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Page 12 THE HERALD OUTLOOK Saturday July 14 UN Witness for the prosecution apologies to Agatha Agatha Christies book Witness For The Prosecution is a wonderful book Set in the Old Bailey in London England it weaves a suspenseful tale of intrigue and high courtroom The rapier minds of both crown and defense counsels thrust and parry to score telling with a jury of the accuseds peers The surprise ending leaves you tingling with excitement and wan ting to jump up and applaud the author with even a bravo or two thrown in Watching the late movie on television is not a must for me However when I saw the movie listed once again I marvelled at Christies creative literary genius Splendid book wonderful movie brilliant author why not delay the sleeping pills and watch it again Fat chance of falling asleep once the film started It would keep you wideawake Funny how things jog your memory Thinking about her book and movie brought back to me an inci dent which resulted in me appear ing as a witness for the crown Maybe was 23 or 24 at the time and with army training still in my veins I was no match for the enemy on that lonely spring morn m At this point in time I hadnt read her book or watched the movie so I had no idea what a courtroom look edlike As I look back now the trial of the accused was held in the old council chambers It was easy to see this was a makeshift cour troom even to a novice like me The judge used the mayors office for his robing room and his chamber A sparse wooden table would serve a the centre of legal opera tions for the crown The defence counsel had to operate his important looking folio from his knee with a plain wooden chair beside him Naturally a council chair for the clerk was already positioned The judge would occupy the mayors chair A chair naturally for the and witnesses This first time expenence for me was rather exciting but after Agatha s book I realized that it in no way could it compare with her research and description of the Old Bailey There was no Sheriff adorned in hat sword worn at the waist no lace sleeves or frilly jabot No white wigged Justice on the bench No silken gown worn by either crown or defence counsel to signal they were C s No sir Thompson the clerk had on a navy blazer as did Tom Grieve the bailiff Simple but dignified Everyone in town knew Wallace and called him Wally and Thomas of course was just Tom This was a criminal trial and although Wally and Toms dudes were mainly to do with small claims it was a costsaving measure to have them act as clerk and bailiff rather than bringing so meone in from Milton Wally and Tom acted in a truly professional way I was quite impressed It seemed to me everytlng was in order St Georgetown 8779896 CAKES British Breads Pastries J 8770596 HKS 330 Guelph St Georgetown fat Stones by Steamer The subpeona commanded that I appear as a witness at to a m on that date and I was there My Old Bailey experience was about to begin Tom shouted order with a military authority that old soldiers were to With a disapproving book from Tom and Wally I suddenly realiz ed I was to stand to attention while the judge in a black flowing gown whirled in and took his seat The accused was marched in by Cpt Joe 0 P senior of the local detachment and seated beside me He was much cleaner and quite amiable as he leaned over and whispered Hey Steamer I guess you will be testifying against me today Order shouted Tom torn represented law and order so I refrained from replying to my former adversary read Oyez all per sons having anything to do before Her Majestys Judge at this setting of the County Court Criminal Trial division draw near and ye shall be heard God Save The Queen Wally stood up and asked the ac to stand and to rhymeoff the never ending list of charges under the criminal code section soandso and sub section theft assualt resisting arrest and sundry terns relating no drivers licence ownership etc Now everybody who knew knew he had poor sight and a of a cast in one eye Wonderful fellow but a slight in one eye When the charges were read the looked over his glasses with what appeared eye toeye contact with me and said How do you plead I was a bit taken back but slid back in my chair with relief when my courtroom neighbor said not to the charges Mr Lloyd Dingle the Crown At from Mil ton got up and proceeded to summarize for the judge the violent actions of the ac cused in committing these offences and that witnesses would be called Joe was called first as a witness and was sworn in by Wally Mr Diagle then asked Joe to describe in his own words what happened that beautiful summer day to cause the accused to be placed under arrest and charged Joe explained how he spotted the accused passing through Georgetown in a stolen car which WILLOW LANE fOOOS I 00EY GOOD DELIVERY SERVICE 308 St 8731651 had been reported stolen earlier in the day The chase was on and it was on the top of Silvercreek hill before Joe was able to cut of the escaping law breaker and attempt an arrest Painstakingly Joe examined the accuseds wallet for proof of ownership drivers licence etc None was found in the wallet Next Joe explained how he dis counted an open case of beer partly consumed Damaging evidence I thought But this was dull stuff compared to what was to come Just as Joe was placing the ac under arrest I pulled up and stopped across the road from the flashing light of the cruiser The courtroom was silent as Joe went on at this moment as I was taking the handcuffs out of my pouch on my Sam Brown belt Mr over there asked me if he could help Momentarily I took my eyes off the accused to tell Mr to stand by and by George in that split second he ran This was the first time my name was mentioned and I know Joe meant well but he left the felt with the court that I was responsible for the fleeing of the accused How to be a Local Hero Imagine a Canada where people make giving an important part of their lives Where they make time in their busy day to think about how much they can really give in time and in money Where they dont wait to be asked to help Imagine the rewards of being one of those people Be a Local Hero BURGER Aa Georgetown 8773642 FREE TURTLE CUP With The Purchase of a Kids Club Meal VIDEO PLUS West of Georgetown Fruit BRING HOME A STAR NOW IN Family Business Internal Affairs Tremors Bloody Chemistry Peace Maker Reason To Die Much Much MorWi Guelph St Unit 8 Georgetown In his clean blue serge uniform with gold corporal stripes Joe seemed on the stand the epitome of those wellchosen few who pledged to Serve and Protect My mind slipped back to that day when I was called upon to help a mudcovered policeman in a deep dirty ditch overpower a raging bull The evidence Joe gave was an accurate and stimulating account of a violent struggle put up by a big guy who had no intention of being handcuffed arrested and placed in the slammer by either Joe or me No doubt Joes evidence was damaging to the accused The accuseds lawyer carried out a rudimentary cross examination and sat down The Crown called me and asked me to take the Bible in my right hand and proceeded to ad minister the oath The Crown asked me to tell in my own words what happened I pretty well told the same exciting story as Joe Counsel for the accused cross- examined He shouted at me you were trying to arrest my client werent you Me Counsel for the accused No If you werent trying to arrest him WITH the HERALD Your copy is available at many of our conveniently located dealers as GEORGETOWN GENERAL STORE Downtown Georgetown PKK UP YOUR FREE COPY OF THE HERALD TODAY PIZZA BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ON ANY SIZE PIZZA FREE DELIVERY Alter St Georgetown 8734499 QUICKPIK THE QUICK PLACE TO SHOP BAGGED MILK Homo Carton Cigarettes Cigarettes All Movies Mon Weekend New Movies Alt Older Movies NINTENDO Machine 3 Games 99piu la 3 Games Machine or Nights 15 what were you doing so close Me- An old friend who was an expert horseman told me The closer you get to a kicking horse the less chance you have of getting hurt Counsel for the accused I see You stayed close so you wouldnt Me Yes sir I was leaving the arresting up to Joe He was the policeman The Judge Before you step down Mr how did you know the accused was drunk Me I smelled beer on his breath and his speech was slurred your Honor Judge What did he say to you while you and the corporal were struggling that gave you an tion his speech was slurred Me He said he could lick two guys like me Judge And then what Me He djd your Honor He lick ed me and then Joe After the culprit got out of jail I got to know hime quite well Maybe Agatha cared for him but 1 guy I still do wouldnt have kind of liked the Home of The Best Country Music For Years I THIS WEEK FROM TUESSAT AMBUSH 226 Queen St E Brampton