25. The Defence

Now, this was the part that I was really dreading, the Defence.  Miss B stood up and introduced herself and then started laying into me for the bag of lies; the fact that I was a con man, a crook; Fr Robinson was the innocent party, I am the guilty one.

As I said, I had been warned by the police, by my Barristers, do not lose your temper.  So again, I took a sip of water and replied to the jury that what I have said today is the truth.  I was asked many, many questions; each time answering, with, a sip of water and a reply that was not hurried; telling the truth and, above all, keeping very calm.

I was asked if I had gone onto the Internet to find any facts or news, about this case etc.  I said that I had and answered the questions.  The Judge then asked Miss B “if she had been on the Internet?”  When she replied “no,” he said it was about time she did, “I suggest you do it over the week end.”  Then quite suddenly Miss B said that was all for the defence.  I had kept my cool, and I did not even swear once.  I was very relieved, somewhat of an anti climax.

The Judge thanked me for my evidence and suggested that I could go home or stay.  I replied that I was going to stay till the end in the public area.  As I had waited for 49 years to get there, I didn’t want to miss the outcome.  I sat in the public seats, which were incidentally closed to the public, only families and friends of the victims.  This I thought was wonderful, one of my worst fears, did not amount to anything.

A blonde lady in front of me grasped my hand.  I don’t know who she was.  A few minutes later court was adjourned for lunch.  I walked out of the court room, where the blond lady hugged me and kissed me before walking away.  I still don’t know who she is.  I was approached by Mr H, and Miss R who shook my hand.  Mr H told me that what I had just done was the bravest thing that they had ever seen in a court of law.  Brave, no, I just told the truth and, most important of all, I kept very cool.

I would highly recommend to anyone in that position; raise the glass, it is reassuring to have something in your hand, and take a sip, to give you time to think.