The Accused

Pause while the audience place their vote. This can be done with cards or a show of hands.

Jury Bailiff Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury. We will now return to the court, in order that your verdict may be known.

Jury Bailiff exits through the jury room doors, which split apart.

VERDIGT

IF THE AUDIENCE DELIVERS THE VERDICT NOT GUILTY:

Usher Silence in court. Bring up the prisoner.

Sherwood returns to the dock.

Judge Will the foreman please rise. Mr Foreman, have you reached a verdict?

Foreman (on tape, or from the body of the audience) Yes, we have, My Lord.

Judge Do you find the prisoner at the bar, Patrick Hugh Sherwood, guilty or not guilty of the murder of Elizabeth Sherwood?

Foreman Not guilty.

Judge (turns to face the defendant in the dock) Patrick Hugh Sherwood, you have been found not guilty of the charges laid before you and I therefore discharge you. You are free to leave the court.

Sherwood comes down from the dock and shakes hands with Barrington and Jarvis.

Barrington Congratulations.

Sherwood Thank you.

Jarvis Well done.

Sherwood Thank you both. But Sir James, may I ask you a question?

Barrington Yes, of course.

Sherwood Am I right in thinking that when a verdict of not guilty has been reached, there can never be a retrial?

Barrington That is correct. In English law, once a jury has acquitted a defendant he cannot be put on trial again for the same offence.

Sherwood (smiles) That’s a relief.

Jarvis So tell me, Mr Sherwood, how do you intend to celebrate your great victory?

Sherwood I shall go back to work, Mr Jarvis, just as Sir James predicted I would.

The attention moves to Kersley and Ashton, who are chatting on the other side of the stage.

Ashton I have a feeling it must have been a close-run thing, so what do you imagine tipped the balance?

Kersley The burn on his back, would be my guess. Pity Ms Mitchell didn’t stay to hear his evidence. I would like to have seen her face when the good doctor took off his shirt.

Ashton Perhaps the reality is as Sir James suggests, that having been rejected by Mr Sherwood she was simply seeking revenge.

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Kersley I’m not convinced it’s quite that simple. There’s something about this case that doesn’t ring true.

Ashton In what way?