Jury Duty

Post by Shy Ted

I’ve just finished Keith Windshuttle’ “The Persecution of George Pell”. Recommended read exposing the criminality and venality of PMs, Premiers, Judges, top cops and detectives and, of course, the media with two journalists in particular exposed for their malice. It got me thinking to one of the two times I did jury duty.

Outback Qld town, historical child sexual abuse case, couldn’t get out of it. Complainant, 19 year old (13 at the time) Aboriginal-heritage girl who, after education session at school thought, “hey, that happened to me”. Defendant looks guilty, black cowboy hat, drooping moustache, tough guy image.

Day 1, in and out of the courtroom several times for legal arguments, we know not what. It’s nothing like the smooth delivery of TV. Police prosecutor looks 19, very nervous, hesitant delivery. Defendant’ solicitor could be her twin except he has more acne. Complainant is not in court so we see her evidence, the police interview. Dick Dastardly was at neighbours BBQ where everyone was in the pool, indulging in various intoxicating substances. He lifted her out of the pool when he noticed she was falling asleep.

“Where did he touch you?”

“He lifted me out of the pool.”

“Did he touch you on the breasts?”

“No.”

“Did he touch you at the top of your legs?”

“No.”

“So where did he touch you?”

“I don’t know, I think I was asleep.”

“Did he put his hands or his fingers inside your swimsuit?”

“No.”

Minutes later defence calls for audience with judge. Jury files out again.

In the jury room – “evil bastard”. “Lock him up and throw away the key”. “What has he actually done?” “Just look at him.” “Her evidence says he didn’t do anything.” Silence.

After not very long court official tells us we can go home. “What happened?” “Sorry, can’t say but trial not proceeding. Thanks for your service”.

Much has been written in recent times about the laying of charges in sexual assault cases where there is no or substantially no evidence. When you think about the process, lowly copper taking a statement, presenting it to senior officers, decision making, legal opinion, decision to charge, paperwork, defence solicitor appointed, jury summons issued, jurors lives interrupted, additional hearing and so on and it’s all paid for by you and I for a case for which there is no evidence… How many of these people receive any sort of sanction for pursuing a case with no evidence?

There are the big names cases – Pell, Hayne, Lehrmann, Garside, Porter, Tudge. The sports stars whose cases mysteriously disappear. It seems nobody is too small to wrongly charge.

Today I hear Queensland has just changed it’ sexual assault laws. Now media can publish the name of the defendant before trial except in cases of cultural or other sensitivities before the trial. As if they haven’t already. It’s a good job people are so fair-minded that they would never confuse a charge as actual guilt.

The first question on the appalling Q&A this week was about Kylie Tink, who might be a Teal, and how she was made to feel “unsafe” in Parliament House. No names of course, no clear descriptions, allusions of blowing on her neck or standing too close but a baying, sandal-wearing audience knowing how brave she was. Not a sceptic in sight. Meanwhile Mr Zain Khan, errant Melbourne CBD driver whose car struck a number of people and vehicles has already disappeared from the media. No interest in how he came to be in Australia or how, after assessment, the mental health team said “not mentally ill. Responsible for his actions”. But it’s definitely not terrorism although it meets the definition perfectly.

The elites have no intention of ceding their criminally-won gains. The wagons have circled around Milligan, Drumgold, Thorpe, Tink et al. In the olden days one of the key features of psychopathy was pathological lying. Pathological lying is now a key feature of politics, the law, the media and all the institutions I can think of. They hate you. Prepare accordingly.

Shy Ted considers himself a bit of (not a lot of) a veteran of 
rural and remote life, mostly, but not always, nursing. 
Most of what you might read about in the media, other than the 
superficial headline such as doctor shortages, is nonsense. 
It’s interesting, challenging and rewarding and not for the 
faint-hearted or ideologues. 

Where necessary, names have been changed to protect identity.