The Jury

They're returning now.

Good evening. It was the case that shocked the nation,

but nearly five years after being found guilty

of murdering three women,

Alan Lane was today back in the headlines...

As the court of appeal dramatically overturned his conviction

for the killings of Holly Jackson,

Anna knight

and Rebecca cheung.

The case will now go to back to the old Bailey,

with all three murders being retried,

effectively starting from scratch.

The successful appeal is being seen as a personal victory

for controversial barrister Emma watts,

who replaced the legal team that represented Lane

at the original trial.

We're enormously encouraged by these developments.

My client, Alan Lane, is innocent.

The fight to clear his name goes on.

Thank you. (Barrage of questions)

This is a grave setback for British justice

and for the families of the victims,

to whom our hearts go out at this terrible time.

I have nothing more to say at the moment. Thank you.

The case will now once again go before a jury,

which won't please justice minister Eleanor Duncan.

She today launched another scathing attack on trial by jury,

calling it outdated, exploitative, inefficient, unreliable

and prone to corruption and abuse.

Radio 4: 'Here is an 800-year-old right,

which everyone has, to be tried

by his or her peers,

and it's regarded by most people as an absolute pillar of our constitution,

our society, that some fundamental human rights should be above that.'

'..for our present justice system to be in the hands of skilled, experienced, legal professionals

like justices.

We're failing to meet their rights to make thoughtful, important decisions.

This isn't just a cost-saving exercise.

The time has come for a radical overhaul of the system.'

morning.

Tea, paper and post.

Oh, you are lovely.

Do we dare open the curtains?

Oh! Bills.

Bills, bills, bills.

Ooh, there's one here for you!

I hope you're not in any kind of trouble.

Why would I be in trouble?

Her majesty's court service.

What business would you have with them?

Kristina! I've got to go!

Come up and say goodbye!

Taxi's here. Got to go.

Come and say goodbye!

Kristina!

Bye, darling... for you.

Mm-hm.

Blow! One big breath, go on!

Ooh! What is this? Birthday boy...

Oh! Money! 20 quid. Keep that safe.

With a picture of a computer on it!

She knows her grandson! Here, get on with them.

Dad? What?

This is a summons for jury service. What?

It must be a mistake. He can't do jury service.

No. Not with his condition.

Hello?

Lucy, have you left already? Yes. Damn!

What are you wearing? Wearing?

The usual stuff. Why?

I'd better bring some of my own stuff, then. Some Donna karan.

What? Trouser suit, probably.

That'd be best. Or something by Margaret howell.

Who's Margaret howell? I'm going to pretend you never said that!

The point is, I'm gonna need you to look as much like me as you can.

Why?

Move.

She'll see you now.

I have been reading and re-reading your letter all morning.

In shock.

I wrote it in shock.

When did all this start? Nothing has started.

Yeah, well, all right. The sentiment? The realisation?

A month. Maybe two.

And I have your word, nothing has happened?

No lines have been crossed? No.

So, what do you want me to do?

Um, I mentioned in my letter I've been summoned for jury service.

I can't lose a member of staff in the middle of a term.

I really wouldn't even mention this if I didn't think it was the best thing, the safest thing.

For everyone.

And then next term maybe we can look at the timetable

and make sure I'm not teaching him again.

All right. Go do this jury service,

and take the time to get this out of your system.

Thank you.

He's just a boy, Katherine.

17 years old.

What do you see in him?

There you are. Now, I need to give you my passport and driving licence.

For god's sake, don't lose them!

This is a bloody nightmare.

I don't understand. What's this all about?

Jury service. I've been summoned. I know, I should've told you before,

but what with everything that's been going on at work, it slipped my mind.

But you've got a meeting with the lawyers!

Which is why I can't go and need you to go in my place,

to defer. Where?

The old Bailey. What? Don't worry, it'll be fine.

Now, there's this whole section here about extenuating circumstances.

I think selling the company you've spent years building up

qualifies as extenuating circumstances.

But I'm your assistant! I don't look anything like you.

Well, that's not true. We're the same gender. Same race.

But not the same age. Well, if you er, if you pop these on,

put your hair up...

There! Dead ringer.

Almost.

There is huge security surrounding this retrial of Alan Lane,

which starts today.

It's the case that shocked the nation, as much for the details of the murders,

but also for what it revealed about the private lives

of the three women at the centre of it.

And police are already making extra resources available

for what's already becoming a media frenzy.

Shoes? What on earth do you want my shoes for?

Security, sir. We've got to check for bombs. In a shoe?

Where have you been for the last five years?

I don't know. Garden, mostly.

Right, ok. If you want to take the stairs to the fifth floor...

Who's next, please?

I think there has been a mistake. I have been sent this summons.

You'll have to take it up with the clerk.

Do you mind taking your shoes off, please?

You went all round the houses.

I told you that mount street was blocked.

You should have gone up the other way, round furnival street.

Honestly, how we ever got through...

Barely nine o'clock and playing to the gallery already!

Morning, John.

15 quid from liverpool street is an absolute disgrace.

You should try cycling. Oh, no, thank you.

The only exercise I take is walking after the coffins of my friends that take exercise.

Tres drole. I hope your defence is every bit as witty and inventive.

It'll need to be. He didn't do it, John. Bollocks!

I'll make mincemeat of you inside a week.

See you inside. I'll just finish this.

What did my mother used to say about ladies who smoke in public?

Probably something similar to what mine said about grown men wearing lycra in public. (Chuckles)

Right, who's next?

(Indistinct announcements on tannoy)

Ok. If you want to take the stairs to the fifth floor.

Who's next, please?

I won't be going into court rooms. I'm here to exempt myself.

I'm still going to need to see photo ID.

I know what you're going to say. What?

That none of us look like our photo ID?

Certainly true in your case. You're better in real life.

Clerk's desk's upstairs.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of everyone here,

may I wish you a warm welcome to the old Bailey.

Right, in court number one, please,

Katherine bulmore? Yes.

Paul brierley? Here.

Hi there. I've been summoned for jury service today,

but forgot to decline by post. Name?

Vestey. Theresa.

Kristina bamford? Yes.

Jeffrey livingstone? Here!

I'm sorry, Theresa, we won't be able to accept your deferral this time.

Why not? Because you've deferred once in the past.

Have I? I mean, yes. We had to do something.

People kept exempting themselves.

But I can't do it. I've got letters from my lawyers, my bank -

just hope you don't get picked.

Steve, can you take this lady to the waiting room, please?

This way.

Rashid jarwar?

Theresa vestey?

Theresa vestey?

Last call for Theresa vestey.

Theresa vestey?

God!

I swear by almighty god... I swear by Allah...

..That I will faithfully try the defendant...

..I will faithfully try the defendant...

..And give a true verdict... ..And give a true verdict...

..According to the evidence. ..According to the evidence.

Would the defendant please stand?

The particulars of the offence are

that five years ago Alan Dennis Lane met and killed three women -

Holly Jackson, Anna knight and Rebecca cheung.

The charge is of three separate counts of murder.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty.

Members of the jury, it is possible that many of you will recognise the defendant.

You may have read about him in newspapers and heard about the case on TV.