“Since when do we have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?” (Lillian Hellman)
‘In a dramatic escalation of tensions over the role of juries in criminal trials, a Crown Court Judge has referred 24 people, including doctors, a priest, an Olympic Gold medallist, a retired Detective Sergeant and a former Government lawyer, to the Attorney General for contempt of court for holding up signs outside court. If prosecuted and convicted the 24 could now face up to 2 years’ imprisonment.’
The signs in question simply stated:
“Jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience.”
This message is simply quoting a plaque in the Old Bailey commemorating the historic decision in the Court of Common Pleas that judges “may try to open the eyes of juries, but not lead them by the nose.” This case “established the right of juries to give their verdict according to their convictions”.
So, although there is a plaque within the precincts of the Old Bailey for ALL to read, a judge has deemed it unlawful for the same words to be held up on placards outside the Old Bailey!
Why would a judge feel so strongly about this?
Back in February –March this year, three climate change protestors were given prison sentences. Serves then right, some would say – blocking the roads, causing a nuisance, disrupting ordinary peoples everyday business they deserve to be punished. Maybe, maybe not, but that wasn’t what they were imprisoned for.
They were imprisoned not for protesting, but for refusing to obey the judges ruling that they could not tell the jury WHY they were protesting, The judge refused them the right to explain to the jury that CLIMATE CRISIS was their motivation for protesting. When they ignored his instructions they were imprisoned for contempt of court.
It is a very sad day when a defendant cannot tell a jury the motives behind his or her actions.
It is even more worrying when holding up a sign quoting words on display within the Old Bailey itself also becomes a criminal offence.
I am usually not a great believer in conspiracy theories but you have to wonder why climate crisis protestors are forbidden to explain their motives to a jury when being prosecuted.