard a conversation between
officials they were discussing how the defense counsel advised stephan to plead guilty
I do remember hearing misinformation was considered highly prejudicial and a conflict of interest she should have
been discharged from jury duty but she wasn't during the time of Leslie's disappearance two suspicious vehicles
were sighted in turf Hill Estate and who they were also spotted parked at the lay-by where Leslie was found one was a
cream-colored 1964 Vauxhall Viva the other a turquoise Morris Minor 1000 minivan the cars were
never identified and inquiries to find the owners ended the moment Stefan Kish Co was in custody Rossdale resident Emma
Tong saw a girl in the Vauxhall favour she knew as early mal Sade by sight and she was adamant the girl in the car was
Lesley Emma appeared at Stefan's trial the judge accepted her as an entirely honest and careful witness her testimony
was highly valuable in Stefan's defence as he drove a bronze Hillman Avenger the
judge told the jury that if they believed in his testimony then Stefan Kisch code must be acquitted however the
defense weren't given in a statement until day one of the trial there was no explanation why this information was not
disclosed to them earlier they were not given to properly investigate the cream Vauxhall Viva or the turquoise Morris
minivan Stephan's legal team could have and should have sort in a German to conduct
an investigation but they didn't the alarm bells were now deafening detective Trevor Wilkinson couldn't ignore them
anymore he compiled a small team of police officers whose integrity he trusted they were instructed to
reinvestigate Stefan Kish cows conviction solicitor Campbell Malone wrote to Stefan at Wakefield Prison to
give him the good news but Stefan's response was hollow he wrote back I hope you and the detectives
are getting somewhere Wilkinson's team visited Rochdale they walked to the route Leslie took from her
home to stay up slain the isolated alley where she was last seen from there they
drove to the Labour and scaled the hillside to the embankment with the greater more personal understanding of
Leslie's final journey Wilkinson and his team were ready to start ray interviewing witnesses
Emma Tong was now 82 years old and even after a decade and a half she was still certain a girl she saw in the Vauxhall
Viva that Sunday afternoon in 1975 was Leslie mal seed Christopher Coverdale was the only witness to say a man and a
girl on the lay-by the afternoon of October 5 1975 his description of the girl matched Leslie mal seed and he
described the man as plump between the ages of 30 and 35 with light brown or fair colored hair it wasn't a stretch to
link these descriptions to Stefan kishka Stefan was overweight looked older than
his age and had short brown hair Christopher also recalled that the man's hair was receding although Stefan wasn't
going bald he did have a large forehead which may have been misidentified as a receding hairline however Christopher
also described the men on the laborer as being about 5 foot 6 inches tall this was the big difference to Stefan
who had a towering six foot two inch frame dr. David Andersson was a hormone treatment specialist Stefan was referred
to him in late 1975 suffering from hypogonadism dr. Andersson prescribed Stefan primo testing a drug containing
testosterone supplied via injections every three weeks the prosecution argued that these injections resulted in overly
aggressive and sexual behavior leading to Lesley mal Seeds murder but dr. Andersson had spoken to both the
prosecution and defense prior to Stefan's trial he explained the Stefan's medication only exacerbated existing
aggressive tendencies it did not create them and Stefan was widely regarded as a
gentle joy a statement by dr. Andersson was read out at Stefan's trial but it was not called to testify he believed
this was because his views didn't serve either side the prosecution argued the drugs turned Stefan into a sex-crazed
murderer and that was an argument that suited the defense as a diminished Stefan's responsibility the dr.
Anderson's evidence proved them both wrong days before Leslie's abduction on the night of Friday October 3rd 1975 an
indecent exposure incident near the Kingsway Park youth club was recorded to police in his first since redacted
confession Stefan told police he was the men exposing himself to children that know however there was another
explanation for this event Morris home was out driving on the night of October 3rd when he urgently needed to urinate
it was late so his options were limited he pulled over and searched for somewhere private to relieve himself
believing the empty and shadowy parklands were ideal several girls stumbled across him they
saw his penis and ran away shrieking thinking no one would believe the truth Morris ran to his vehicle and left the
scene when a similar incident was linked to Stephon kishka Morris worried that it
was actually his incident that Stephan was being blamed for swallowing his fear and embarrassment Morris went to the
police they took a statement but it was never mentioned in Stefan's trial there were large discrepancies between Morris
Holmes statement and the young witnesses the girls involved made the situation sound alarming a man left out in front
of them dropped his pants exposed his penis and threatened something along the lines of come here and let me Ram this
up you was the incident a simple misunderstanding where a threatening sexual assault determined to find out
Wilkinson's team tracked down the girls involved Kathryn Burke was now 31 years old
Wilkinson's team was shocked when she openly admitted she lied in 1975 Katherine never saw him and exposed
himself and had never heard a threat pamela horn was now 33 years old Pamela had also lied she admitted she did not
see the man's penis she was only told about it she said she got carried away and went along with the
other girls reflecting on the untruthful accounts you gave police in 1975 p.m. Ella said it was foolish but we were
young and it was a confusing situation [Music] Pamela's false statement police about
the incident was read out in Stefan's trial it appeared Morris home statement was
true the girls just stumbled across him urinating Stephon Kish Co had nothing to
do with the youth club incident Wilkinson's team were keen to investigate the other indecent exposure
allegation made against stephan kishka it was the incident involving Maxine Buckley who became the star witness for
the prosecution in Kish Coast trial she positively identified Stephon as the man
who exposed himself to her and a friend in Vava sauce tree on October 4th 1975 she stated he appeared infront of them
opened his coat exposed these genitals then ran away Wilkinson's team now had serious doubts
about Maxine's story she described a man wearing a green Parker but Stefan didn't
own a green parka she said the man took off running did Stefan couldn't run due to his ankle
injury awkward gait and lack of fitness Maxine never spoke with Wilkinson's team
so they couldn't get to the bottom of her story Wilkinson's team then intricately picked
apart Stefan's confession Stefan had stated some facts that were only known to the most senior detectives working
the case this included unusual details such as no occurrence of rape Lesley's attacker ejaculated on the
outside of her underwear into the murder weapon was wiped clean on her body yet a woman was overheard discussing
these confidential facts in a public place while Leslie's murder investigation was still under way the
leak was traced to her husband a Rochdale police officer were still he was not even assigned to the case so if
he knew the details others would have known as well Stefan's interrogation lasted two days before he confessed
Stephan was asked hundreds of questions regarding the murder and there's a very likely possibility he shaped his
confession on details police revealed in their questioning when he came across information he didn't know Stephan would
say his memory was hazy other details he actually had completely wrong Stephan confessed he went hazy and stabbed
Leslie in the neck but Leslie's 12 wounds were centralized in her back The Smoking Gun that puts Stephan kishka at
the crime scene was written on a piece of paper police had found it in the glove box of his car Stephan recorded
the registration number of a vehicle that had passed the lay-by around the time of Leslie's abduction the
registration number was on a list of other registration numbers Stephan had written down but this one stood out
because it was written in red ink ADK 539 Oh Stefan couldn't explain why he'd written this registration number down
but he could explain all the others the original investigators believed he had written it down because he saw it past
the lay-by while he was there with Leslie Wilkinson's team found the person who owned the car in 1975 they offered
nothing new confirming they had driven past the lay-by around at the time Leslie was abducted
but Wilkinson's team went a step further they found the previous owner of the vehicle and this person proved crucial
the previous owner often parked in the same lot Stephan used for work and Stefan said he recorded registration
details of vehicles that bothered him maybe this vehicle had bothered Stefan in his work parking lot and he recorded
the registration plate long before the murder of Leslie mole seed Wilkinson's team had revealed a number
of failings in Stefan's trial there were errors and discrepancies in the vital information when ignored uninvestigated
or inadequately defended keen to take advantage of DNA testing advancements Wilkinson wanted to save Stefan was a
DNA match to the semen on lesli mal Said's clothes testing like this didn't exist in the 1970s and the result would
make or break Stefan's case prior to trial the semen found at the crime scene was determined to have come from an
infertile man and a Jew to his hypogonadism Stefan Kisco was infertile clothing Lesley mol seat wore the day of
her murder was destroyed in 1985 however samples of the semen were placed on five
microscopic slides Wilkinson's team visited the lab where the samples were stored only to find
that they were missing Wilkinson's hopes of conducting a DNA comparison were dashed
they had one avenue left though to sift through all the files and data from the original forensic tests to try and find
something worthwhile while studying the data they found a handwritten note on the edge of a page the note stated the
semen sample from the crime scene had a positive H sperm count although positive H is a link to team
fertility those with positive H still have sperm even if the count is very low yet testing proved Stefan had a sperm
count of zero Ronald outer Ridge was the lead forensic scientist for the mole seed murder
investigation now retired he agreed to meet with wilkinson when asked about the positive edge sperm count in the sample
from the crime scene Eider each became defensive the data also showed that forensics had
collected 14 microscopic slides of Stefan's semen sample it was clear his samples had been examined thoroughly and
repeatedly and each test proved his sperm count was zero Wilkinson believed outrage was urged by
the original investigators to keep testing Stefan's semen to try and find a trace of sperm that's why there were so
many samples when a der each failed he simply stated the sample from the crime scene was from an infertile man and
Stefan was an infertile man it wasn't a lie but it was a deception the semen sample from the crime scene was linked
to Dean fertility but it still had a sperm count Stefan's sperm count was zero adhiraj
did not the allegation he was deceptive with the result Wilkinson pressed him on other forensic
evidence connecting Stefan to the crime scene specifically fibers found on Leslie's
clothing that matched the carpet in Stefan's car add originated the fibers were not unique and other foreign fibers
found on Leslie's body were not linked to Stefan or his car also the Penton found at the crime scene that matched
pens used the Stefan's workplace was a standard common felt-tip pen there were no distinguishing features to prove a
belonged to Stefan Wilkinson's team compiled a 50 page report of their investigation cross-referencing three
large volumes of statements they were convinced that not only did Stefan kishka receive an unfair trial but he
was not Lesley mal Said's killer based on the evidence he should never have been charged an innocent man was
imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit Leslee mal Said's killer was still at large
thank you for listening to today's episode not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to listen to podcasts though
an estimated 5% of the world's population 432 million adults and 34 million children have disabling hearing
loss the Starkey Hearing Foundation provides hearing aids and hearing related health care to millions of
patients in over 100 countries empowering them to achieve their full potential Afghanistan Cambodia El
Salvador India and Peru are just a few of the countries where the Starkey Hearing Foundation has provided aid the
impact of hearing loss not only affects the individual but their family community country and of the world at
large this month Starkey Hearing Foundation and audio boom are launching the listening campaign and - they're
asking case file listeners to help them reach their $25,000 fundraising goal funds raised from the listening campaign
will support the next round of global outreach you can help Starkey Hearing Foundation reach their $25,000 goal by
donating to the listening campaign today to give the gift of hearing go to listen
in campaign org that's lis ta n ayan CA MP a ign.com campaign org to give the gift of hearing
today today's episode is brought to you by Casper case file listeners are invited
to take advantage of Casper's competitive limited time Memorial Day sale offer what better way to listen to
case file then on a new Casper mattress there are three mattress lines to choose
from the original Casper mattress combines multiple supportive memory foams for a quality night's sleep
surface with the right amounts of both sync and balance the wave mattress features a patent-pending premium
support system to mirror the natural shape of your body and to the essential mattress has a streamlined design at a
price that won't keep you up at night you can be sure of your purchase with Casper's 109 risk-free sleep on a trial
and if you're not completely satisfied returns are hassle free start your summer off right by choosing the
Internet's favorite mattress this Memorial Day it's also the favorite mattress of case file producer of mic
medias at first starting work on case file kept Mike awake at night but now he's found casper sleepless nights are a
thing of the past take advantage of Casper's competitive limited on Memorial Day sale offer by visiting Casper
dot-com slash savings and received ten percent off your order with any mattress purchase this special offer expires May
29th 2018 terms and conditions apply again for 10 percent off your order with any
mattress purchase go to kasa.com slash savings special offer expires may 29th 2018
in February 1992 a judicial investigation into Stefan kishkes conviction began three judges listened
to arguments for and against Stefan's guilt when the defense presented wilkinson's new evidence the prosecution
didn't argue any over the judge has reached a decision the following day Lord Chief Justice Lane quote it has
been shown that this man cannot produce burn this man can not have been the person responsible for ejaculating over
the girls knickers and skirt and consequently cannot have been the murderer justice Lane ordered Stefan
Kish goes and mediate release from custody he had been in prison for 16 years Stefan's suicide out Campbell
Malone recalled the moment quote when I sat in court listening to the judgement it was a uniquely emotional experience
I've never felt it before or since Stefan received no apology for expression of regret from any solicitors
investigators or witnesses whose actions led to his conviction West Yorkshire Police admitted they were wrong but
defended the position they took in 1975 Stefan's defense team said that if the evidence found after his imprisonment
was known at trial the outcome would have been different two days after the verdict Stefan kishka
fronted the press he embraced his mother before the cameras and said my mother had been great she had been very
supportive that was very important to me I did not want to lose her because of the crime of which I was convicted mum
had given me every confidence Stefan spoke of the years in prison referring to them as hell quote it's been a
nightmare situation to be honest prisons being very difficult the whole situation
in the police station was a very difficult one it's been intolerable I'll feel angry towards the police the
way they handled all of it because they should never have arrested me they should have arrested the right person I
always believed in my own innocence I didn't lose faith that I would be acquitted I always believed to the
courts would come on my side I had faith in British justice I still have that faith they just wanted somebody to go
down as a mud in a way I was framed because the detectives told me to get it wrapped up in time for Christmas Stefan
remained in hospital for psychiatric treatment 12 weeks later he was able to return home for the first time in 16
years his room had been kept just as he had left it hundreds of letters from supporters around the world were waiting
phim on April 14 1993 Charlotte Kish goes tireless campaigning for her son was formally recognized she was awarded
Rochdale Woman of the year the BBC interviewed Stefan shortly after his release he told them he was enjoying
sleeping in and catching up with old friends he wanted to get married visit Australia and America and to get on with
life as best as he could a claim for compensation was lodged on Stefan's behalf and he was awarded five hundred
thousand pounds pleased to have her son back home Charlotte knew Stefan would never be the same he needed to be
medicated for the mental illness he developed in prison despite Stefan's plans to travel the
world he became a recluse who showed little interest in anything frequent attention from well-wishers frightened
him and he rarely ventured out he'd sit in silence by the window for hours a visiting psychiatrist stated it is
hard to comprehend the enormity of what this man has been subjected to through wrongful conviction aside from the
normal distribution he had been the subject of two serious assaults early in his sentence and has
developed the most crippling of mental illnesses schizophrenia in October 1993 Stefan was diagnosed with angina severe
chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to his heart on the night of December 21st 1993 Stefan kissed his mother
goodnight and went to his room minutes later Charlotte was startled by a thumping crash she rushed to Stefan's
bedroom where she found him pale and motionless on the floor tucking a pillow under his head
Charla whispered his name over and over he didn't respond an ambulance rushed to Stefan to
Rochdale infirmary but it was too late Stefan Kisco died of a heart attack at age 41 less than two years since he's
released from prison Steve pianta of the Manchester Evening News visited Charlotte the day after
Stefan's death despite her sadness she greeted him with warmth Charlotte told him quote there are certain people are
cannot forgive for the way they treated my son there is one police officer in particular who would not only have the
jailing of an innocent man on his conscience but this as well the police took him away three days before
Christmas and two now three days before Christmas again God has taken him at least Stefan will go to his grave with
his name cleared and having some freedom again [Music] On January 5th 1994 Stefan Kisco was
laid to rest alongside his father's grave in Rochdale cemetery father William O'Connor spoke at the funeral
quote the world has failed Stefan but there will be no more pain no more suffering for him now Stefan died before
receiving the 500,000 pounds awarded in compensation for his wrongful conviction
four months later Charlotte Kish code died suddenly those who knew her well believed she kept illness at bay whilst
campaigning for her son's innocence but with him gone she lost her will to live her grave reads a loving wife and a very
devoted mother the compensation money owed for Stefan's wrongful imprisonment was never paid to anyone in July 1994
the lead investigators in the leslie mal seed murder investigation former Chief Superintendent Jack Dibb detective
Superintendent d : and delayed forensic scientist Rinaldi at her age were formally charged with
suppressing evidence in the case against Stefan kishka by this time but D : and Ronald average were retired and to
Jack Dibb had died Poland and outrage blamed all wrongdoing on the deceased Jack Dibb with the passage of time and
the loss of vital exhibits and documents it was determined the charges against Holland and outrage be stayed the case
was never presented before a jury no one was ever held accountable for Stefan Kish goes botched investigation unfair
trial or false imprisonment detective Superintendent Trevor Wilkinson headed the new investigation into the murder of
Leslie mol seed they came across the notes of Detective Sergeant David Paxton who was part of the original
investigation in 1975 Paxton had interviewed a man from taured midden a market town in West Yorkshire about 20
kilometres northeast of Rochdale the man's name was Raymond Hewlett and he'd had a previous conviction for a sex
offense against the Mona on the morning of September 19 1972 Hewlett tricked the 12 year-old neighbor
into his car he drove her to an isolated Road where he pushed the turpentine soaked rag to her face she lost
consciousness and awoke naked on the backseat Hewlett threatened to hunt her down and kill her if she ever told
anyone in January 1973 he pled guilty to rape and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment he was released after 12
what drew detective Paxton to Hulett was that he once owned a Morris Minor 1000 minivan on November 7 1975 one month
after Leslie mal Said's murder Paxton caught up with Hewlett who had just been arrested for theft Hewlett
denied any involvement in the abduction or murder of Leslie he admitted once owning a blue Morris
Minor 1000 minivan but said he had since swapped it for another vehicle when Stephon kishka was arrested for Leslie's
murder detective Paxton indicated he was unhappy having to end his inquiry with Raymond Hewlett three years later
Hewlett attacked a 14 year old girl as she was home alone he pointed a gun and ordered her to an upstairs bedroom she
warned Hewlett her friends would you over any minute into this caused Hewlett to give up on his plan he threatened her
to keep quiet but she reported the attack Hewlett pled guilty and was sentenced to four years but he only
served 16 months before being released a decade later Hewlett kidnapped another 14 year old girl at Northpoint with the
intention to rape her however he prematurely ejaculated onto her jeans cutting his plans sure he
forced the girl into the boot of his car and abandoned her at a quarry he was sentenced to six years for kidnapping
and indecent assault within two years he was granted home leave which he absconded and went on the run Hewlett
was spotted and arrested in September 1991 he was in the company of a woman and her three children the nine-year-old
daughter told police Hewlett had been indecently assaulting her he was returned to prison after Stephon kishka
exoneration Hewlett was questioned again about Leslie mal seeds murder he answered every question no reply
this carried on for several days before police can say that Hewlett would give them nothing on November 6th 1992
Hewlett completed his sentence and was immediately arrested for the murder of Leslie Moll saved upon his release the
arrest didn't work either after four days of unsuccessful interrogation they were forced to release him Hewlett
offered an open hand to an investigating officer and said no hard feelings Hewlett fled overseas remarried and had
six children they lived a nomadic life in the back of a van travelling throughout France Spain and Portugal
Hewlett died of throat cancer in 2010 or the year 2000 Leslie mol seeds killer remained
unidentified the West Yorkshire Police set up a cold case review team under the leadership of Detective Chief
Superintendent max McLean a new forensic examination of the evidence retained from the 1975 crime scene began
the five microscopic slides that help the suspect semen sample were still missing but several pieces of sellotape
were found in the evidence boxes they were immediately tested and to their surprise two pieces of the tape were
found to hold traces of seminal fluid on the de Leslie's body was found forensic
officers sellotaped her clothes to pick up any fibers before they blew away in the wind the tape was the latest stored
away and forgotten until now the two pieces of tape containing seminal fluid had enough genetic material for
scientists in the year 2000 to complete a full DNA profile of Leslie's killer if
there were any lingering doubts about Stephan kishka they were now gone the DNA proved beyond any doubt he was not
Leslie's killer the DNA profile was compared to known suspects members of Leslie's immediate family were ruled out
so was convicted pedophile raymond hewlett some wondered if the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe could have been
responsible but the DNA proved he wasn't in fact the DNA didn't match anyone it belonged to a man completely unknown to
police later detective McLean made a television appeal on BBC crime program crime watch he revealed new DNA evidence
had been obtained and to urged for Raj Stiles community to come forward with names of people they suspect murdered
Leslie including those who may have since passed away quote it may be that someone has harbored a
suspicion for 27 years that a friend relative or acquaintance could have killed this little girl we now have the
ability through the development of scientific methods to eliminate these people once and for all it is an
extremely simple procedure which involves us taking a mouth swab we have already eliminated 300 people and are
continuing to work through our list of suspects there could be a husband boyfriend partner or brother
there are simple scientific tests we can undertake to determine whether they are
responsible for her death I want to stress the people that it is impossible for Stefan Kish Co to have been involved
in this crime get that image out of your mind he was not the killer the appeal resulted in 250 calls to
police allowing a list of 90 new suspects to be compiled all were investigated but there was no match
years went by and still no match for the DNA entered the police database on October 1st 2005 police received a call
from a hotel room in Oldham eight and a half kilometers southeast of Rochdale the caller was a distressed woman when
police arrived she told them she was a sex worker her client was 51 year-old runnel de Castries when the pair went to
the room he went back on their agreement she wouldn't consent to what Castro wanted so he raped her
Kasturi denied the allegation he was arrested but the charges were later dropped nevertheless he had been
arrested for a sex crime new laws required him to submit a routine mouth swab for DNA analysis Castro's DNA was
placed in the national database it was a direct hit to the profile of Leslie mal
Said's kill Ronald Castro he was born in 1953 in little borough a small town within the borough of Rochdale or the
early 70s he was married to Beverly they settled in a house on Oldham Road situated on the eastern edge of turf
hill estate at the time kastri worked as an administration clerk and a part-time
taxi driver the marriage was unhappy Beverly recalled Pastore was failed with his mouth and felt with his fists
weeks after their wedding he punched her in the face for the first time he also derived sexual pleasure from violence
and acts of bondage she founded the grading he made a dress up like a schoolgirl and he'd pretend to molest
her when Beverly refused his demands Castries turned to sex workers on September 19 1975 Beverly gave birth
to a son the biological father was a man with whom she'd been having an affair Kasturi knew he was not the child's
father and a caused the tension in the relationship nevertheless he agreed to raise the child as his own on October
3rd 1975 Beverly was admitted to Rochdale infirmary suffering deep vein thrombosis days later on October 5th
castrate left his home around a midday to visit his wife in hospital he arrived too late that afternoon when he left
home he was only a few streets away from sky up slain the last place leslie Massey was seen alive nearly nine months
later Castries was arrested for the indecent assault of nine year old Sarah whom he had come across playing tag with
a friend on Vava sauce tree the attack that was detailed at the beginning of this episode
Kasturi pled guilty and received a fifty pound fine as punishment just over two years later Castries struck again this
time he abducted a seven-year-old boy and took him to an unused garage during the ordeal the boy screamed someone
overheard and intervened Castries was arrested charged pled guilty and again received just a 50 pound fine as
punishment it was 31 years after the murder of Leslie mal Sade the police pulled up to the front of
Castries council-owned house it was November 1st 2006 the DC 176 to Jeff Dunn from West Yorkshire Police now that
everything that we say is being taped recorded are you Ronald Charles Edward Custer I am but listen very carefully to
what I've got to say to you now you're under arrest for the murder of Leslie Susan mol see ya joke between
12:00 noon on Sunday the 5th of October 1975 and for 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday 8th of October 1975 you do not have to say
anything but it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in
court anything you do say may be given in evidence do you understand the caution yes I was
on because your arrest is necessary for the prompt and effective investigation of the offense ok you're gonna be taken
from here to Halifax police station now ridiculous on October 22nd 2007 the trial of Ronald Castro for the murder of
Leslie Massey began at Bradford the Crown Court cash tree could not explain why his DNA was at Leslie's crime scene
his defense suggested cross-contamination may have occurred they also took advantage of Stefan
kishkes previous conviction for the crime and put forth the idea that cash tree was also being set up by police
during his trial cursory boasted of having numerous Affairs during his marriage he said he regularly had sex in
the back of his taxi with one-night stands Castries defense hinted but never directly argued that Leslie may have
been a passenger in the taxi and Castries semen from a previous liaison transferred from the C so Leslie's
underwear retired forensic scientist Ronald outrage was called to kasturi's trial outrage was involved in the semen
sample testing back in 1975 leading to the incorrect conviction of Stefan kishka the outer edge spoke in Castries
defense he maintained to the man who left semen on Leslie's underwear may not have been her killer
Eldridge never afforded Stefan Kisco this same possibility Castries defense labeled convicted
pedophile raymond hewlett as the Lesley's killer the prosecution argued castries we have done the same turf hill
estate as Leslie he had no solid alibi for the time of her abduction he had a history of
snatching children of local streets for the purpose of sexually assaulting them they believed his wife having the child
of another man may have been a trigger for cash tree furthermore Christopher Coverdale was eyewitness testimony of
the man with the girl on the laborer for a striking resemblance to Ronald Castro
in 1975 between the ages of 30 and 35 years old five foot six inches tall plump with fair hair that was receding a
forensic expert explained to the court how the DNA taken from Leslie's underwear was a direct match to Castro
and the chance had belonged to anyone else was one in a billion on November 12 2007 after 11 hours and 38 minutes of
deliberation the jury reached a verdict Ronald Castro was found guilty for the murder of Leslie mal seed he was given
life with a minimum of 30 years judge Openshaw quote this was a truly dreadful crime Leslie
mal Sayed was only 11 she was vulnerable not just because of her age but because
of her learning difficulties you approached her he would have had no difficulty in luring her away for she
was trusting you repeatedly stabbed her he left her for dead drove back to Rochdale and carried on with the rest of
your life as if nothing had happened it was a pretense you kept up for 32 years your past has now caught up with you you
then kept quiet while an entirely innocent man was arrested tried convicted and sentenced for her murder
he served 16 years before his conviction was set aside living only a couple of years after his release I am surely
entitled to take into account not only the effect on mr. Kish GAO's family but also the effect on the family of your
victim they have had to endure a long years of uncertainty and after his release come to terms with the knowledge
that the guilty man was still at large I have no doubt that the memory of this dreadful murder is and always will be a
burden they must endure for the rest of their lives as Castries was taken from the court he attempted to address the
judge who snapped back no you have had your say Lesley's mother rape rule rent a
statement outside of court quote we are relieved that after so long our quest for justice for Leslie is now over it
has been a long and harrowing ordeal and our gratitude to the friends family and
strangers throughout the world who have given us their support is immense solicitor Campbell Malone spent most of
the 1980s working to have Stefan kishka released from prison he had this to say regarding the outcome of Ronald castries
trial I welcome with some relief the conviction of Ronald Castro for the murder of Leslie Moll seed as bringing
to a proper end to over 32 years of tragedy I hope that it will bring some much-deserved peace of mind to Leslie's
family and I applaud their determination to seek justice on her behalf after Stefan's early death some 18 months
after his release from prison his mother's last words to me were not to let the public forget his name and what
had happened to him and I have no doubt she would be quietly pleased with the outcome of this trial so appalling was
Stefan's ordeal that I suspect he would have been made physically sick by having
to relive those experiences but I am sure he too would have been pleased to have seen a just conclusion so what was
one of the worst ever miscarriages of justice the case is a reminder of why such miscarriages although rare are
important to us all not only is grief prolonged for the victim of the crime and their families but the perpetrators
can be free to commit further offences thereby ruining other lives those of the wrongly convicted are also in my
experience permanently damaged and as in Stefan's case often cut short at last the person responsible for this brutal
murder has been identified and Castries is guilty of not just the murder of Leslie mal seed but of causing the
prolonged misery of her family into the simple destruction of the life of Stefan
Kisco others involved in the arrest and prosecution of Stephon may also have had
a share in the latter but at least in helping clear his name and in securing this verdict West Yorkshire Police have
shown a commitment to saying that justice is done at last April mal Sayed stated the greatest thing for her since
castries conviction was the fact she was finally able to sleep through the night
without having bad dreams after the conviction the mal seeds heard a private get-together with supporters at the
local pub they put on music by Leslie's idols Scottish pop band the Bay City Rollers they turned up the song byebye
baby and her family took to the dance floor the circle around the family widened as more people stepped in they
hold each other and sang the words loud to say goodbye to their baby [Music] [Music]
you [Music]

Case 84: Lesley Molseed (Part 2)

[Part 2 of 2]

The Molseed family were satisfied justice was served for child-killer Stefan Kiszko. Yet, his capture and conviction did not bring April Molseed any sense of joy...

CREDITS

Narration – Anonymous Host Research and writing – Milly Raso Additional edits – Tayla Vos Production, scoring – Mike Migas Additional scoring – Andrew Joslyn

SOCIAL LINKS

Website https://www.casefilepodcast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casefile Twitter https://twitter.com/case_file Instagram https://www.instagram.com/casefilepodcast Patreon https://www.patreon.com/casefile

RESOURCES

For all credits and sources please visit https://www.casefilepodcast.com/case-84-lesley-molseed-part-2

Brief Summary

Stefan Kisco was wrongfully convicted of murder; Ronald Castri was later identified as the true killer.

Key points

A Mother's Nightmare. A mother faces the unimaginable as her children go missing during a holiday.
Minimal Consequences for a Crime. The attacker of a young girl faced a mere fine for his actions.
Stefan's Mental Decline. In prison, Stefan's mental health deteriorated, leading to delusions and paranoia.
Hope for Justice. Stefan's case is reopened as new evidence comes to light, raising hopes for his innocence.
Stefan's Release and Aftermath. After 16 years in prison, Stefan is released, but struggles with the trauma of wrongful conviction.
Charlotte's Campaign for Justice. Charlotte Kish tirelessly campaigned for her son's innocence, earning recognition for her efforts.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

He was only ordered to pay a fine of fifty pounds.

The attacker faced minimal consequences for his crime.

4:53WatchNov 20, 2018

Tension

85/ 100High tension

More from Casefile

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.