Another day dawns and the second week is all but over. I am sure that none of us expected things to go on for this long, nor would they have done but for Jim’s last-minute appearance. I should say at this point that the first two flies in the ointment were really nothing at all – just rumours and gossip that were quickly sorted out by the police and proved to be groundless. In fact, the police were under no legal obligation to call Jim to give evidence when they did. Technically, the closing speeches could have gone ahead because both prosecution and defence had closed their cases. It was felt, however, that his evidence should be heard, in all fairness to the defence. If nothing else, there could be no reason afterwards for an appeal, once all aspects had been addressed and discounted. I must agree.
The first person to appear this morning is Marc who, not knowing why he has been recalled, is no less angry than he was on his debut.
When asked by Mr Marson if he knows what is behind this latest turn of events, he answers no. Despite his annoyance and vitriol, it is easy to see he is frightened. Mr Marson does not attempt to enlighten him, merely asking him the same questions as before: his movements on the night of 31 December, the time at which he left the party he was at, when he arrived home, etc. It is just a repeat of his first appearance in court and his answers are the same as they were then.
Even though Mr Marson is kindly towards him, Marc is still swearing and abusive. The judge is forced to ask him to behave on more than one occasion but is nonetheless more than lenient with him. I am sure that he is becoming more perplexed by the minute, still not grasping what he is actually doing back here.
Mr Kadri is about to enlighten him and I want to remain in court this time. He struts forward and takes sweeping glances around the room before he begins. I can tell he is going to enjoy his moment, as he goes immediately for the throat.
Marc’s previous testimony is dissected in minute detail, as Mr Kadri tries to trip him up at every turn. He challenges the time he arrived home, whether his sister was or wasn’t there already, even the clothes he was wearing. Some very heated exchanges take place and I listen in horrified fascination.
Marc’s language is choice. For every challenge or insult that is thrown his way, he comes back with one of his own. It’s electrifying! On one occasion, Mr Marson has to stand up and protest to the judge. It is inconceivable that a witness can be treated in such a way, when no charge stands against him. At one point, Mr Kadri shouts at Marc, ‘Are you going to stab me?’ I wouldn’t have his job for all the tea in China.
Marc seems genuinely amazed when told that someone, identified as him, had been seen leaving his house early on New Year’s morning, and that the witness was a young man living next door to him. He was not aware there was a young man in residence next door and asks his age. Jim had already admitted that Marc was not known to him, he just knew of him.
In spite of Mr Kadri’s valiant efforts to make him say otherwise, Marc does not deviate from his original testimony. Mr Kadri is frustrated and thwarted at every turn. There are, however, a few light moments when Marc, though rude and abusive, really puts him in his place. I think everyone enjoys that and feels like giving the lad a round of applause, especially when he tells Mr Kadri he is ‘a stupid little man’!
When he is finally allowed to stand down and is thanked by the judge, Marc turns and fires one final round of expletives, this time at Little. He calls him a ‘f***ing murdering bastard’. Little does not flinch at this tirade.
Marc’s mother and sister are again brought back into court, one after the other. They are both as in the dark as Marc was about why they have been recalled. The police have told them nothing so what must they be thinking at this latest twist?
Mr Marson does no more than repeat his questions from last time. What more can he do? He does not have to cast a shadow of doubt on what they have already said. Mr Kadri, however, does and goes about it in his own inimitable way. They get the full treatment at length and again both retire in tears.
I need to keep reminding myself that it is the defence’s job to interrogate witnesses in this manner but it is very hard to warm towards this man. At least all three stood their ground under intense pressure and we can be thankful that not one of them changed their story from the original.
We are due a short recess now, a much-needed one after this morning’s shenanigans. Later today, we may see some more, for we are now aware of what is in store and await it with eager trepidation.
Because the defence played this card, the prosecution are to retaliate. Jim is being brought back for further questioning, which seems fair enough to me. This is expected to happen this afternoon and meanwhile the court adjourns for lunch. We have a lot to talk about for the next hour and we need to analyse what has transpired so far today. On the whole, none of us is too disturbed by the events of the morning and we are beginning to feel quite hopeful once more. We wonder how Jim will be feeling at the prospect of a second appearance. Not happy, with a bit of luck.
We don’t have long to wonder, as he is brought into court as soon as lunch is over. Like the three before him this morning, he has no idea why he is back. Our barrister makes short work of him and in no time at all Jim is confused and contradicting himself at every turn. He is clearly very worried. I hope that we can finally get on with the next stage of the proceedings.
When Jim leaves the stand, the judge decides to call it a day. It’s mid-afternoon on Friday and he feels the jury has heard enough. We can all go home for the weekend and prepare ourselves for next week, the third of this trial. On Monday will come the closing speeches from both sides, followed by the judge’s summing up. We shall need all our resources to cope with the next few days.
It proves to be an uneventful weekend, though not without a few concerns from other quarters. Kerry has already had to drive home and back again once while the trial progressed. Now things are even more difficult for her. Having left three children for two weeks so far, she is reluctant to do so for even longer. It is unthinkable, though, that, having sat through all of this, she should miss the final outcome. It is, after all, what she has been here for, and her presence has been indescribably appreciated.
Ronnie, too, has cancelled his flight back to Ireland twice now. Whatever happens, he must return on Wednesday night. He has commitments of his own at home. I cannot imagine how we are all going to feel if either of them is absent when the verdict is announced.