Hi all,
(General, jeffrey - sorry for the subject header, couldn't resist it!)
Without stealing too much of The General's thunder, yesterday was a good day for Scottish law!
Briefly for those who don't know, The General's case spun out over two days in April and May. Due to the late-ish start on day one, the case was obviously going to finish way past everyone's bed time, so an adjournment was suggested.
Yesterday was the conclusion. After some excellent cross examination from The General's brief, the prosecution's witness was found "wanting". Undermining the prosecution's case in my opinion.
Anyway, after a superb summing up by The General's brief, the JP delivered a not guilty verdict on the grounds of "sufficient reasonable doubt" as to the prosecution's evidence.
Myself and jeffreyarcher (not to mention The General's family and friends) who had been there for the two days, almost jumped into the air and gave each other high-5s! How The General kept emotionless in the dock I will never know!
jeffreyarcher and myself were in agreement that to a certain extent, the district courts in Scotland seem to have a greater degree of separation and autonomy from the police and Procurator Fiscal than the magistrates courts do in England. Whether or not this is the case throughout the whole of Scotland I couldn't tell. I have to say though, that from reading other posts and from speaking to various people, if The General's case had been south of Hadrian's wall, then the Sassenachs would have convicted him!!
A minor triumph for Scottish law!
Well done to The General for his dogged persistence and determination.