The World Out There - 12. Twelve

The last witness the prosecution called was Gemma Clarke, Rhys Clarke’s mother. She was wearing a black trouser suit and white blouse as she strode into the courtroom, Liam was surprised by how much she resembled Rhys. She had the same pale skin, the same blonde hair, though hers was worn a neat long style, that day tied back into a ponytail at the back of her neck, and she even had the same strong profile to her face.

She had addressed the courtroom from the witness box with a voice as strong as her presence. She told the court, from questions promoted by Mr Spencer, how wonderful and loving her son was. She told them how Rhys had been her life and had brought light into her life, and how losing him had turned off that light. Lastly, she told them how well Rhys had been doing at school and how he’d been a model pupil. She knew no reason why Liam had killed him, though she called Liam “that Andrews boy”, Rhys had never hurt anyone, he’d had so many friends at school.

Mrs Stewart-Graham’s first question, in her cross-examination of Gemma Clarke had been straight-to-the-point.

“Mrs Clarke, you said that your son was a model pupil.”

“My Rhys was the best.”

“Then why was he disciplined so much for bullying?”

“Remove the jury now!” The judge’s voice boomed out across the courtroom.

Again the jury filed out of the courtroom, a very uncomfortable silence fell over the whole room as they did. It was only broken, after all the jury had finally left there and the door was closed on them, by the judge shouting back at Mrs Stewart-Graham.

“Mrs Stewart-Graham I warned you about this! This line of questioning is totally unacceptable!”

“Your honour, the witness opened up this line of questioning when she claimed her son was a ‘model pupil.’ I have evidence that he was disciplined, multiple times at school, for bullying other pupils.”

“My Rhys was a good boy and that little bastard knifed him to death because he was jealous of my Rhys!” Gemma Clarke shouted out from the witness box.

“Mrs Clarke!” The judge shouted back. “You are a grieving mother but there is no excuse for that kind of language and behaviour in my court.”

“Sorry, your honour,” Gemma Clarke mumbled.

“As for you, Mrs Stewart-Graham,” the judge then turned his attention onto her. “I will not have you blackening a victim’s reputation in my court.”

“But the jury needs to hear this. Rhys Clarke wasn’t the perfect angel he has been portrayed in this courtroom,” Mrs Stewart-Graham protested.

“I have spoken on this, and you will not undermine me,” the judge told her. “Change your line of questioning or stop asking questions of this witness.”

“Yes, your honour,” Mrs Stewart-Graham said, though there was a heavy tone of anger in her voice.

“Bring the jury back,” the judge commanded.

The jury were then brought back into the courtroom, but it seemed to take an age for them to file back into the jury box as they awkwardly took their seats. When they were all finally settled, the judge said: “Right! Mrs Stewart-Graham, continue your cross-examination.”

“This witness has told us far more than we need to know. I have no further questions for her,” she replied before sitting down, as Gemma Clarke glared back at her.

Liam felt that exchange had been important in some way, but he didn’t know how. He hoped the jury did, but he didn’t dare look at them.