Sunday 16 November 2008

MY CASE (9) THE VERDICT

The Jury go out.

P has a little chat with our teacher – he presses me for my opinion – I say “It’s all gone very well…but one never knows” – he then recounts some of the things I said in my closing – “Herculean strength” – “the message a guilty verdict would send to society”. He liked it all – some of his friends compliment P on the way the cross-examination was carried out – “very clever” – “you nailed it”.

I say nothing more.

Anyway – these are tense times – I hate the wait whilst the Jury is out.

P goes for a wander – a swift walk around the Court – then out into the park – keeps his eye open for the nutters – just in case they want another pop. I can’t go too far in case the verdict comes back.

So I give it half an hour.

As I walk back into Court the usher is waiting at the door – “Verdict is in”.

We take our seats; I look around at our teacher – he is ashen faced – gives me a nod – his family are all there – in the public gallery – tense – apprehensive.

In they walk – 12 good men and true.

The Foreman stands and we have the usual verbal formalities. I maintain an impassive expression throughout.

Verdict is announced: “Not Guilty”.

The Jury look at me and I retain the expression – win or lose – the same impassive expression. It’s my shield.

There is a bit of a commotion and I turn to see our teacher standing to his feet – gives me the thumbs up – beaming – I also see the headmaster storming out of the Court – with some others.

Outside I speak to the teacher – he is overwhelmed – his wife and friends are hugging and kissing him and then they all gather around – thanking me, shaking my hand – unsure whether to hug me too – they fidgit and decide not to. There is talk of champagne and celebrating. But not for me.

As I go to leave the teacher says to me; “The little bastard deserved it….the little shit.”

With that.

I go back to the Robing Room to get changed and to think things over.

THERE IS AN AFTERMATH

15 comments:

Minx said...

OOOO NOOOOOOOOOO!! Dont tell me he actually DID the dirty deed?!?!?! I can't BEAR the thought!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

perhaps he was referring to the champagne, just some light hearted banter? These defendant chaps can sometimes be a scream from what I've seen.

My Other Blog said...

Oh no!
Well - you know what they say - that it's far better that 1,000 guilty men go free than 1 innocent man be convicted.
I'm sure you feel this old saying is a load of crap.
What a bummer....

Ms. Moon said...

Hmmmm....
Pondering. Pondering.
Give us the rest.

Swiss Tony said...

Nice twist to the tale, but the teacher is right, the little shit did deserve it.

Go P go

Swizz

Tamara said...

where's the starting comment from you, P?

Lost said...

If you think that he has just told you that he has done it, dont you have a duty to disclose this?

Double jeopoardy laws have changed now haven't they! So is there a possiblity of a retrial?

MikeP said...

I guess the truth comes out in the end?!

Considering that his employer took him to court, I can't imagine that the teacher will not resign from that school. Will he have to disclose the case if he applies to other schools? Clearly his employer would not forward a letter of recommendation.

Anonymous said...

Oh!! you have a blog! how sweet. And what *oratory* you exhibit before the jury. I imagine you win lots of really really really important interesting cases. Well DONE!!!

Mr Pineapples said...

Minxta - not saying anything....must wait

Rocknlaw - too clever by far - even P aint that Bright

My other blog - you got it right - our justice system works...mostly

Ms Moon - you still pondering

Swwz Tone - P is going to explain all...wonder what you'll think then

Tamara - I dont understand any of that - please elucidate

Lost - will explain all

MikeP - doubt that he has to disclose this 'cos he was not convicted (though not too sure)

GreekLawyer - oh dear did P's comments upset you? Thin skinned?But...thanks for kind words - you are right - P is great in front of a jury.

boXer girl said...

A person's true color will inevitably show - eventually.

Electro-Kevin said...

I wait with bated breath ...

Workaholic said...

SCANDAL!

I'm looking forward to the next post.

I'm back from my months off from the blog world. Forgive me please Mr P. xxxx

Anonymous said...

Sorry, kaffir, I still didn't get the comments you attempted to put on my blog. Please try again. I saw the headers but Mailwasher deleted them before I had a chance to read any. Sorry!

Vodka Mom said...

you won! Not sure if it was good, however.