My Day In Court

[d2dave]

Actually it was seven, supreme court. The story starts around twelve months ago. Our local footy team won the grand final, held on a Sunday. The following day was "Mad Monday". For those of you who do not follow footy, Mad Monday is a let your hair down and relax after a strenuous season(**** up).

On Mad Monday players dress up in fancy dress. Our Mad Monday was in one of our local hotels, and as we had just won a flag there was also lots of parents, including myself, grand parents and friends, in what was a real family atmosphere.

A person unknown to us came in about 8.30 PM. Half an hour later an incident happened where this bloke whacked one of our players. He then hit the bloke back, the blow causing him to fall, with the impact of his head on the tile floor causing his death two weeks later, after life support was switched off..

Our friend was charged with man slaughter. The case finished last week with what we believe was the correct verdict, not guilty.

Our friend hired a top QC to defend him, with a bill in excess of $150,000.

This is the first time I have ever sat a trial in the supreme court, and I did find it interesting. I have never wanted to do jury duty, I once was called but found an excuse. If called again I think I would actually enjoy it.

[RisingSun]

Always a very interesting time visiting court, even if it is just the Monday morning call over in the Magistrates Court.

[d2dave]

My last visit to a magistrates court was not interesting at all. I spent the next month walking.

[Ausfree]

Courts and Cemeteries are the same, keep out of them as long as you can!!!!

[Chucaro]

I just wonder what would happen if the accused did not have the $150000 for the legal costs

[Ralph1Malph]

I just wonder what would happen if the accused did not have the $150000 for the legal costs

They would still have enjoyed the same verdict.
As I have previously posted, my family is currently paying $$heavily$$ for a civil trial and we have learn't that paying for 'top' barristers and QC's is like having health insurance. You'll still be fixed if you don't have insurance but it'll be slower and you'll have a more junior but just as capable doctor - you may even die waiting.

I now believe, as does the OP, that we know scant all about our legal system and how it works. I have also avoided jury duty (as a Soldier I can) but would not avoid it again if selected.

As for Mr Whippy's case, I hope that justice has prevailed and all can put it behind them and get on with life. I do feel for the perp who has paid a somewhat higher price although argueably at his own hand.

Ralph

[Treads]

My last visit to a magistrates court was not interesting at all. I spent the next month walking.

So you were innocent?

[scarry]

So you were innocent?

Thats what they all say........

As for courts,never been there until one of my sons did some thing he shouldn't have done.
Cost him(me) $12.5K

He is still paying me back gradually....

I just hope he has learnt his lesson........

Some do seem to learn the hard way.

[superquag]

Thats what they all say........

As for courts,never been there until one of my sons did some thing he shouldn't have done.Cost him(me) $12.5K

He is still paying me back gradually....
I just hope he has learnt his lesson........

Some do seem to learn the hard way.

I feel your frustration.
One of mine was also foolish...and we've ended up paying for it, one way and another.
- So has he.

[d2dave]

They would still have enjoyed the same verdict.
As I have previously posted, my family is currently paying $$heavily$$ for a civil trial and we have learn't that paying for 'top' barristers and QC's is like having health insurance. You'll still be fixed if you don't have insurance but it'll be slower and you'll have a more junior but just as capable doctor - you may even die waiting.

I now believe, as does the OP, that we know scant all about our legal system and how it works. I have also avoided jury duty (as a Soldier I can) but would not avoid it again if selected.

As for Mr Whippy's case, I hope that justice has prevailed and all can put it behind them and get on with life. I do feel for the perp who has paid a somewhat higher price although argueably at his own hand.

Ralph

I don't fully agree here. After sitting through this trial I really believe that it was touch and go as to which way the verdict would go. With a lesser "suit" I am sure it would have not gone the way it should have.

As for the perp, here are a couple of facts from the case. He was 60 years old. He has come into the pub where no one new him. He tried to hang around our players, most under 25 yo. Someone asked him what he was doing here. (he did have a legal right to be where he was but morally he didn't) His reply "I want to be with winners". Makes him sound like a loser to me.

He lived in a caravan in a caravan park (trailer trash?). He had a blood alcohol of .18 and he drove to the pub. He came in with a bottle of Pepsi which turned out to contain port.

I did not see him myself, as I left the pub about 10 minutes before the incident. I am probably being a bit judgmental here, but personally I reckon this bloke was an oxygen thief, and probably deserved what he got.

Some might think I am being a bit harsh, but this is the way I see it, and I make no apologies for my feelings.