Chapter 46: No-one wants the judge offside

Once more Counsel for the Crown objected.

The judge reminded him, 'He's your witness, Mr Crown,' but also chastised the constable. 'Constable, I remind you to confine yourself to answering the question.'

Elisabeth asked her last question. 'Constable, finally, did Mr Waite give you any explanation as to why he was so extreme in the defence of himself and Miss Moody?'

'He told me he was frightened.'

'Of a boy who was lying close to death on the floor?'

'I object.'

She was beginning to get under his skin. 'No further questions, your Honour.'

There was nothing else she wanted to highlight. Her point had been to emphasise the brutality and sustained nature of Waite's attack upon Russell. She had not been able to explain it to herself, and she hoped the jury would have a similar difficulty. She also hoped Chief Justice Niemen's initial impression of her was not going to prove a lasting one. It was unfortunate to have a judge offside.

'Mr Crown?'