The Accused

The stage remains dark, but the audience can still see the jury room door. On the wall, the clock is showing 9.45 a.m. When the house lights dim, the Jury Bailiff steps through the door and addresses the audience.

Jury Bailiff Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury and thank you for reporting back in good time. The second day of the trial will begin with Mr Kersley’s final witness, Ms Jennifer Mitchell, Ms Mitchell is the Crown’s principal witness, so I would not be surprised if she was in the witness box for most of the day.

> Please continue to be vigilant when it comes to discussing this case with anyone not on the jury. If there are no questions, we should make our way back to Court Number One. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, please follow me.

The Jury Bailiff steps through the door, and when the lights come up, we are back in Court Number One, where we discover the barristers are talking among themselves while they await the entrance of the Judge and jury.

Ashton I’ve just bumped into Ms Mitchell as she was coming up the steps.

Kersley What’s she wearing?

Ashton Smartly tailored blue suit, very conservative, and virtually no make-up.

Kersley Good, that’s exactly the image I want fixed in the jury’s mind.

Ashton And I reminded her to refer to her father, Councillor Mitchell, as often as possible.

Kersley And under no circumstances to mention the reason she left St George’s at such short notice?

Ashton It was the last thing I emphasised.

Kersley Good. Then we can only hope that Sir James doesn’t know the real reason.

The attention moves across to Barrington and his junior, Jarvis.

Barrington And so we finally come up against their star witness.

Jarvis And how do we feel about that?

Barrington If Ms Mitchell is as innocent as Mr Kersley would have us believe, we’re in a lot of trouble.

Jarvis Surely not, after the roasting you gave Webster and Forsyth yesterday.

Barrington Yes, but try not to forget the doctor’s bag. Kersley made me feel like a pupil who’d just arrived in chambers, so if under his guidance Ms Mitchell proves a little too convincing, I may have to take the odd risk.

Jarvis What do you have in mind?

Barrington I might even consider asking the occasional question to which I do not know the answer. So if I put out my hand, (He makes a gesture.) make sure you pass me a blank sheet of paper.

Usher Be upstanding in the court. All persons having anything to do before my Lords, the Queen’s Justices, draw near and give your attendance. God save the Queen.

All rise as Mr Justice Cartwright enters and resumes his place. All bow and he returns the bow.

Usher Bring up the prisoner. (Sherwood enters the dock.)

Judge (to the audience) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, good morning. Mr Kersley, you may call your next witness.

Kersley Thank you, My Lord. I call Jennifer Mitchell.

Usher Call Jennifer Mitchell. (A woman of thirty, attractive and dressed in smart suit, enters the witness box.)

Guard Jennifer Mitchell.

Usher Take the testament in your right hand and read from the card.

Mitchell (quietly) I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Kersley Is your name Jennifer Alice Mitchell and are you presently working as a senior staff nurse at Wellingborough Cottage Hospital?