Jacqueline English - London, ON - Murdered - 1969

[birdy]

Betty Harrison told her boss and he told his wife,who  spread it around her work.
Birdy

[elsie]

So logic would say that the stalker/stabber was probably within the 1 or 2 degrees of separation from her boss - at least less than the movie  with 6 degrees of separation.  What happened to her boss and his wife over the years ?   Did they ever remember anything that was unusual in their circle of friends ?  I also wondered why her boss drove Betty Harrison to her appointment with Dr. Johnson.   He would also have known that she was off work early and that she often took her dog for a run in the country.  Was that information shared too or does anyone know?

[rkay]

Hi elsie, and birdy, welcome to the boards! Feel free to ask questions or chip in as you see fit.

I also wondered why her boss drove Betty Harrison to her appointment with Dr. Johnson.   

As you pointed out there are a million questions that can be asked in this thread. Here's one to which I can give you an 'answer'. Dr. Harvey Murphy, the chiropractor (also a published author in the field) was friends with Mr. Fryer. The LFP article on this thread for Nov 27, 1970 (page 6, post # 80 ) says, "While driving home after the interview, the woman [Mrs. Harrison] said, Dr. Murphy told her that he had gone to see a friend of his there, the principal of the CPRI School, Fryer". Now, this is supposedly after Betty Harrison had her conversation with Dr. Johnson, in which they had already established, in discussing Fryer, that "he's a friend of my boss".  So, presumably his name had come up on the ride there as well. At that point, it doesn't seem like Mrs. Harrison knew anything but Fryer's name; i.e., hadn't actually seen his face in association with knowing who he was-- as far as we know.

As to the direct reason why Dr. Murphy drove Betty out to the CPRI, it may be that her husband had the car. She had recently sold the Volkswagen later in December after the attack (which is when the vehicle liability insurance card was discovered missing) so possibly she required a ride after work, and her boss offered, ostensibly with the dual purpose of visiting his friend while Betty had her appointment.

[Have faith]

Quote-Jesa:

"I am thankful that I have learned this valuable information & appreciate everyone's efforts to unveil the truth to me, as the truth is what is of value.
As difficult as it is to revisit this time frame, I can never express my gratitude to the people who come forward to offer information to aid in the resolution of Jackie's case."

Amen. These people who have come forward really care.  They tracked down this site, or were directed to it, and saw a way of giving Jackie's sister information.  It doesn't get any better than that. This is what family members pray for.  Thank you to the caring insiders who reached out to Jackie's sister.  Jesa, we know how difficult it is for you to revisit this time after time.  Hang in there.  :-)

HF

[elsie]

Interesting to google Glen Fryer -   
1. There is one listed in Ontario -  Brantford   Charing Cross Street   Fryer, Glen R.

2. This is an American case in Lima Ohio      but strange co-incidence...  This a copied news clip.
                                           "   Girl's remains found in rapist's basement
Monday, February 20, 2012
LIMA, Ohio -- The skeletal remains of a 14-year-old Ohio runaway who went missing in 1999 have been found after the home where she was last seen was demolished, according to police.

The Lima News reports (http://bit.ly/wcPcgl ) that Lima police on Saturday said the remains of Nicholle Coppler were found in a crawl space as the home's foundation was being dug out. Allen County Coroner Gary Beasley said they were identified through dental records.

The home was owned by Glen Fryer, who had been suspected in Coppler's death. The newspaper reports he was 55 when he killed himself in 2002 while awaiting sentencing for raping a girl."

[rkay]

Yes, it is an unfortunate coincidence of names.



Here are two photos of Betty Harrison, taken at the beginning of the trial in late November. The first shows her arriving on November 23th:



(Image reproduced courtesy of the London Free Press Collection of Photographic Negatives, the University of Western Ontario Archives, November 23, 1970.)


She's the one in the middle with the folder over her face.


And when she arrives on November 25th:



(Image reproduced courtesy of the London Free Press Collection of Photographic Negatives, the University of Western Ontario Archives, November 25, 1970.)


As one can see, there's a pretty obvious reason why neither of these images were ever used in the Free Press coverage of the trial. Betty Harrison clearly did not want her picture taken. Of the six photos taken of the woman on the two days, these are the best images to be had. One can imagine the photographer's frustration of not getting a quality shot of the most important Crown witness.



I'm not sure who the man ahead and the woman behind are. The gentleman appears to be an official escort, possibly a plainclothes police officer? And I suspect the woman behind is a friend of Betty Harrison's. Anyone know?

(Also, as an aside, note that in the first picture we get a good shot of Judge Colter's car.)

In any event, what I get from these two images, and the sequences they come from, is that Betty Harrison had no interest in having her picture in the paper. She's transferred her folder (what might this contain?) to the hand on whatever side the photographer was stationed in an effort block her face, and keeps her head down with no interest in meeting anyone's gaze. To me, this suggests that she was definitely no publicity-seeker, and was reluctantly involved in this process, rather than gaining any sort of pleasure or enjoying any notoriety from the experience.


What we are left with, as the face for this woman, is a portrait from a LFP court sketch artist, which one has to take on faith for an accurate likeness:




The image seems to depict a rather plain-looking woman, with slightly unkempt hair who hasn't spent a lot of time on her appearance. There is a clear element of consternation in the pronounced frown. Apparently, the court had to be recessed at least twice to allow her to compose herself.


It would be nice to have a transcript of the trial available, to find out at what specific points those occurred (among other things). Yet, none so far have surfaced. Unfortunately, the crown only keeps transcripts if there are plans to appeal the verdict, and in this case, they didn't.

If anyone has any ideas where another image of Betty Harrison, or a surviving transcript, might be found, feel free to chime in.

[mitch1]

the folder she was holding was one the crown gave her just so she could hide her face

[rkay]

That makes sense, mitch1, thanks. It appears in the first photo she's holding a legal-sized envelope and in the second a couple of file folders, so likely whatever was at hand. To my mind, her behaviour here lends credence to the sincerity of her belief in her testimony.

The accuracy can still be viewed as a separate discussion, of course, but my point is that she doesn't convey an attempt to make headlines and bask in the limelight. Inviting attention for its own sake was not a motive. In fact, come to think of it, most of the time her name is couched as "Mrs. Verdun Harrison".

[Jesa]

The fortitude & courage that BH  found, in trying to assist with Jackie's murder is a scarce trait & I only wish I were able to thank her personally. The sacrifice she made in the hope of aiding Jackie, was costly. Not only did this very private woman have to endure the publicity of the trial & the endless terrorizing of not only her family but also other families who offered to assist her during this time but the ultimate price...their lives!
I spoke with Betty years ago & I do remember her terror & her concern for our family. I don't think I realized that she suffered an insidious horror daily & just what a sacrifice she made, attempting to help in finding Jackie's killer. It appears that she must have at least wondered in hindsight, whether she had made a difference because of the outcome of the trial. She did make a difference....a huge difference because without her testimony...we would be left with no direction.
She (BH) suffered tremendously, personally & while fearing for her family & friends, by coming forward. So not only am I  grateful & indebted to her....I will continue to pursue her identification of the person responsible. I believe Betty & her family paid the price with their lives.
How could it be plausible to identify an innocent person & still be harassed by the guilty person? I can not comprehend a productive point.
To ALL of the people who have been wounded by this event, I apologize for your unending suffering & stand in awe & gratitude of the Betty Harrison& the people whose lives were forever altered by doing the "right" thing & sharing the facts, to resolve Jackie's murder. We have not been defeated & we are not afraid of the truth & we are still seeking justice.

[jobo]

You are such a good soul, Jesa.

Your post brought tears to my eyes.  You are so thoughtful....and correct.

One of my daughters was witness to an attack and was asked to go to court.  She did, but she was afraid because she worked where the attack took place, and felt the perp would come after her.  Thank goodness he didn't because the Police had no consideration for my daughter's safety, and didn't protect her, or keep her anonymous. 

If I am recalling correctly....didn't BH's home burn down with them in it?  Sad.

[Jesa]

Hi Jobo

I can certainly understand your fear for your daughter's safety & am so happy to hear that everything ended well. Bravo for her for her assistance & her bravery ....
What an awful position she was placed in....a witness to an attack at her place of employment.

You raised a girl to be proud of. Glad she is safe!

Yes, the Harrison family were all killed in a house fire in 1973. Ruled accidental.

Thank you for your kind words...but I do have an obligation to pursue Betty's testimony wholeheartedly in order that her ordeal over the years was not in vain.

[jobo]

I agree Jesa...People such as Betty (and even my daughter) did what was right eventhough they could have been in danger.  As it turned out, Betty was in danger.
May Betty RIP.

[birdy]

Would anyone know the names of secretaries working at CPRI during the the period 1970 -1972. There may be an obscure rconnection to a witness. The secretary is now deceased but we need her name as our witness has forgotten it. It may or may not be important. So if anyone remembers or has access to a list of staff, I would like to follow up this lead even if it proves to be a dead  end. Please pardon the expression.
  Birdy

[chickapey]

Hi guys... Just checking in with the iPad (which is a challenge) . I may be able to find out a few names when I get back on Thursday

[Jesa]

Thanks birdy for the suggestion & thanks fog for the names. Everything is followed up by the crew & we will post when & if we can.
Everyone's input is so important & nothing is overlooked. We need to revisit all leads & are working hard to get answers.
Sometimes it takes a little time but everything is looked at with our fresh eyes.
So happy when others make suggestions, or ask questions.....it gives us new leads to follow. And we all know this case has a very high probability of resolution & in the very near future, in my opinion.
Thanks to so much new info from new people, we are making headway. I am energized & excited by all I am learning from our new sources.