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The computer turn on time is a red herring

Joe Karam argues that whoever turned on the computer must have been the murderer. The evidence does show that this was most likely turned on before David returned home from the paper run, which means that David is not likely to have been able to turn it on, and that Robin must have. Karam also argues that the computer belonged to Robin and he was very computer literate, introducing computers into his schools. There is no reason why the person who turned should also be the person who committed the murders.

As a person who earns his living by working at home by remote from a computer, I, like Robin, also turn on my computer first thing in the morning.  However, I do not sit down in front of the computer and wait for it to boot up.  No, I have better things to do with my time. So, I usually go away from the computer and prepare my breakfast.  Experts examined the computer and determined that it would take over a minute to boot up and a further minute for MSWord to load and enable Robin to begin work.  It is quite possible that, like me. Robin was in the habit of doing something else while the computer booted up. 

Evidence shows that Robin did not go to the toilet and there is no evidence he went downstairs, however someone did bring in the newspaper and David Bain testified that he couldn't remember if he did or not.  It is highly possible that Robin turned on the computer and then went out to collect the newspaper.  During that time, David could have arrived, and passed him on his way back, then snuck into the computer alcove to ambush his father.

The computer turn on time is a red herring.  Whoever turned on the computer is not necessarily the murderer in the Bain murders.

Submitted by Mike Stockdale on Wed, 18/03/2015 - 9:45am

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While I agree the computer turn on time is a red herring in that first of all we don't know for sure when the computer was turned on [Karam want's people to believe it was turned on around 6.42 am which is when computer expert Cox estimated it was turned on] but another computer expert Kleintjess who employed more sophisticated technology than was available to Cox testified that the computer was turned on between 6.39.49am and 6.49.11. 
Secondly, even if Robin Bain did turn the computer on that does not prove anything. He could have easily have entered the house by either door without being aware there was anything amiss. 
I am more inclined to believe that it was David Bain who turned the computer on. By his own estimate he was home between 6.42/6.43 a.m. 
David Bain did not testify that he couldn't remember bringing the paper in. 
In his second statement to DS Dunne on Tuesday ,21 June ,he was asked about the newspaper. 
Q. When you came home did you bring a paper with you? 
A. No. 
Q. Is one delivered? 
A. Yes, it's delivered by Kieran Garbutt of 6 Mahon Street to the letterbox at home. He's usually past our gate at quarter to six. 
Q . Did you take the paper inside from the letterbox? 
A. No, I didn't. I haven't thought about it until now. I normally would take it in but sometimes, if I walk my run , Dad may get it at 7 a.m. 
Q.Do you remember if the paper was in the letterbox? 
A. No I don't. 

Which ,of course begs the question. If David Bain normally took the paper in when he ran his paper round , which is what he did that morning, why didn't he take the paper in? 
Denise Laney saw David Bain reaching around the hedge as if he was putting a paper in the box at around 6.45 a.m.  I would suggest what she actually saw was David Bain taking the paper from the box. I would also  suggest that in his haste to get into the house before his father entered it he completely forgot about the paper, then a couple of minutes later he remembered he hadn't brought it in and went back out to the gate to get it.