Snape killed Crouch Snr

[Hagrid]

No: HPFGUIDX 177086

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Tim Regan" <dumbledad> wrote:
<SNIPPED>
> 1) In DH Chapter 30 ... Harry saw in the distance a huge bat-like 
> shape flying through the darkness towards the perimeter wall.
> <<<
> 
> 2. Back in GoF Chapter 29 ...the trio are discussing the murder of
> Barty Crouch Snr: >>>
> "If Snape hadn't held me up," Harry said bitterly, "we might've 
> got there in time. 'The headmaster is busy. Potter . . . what's 
> this rubbish, Potter?' Why couldn't he have just got out of the 
> way?"
> 
> "Maybe he didn't want you to get there!" said Ron quickly. "Maybe -
> hang on - how fast d'you reckon he could've gotten down to the 
> forest? D'you reckon he could've beaten you and Dumbledore there?"
> 
> "Not unless he can turn himself into a bat or something," said 
> Harry. <<<
> 
> So he can! Cheers,
> Dumbledad.

Aussie now:
For Murder, prove opportunity, means and motive.

I think Barty Jr had more motives to kill Barty Snr than Snape did. 
But Snape did have a motive for hiding the body.

The body of a Ministry official would raise questions of "who did 
it", and the only known ex-Death Eaters at Hogwarts were Karkaroff 
and Snape. 
Snape didn't want either to be under Ministry questioning tactics. 
Karkaroff spent a lot of time talking to Snape - about what? -Snape 
didn't want too many to know.

It is true that while Barty Jr (Moody double) was questioned under 
vertiserum, Snape was at the back of the group and could have used 
mind altering spells (like Kingsley did to Maretta). Any involvement 
from Snape could have been covered up.

After all, when "Moody" comes to Dumbledore in the forest, he 
claimed Snape sent him after saying something of "Crouch". The Map 
showed Harry meeting with Dumbledore and Snape, but didn't give 
details fo what was said or when. He could have guessed Harry spoke 
of Crouch in front of Snape, but it was a gamble. 

aussie