“It was therefore no real surprise to me when in their turn, not on the same day of course that each of the clients indicated to me that they wished to leave some money to the accused.”
Honeysuckle then asked, “Mr Rochester this is a vital question please think before you reply. Did you at any time make it known to the accused that they had been left funds?”
“Yes I did, only casually of course I cannot be certain if I stated the amount, as you will appreciate the wills were made out on dates well apart so I would have mentioned this as each was done. I did this as I thought it would encourage the accused to continue the good work for my clients. Each of the clients also told me that they had also mentioned it to the accused though I do not know if the amount was mentioned.”
“Thank you Mr Rochester,” said Honeysuckle, “Is it correct then that as each death occurred your instructions were complied with. That is to say you complied with the Will of each of your clients. You paid out the amount to the accused and the remainder, other than your costs to the benefactors.”
“That is correct ma’am,” he replied.
Holding up a folder of papers which the court usher took from her she whispered to him, he walked over to Jordan and gave it to him.
“Are these the copies of the wills of your clients?” she then added, “Me Ludd the court, has been given copies.”
The Judge smiled, “I have my copy, learned clerk have the jury been given copies?”
The clerk nodded in confirmation.
“Mr Rochester, does each will indicate the amount of money left by each deceased to the accused, the remainder going to their other beneficiaries being their family and friends?” asked Honeysuckle.
“That is correct Miss Watts, “ he replied.
“As a matter of interest, is anyone named Black mentioned?” “No ma’am I have never heard that name before.”
Honeysuckle then ended her questioning, “Thank you Mr Rochester, please wait there.”
Hayes now stood, “Mr Rochester thank you for giving the court such an accurate though brief narrative, I have only one or two questions.
“I take it in view of the ages of your clients that on occasions you visited them at their homes, is that correct?”
“It is,” replied Jordan.
“Did you have a key to access the house?”
“No sir, I did not but there was a key available as there always was, it being left by relatives outside, concealed under a bucket or similar location. The nurse of course, the gardener, any cleaners or care workers also had access to it.”
“I see, thank you, Mr Rochester. So in all the cases as is often done nationwide, a key was available to all visitors serving the deceased and as you say, my clients. Did you ever visit whilst my clients were in attendance and if you did what did you observe?”
“Mr Hayes, I only attended whilst Mr Ron Gittins was working there, not the nurse of course for obvious reasons. From what I saw, Ron was simply getting on with his work. I didn’t actually ever see him in the house, oh just a minute there was one occasion when he came to wash his hands but that was all. All I know is what my clients related to me, that they were very good to them.”
“Thank you Mr Rochester, no further questions.”
Honeysuckle looked up clearly amazed, Hayes had gone no further, in fact all could see the expression on the face of Kyle Gittins that she was as surprised whilst Ron was shaking his head, clearly he was not aware of the name either.
Rochester then spoke, “Me Ludd may it please the court now that my evidence is complete, may I please be excused as I am due to fly back to the Cayman Islands to complete my holiday?”
Hayes interceded, “Me Ludd I would ask that you do not give such consent as this witness may be required to be recalled.”
The Judge concurred, “Mr Rochester please take a seat in the court, you have to remain until the case is ended.”
Rochester left the box and was taken across the room and given a seat next to his wife and the other witnesses.
He looked up and smiled at the Cheshire Set, and at the Delwright gathering in particular. Mrs Delwright blew one of her kisses, in response, he winked. His wife Eunice giving him a discreet nudge in the ribs, she missed little.
“Call Kyle Gittins,” said, Hayes.
Kyle was then escorted from the dock, across the court and into the witness box. She took the oath and stood waiting to answer the questions put to her.
Hayes looked up from his papers and said, “Nurse Gittins I think it would be prudent and save the court’s valuable time if you were to relate to the jury your function in regards to the deceased persons and what you know of the circumstances surrounding their deaths.”
All eyes now upon her, including those of the director of Medical Services for Chester, his solicitor seated by his side, discreetly, a tape recorder being held for future reference.
“I am a trained nurse, I have been qualified for over forty years. I hold the qualification State Registered Nurse, A Certified Midwife and a diploma in Health visiting. I am a member of the Royal Colleges of all disciplines. I served a considerable number of years in the Royal Army Medical Corps, both in this country and overseas. For over twenty years I have been a nurse in various disciplines here in Chester. For five years I have specialised in general aftercare nursing but also visiting the elderly.”
“I visited all the deceased persons in these cases. My duties were to dress wounds, administer injections, and other medication. I think I have been efficient in my duties for I have received no complaints.”
“I am sorry but I cannot assist much in this case, for other than caring for my patients as per my duties and occasionally bringing shopping items for them. In addition I have been called from home even during the night to treat and assist them whilst I was off duty. This was done at my own behest to foster good nurse-patient relations.”
“I was more than surprised to hear from Mr Rochester that each of the victims had left me money and of course to my husband. I had no previous knowledge of this. I do not recall any of the patients telling me, they were the type who would not do that. I also do not recall Mr Rochester doing so.”
“As regards their deaths, here I falter for you see as I did not do anything of the things that has been alleged there is nothing I can say. I did not administer any overdoses of drugs. I did not plan or assist my husband in any way in any action that would have contributed to their deaths. I am sure my Ron would not so either. I hope the jury will look at my record and judge me from that and my manner here today, as a kind nurse and a honest and truthful person. I have no idea who killed any or all of these victims.”
“Thank you nurse Gittins,” said Hayes, “please wait there, my learned friend may have some questions for you."
Honeysuckle stood and looked at Kyle, then commenced her cross examination.
“Mrs Gittins I note your qualifications and your seemingly skill in nursing which did in fact result in a very satisfactory and trusting relationship with the dead persons in this matter. I would put it to you that this was the reason you were so well placed to commit these crimes. You had an ideal opportunity to administer the overdoses we now all know occurred, you did do this didn’t you nurse?”
“No Ma’am, I did not.”
“Come now Mrs Gittins, please explain to the jury who else could possibly have the knowledge and skill to do it plus of course the opportunity?”
“I cannot say Miss Watts, but it was not me.”
“But what of the instances of the missing drugs you reported, surely this is how you were able to give the overdose. You falsely stated the drugs were lost then when a replacement was given you administered excessive doses, didn’t you?”
“No maam, that is untrue, I did find the drugs missing from my bag and I cannot readily account how they went missing. I accept I was negligent in doing so but I did not use the additional drugs to inject into any patient.”
“I see nurse, well perhap
s the jury will come to different conclusion.”
“Would you please explain to the jury nurse why you objected so much to the locum doctor refusing to sign a death certificate in the last death, that of Iris Carter. I put it to you that you realised only too well if a post-mortem was carried out the real cause of death would be known. It follows on that once one death was discovered the police and the efficient Superintendent Kinsella would then have discovered the other deaths, come now, please explain you protestations.”
“Miss Watts, I only objected to save distress to the family and for no other reason.”
“Nurse, I am certain the members of the jury will form a very different opinion of your aggressive and frustrated actions. I will now ask you this.”
“May I ask you Nurse? The court has been told that you offered to return in your own time to check on your patients I suggest that this was your skill and wickedness to return when there were no watchers to witness you committing these heinous crimes.”
“That is not true Miss Watts.”
“Mrs Gittins, as the prosecuting counsel I would summarise, not wishing to waste the time of the court going over evidence which has already been given by expert and other witnesses.”
“I put it to you again, you had every opportunity to commit these crimes, you were highly qualified to do so, there was a great financial inducement. Your access to the properties, the opportunities, no sign of any forcible entry by any other person. Mrs Gittins it is quite clear that you and your husband were the only two persons who had the opportunity, the skill and the motive to commit these crimes.”
“I did not do so,” replied Kyle.
Her cross examination completed she returned to the dock, and then Ron left and arrived in her place in the witness box.
Ron took the oath as he had done countless times since he was twenty years of age on joining the police service, though none as a defendant.
He related his years in the police and then on retiring he had commenced performing some gardening work to supplement his police pension. He denied any knowledge of the offences and confirmed he had never been told any of the victims was to leave him and his wife money. He completed his evidence by saying as he knew nothing about the crimes he could not say anything further but just rely on his previous good character to convince the jury of his innocence.
Honeysuckle was ready and immediately waded in, “Mr Gittins you committed these murders didn’t you?”
“No maam,” replied Ron.
“But fibres were discovered on the chair and on the clothing of the deceased. Your DNA was found and worse, in the case of Captain Lambert who died of Paraquat poisoning traces of this were discovered on your clothing. This poison can only be obtained under signature, the records show you did in fact purchase this obnoxious fluid. On the day of his death you were working for the victim and clearly you inserted the weedkiller into that barrel didn’t you?”
“No maam, “replied Ron.
“Come, come Mr Gittins please, who on earth else could have done so, it would not be the deceased."
“I am sorry but I have no idea how this gentleman came to take this but it was definitely not me. I am not surprised fibres from my coat were found for I explained that to the police, I went to help.”
“Mr Gittins like your wife you had ideal opportunity to commit these crimes and of course to assist and encourage her. You had motive, money. The facts clearly indicate you and your wife were responsible I now ask you to reconsider and confess what you have done. All the forensic evidence connects you directly. No other person could possibly fulfil all the criteria just you and your wife.”
“I am innocent, one hundred percent innocent,” replied Ron.
“I think the jury may well have different view as they will in the case of your wife. No further questions.”
Ron now left the box and returned to the dock.
Kinsella requiring to use the toilet and seizing on the moment whilst Ron was being taken back, she left her seat walked down and on passing Hayes, leaned over and whispered, “There you are Hayes, all is lost, give it up.”
Hayes caught her sleeve and pulled her near, then whispered, “Remember Captain John Paul Jones, I have not yet started fighting.”
He stood, “Call Mr Jackson Richards to the stand.”
Honeysuckle’s mouth dropped open, she could not believe her ears. Neither could Chief Constable Watkiss nor the Police Commissioner.
Richards entered the room following the court usher. It may well be the crown court a hearing before a high court judge but this clearly had not caused Jack Richards to deviate his mode of dress. He was wearing his old dark suit, carrying his old well used raincoat over his arm and of course still wearing his trilby hat.
Judge Stevens looked up seeing him enter the room took the file handed to him by Hayes clerk, who also turned and handed a copy to Honeysuckle.
Honeysuckle stood quickly, and called, “Me Ludd does Mr Hayes intend to call Mr Richards? If so I strongly object to this. My understanding is that this man is simply a retired police officer, he is not an expert witness of any kind, no qualifications whatsoever. He has from time to time been recalled to assist the police with some advice. I am led to believe he did so on this occasion though the investigating officer Superintendent Kinsella did not feel his services were required. The Chief Constable did however seek his assistance. Since then developments have indicated he was no longer required and thus I decided not to call him. The prosecution case is complete. I cannot accept it is correct court procedure for him to have been invited to assist by the Chief Constable and now is being called by the defence.”
Hayes then spoke, “Me Ludd, I accept what my learned friend has said but it is my belief from the papers you have in front of you, that in the interest of justice and I believe that is what the courts business is, the interests of justice. I would ask you Me Ludd to permit Mr Richards to relate to the jury the result of his enquiries.”
The Judge hesitated looked down at the file and then up, “Miss Watts,” he said, “Mr Richards to my knowledge, sitting in this court, the Old Bailey and the High Court of Justice in London for over twenty years, Mr Richards is not just a retired police officer he is a renowned investigator, one who gives great attention to detail. A witness, who has a reputation of presenting his evidence in a truthful and unbiased manner. I agree with Mr Hayes. In the interests if justice, the court recognises Mr Jack Richards. Usher, show this witness to the stand.
The Usher did just that and was joined by the Clerk of the court. He handed the testament to Jack to swear the oath then whispered to him .
Jack looking shattered removed his hat, clearly he had forgotten to do so. He then took the oath as he had done for over forty years.
Kinsella had a grim look on her face as did the Police Commissioner, he had never liked Jack nor did the Cheshire Set all now peering and whispering, clearly criticising Richards. Chief Constable Watkiss and Doris had a look of surprise on their faces, what on earth could Jack have discovered? If only his offer to look at his file been accepted.
Chapter 12
The court was now silent, all eyes on Jack Richards, he stood impassive in the witness box, for him this would be one of countless occasions addressing a jury.
Hayes commenced his introductory question, “ Mr Richards please confirm to the jury that you are a retired police officer of New Scotland Yard and that you have over forty years police service, the majority of which was investigating crimes including murder.”
“I confirm that,” replied Jack.
Hayes, “Is it correct that since retirement you have been recalled to assist the police with what has been described as unusual and occasionally cases that had, until you arrived proved unsolvable.”
Jack replied, “It is correct that I have been recalled to assist the police in an advisory capacity, normally reviewing the enquiries made, the evidence obtained and then assisting a regular officer with further enquiries.”
“Was this the circumstance in which you became involved in these cases?”
“I was requested by Chief Constable Watkiss to review the enquiries and if necessary make further enquiries, mainly to clear up points of ambiguity.”
“Mr Richards, will you please relate to the court what you have done in the matters currently before the jury?”
Jack commenced, “My Lord and members of the jury, I received a copy of the full file, this included the details of the enquiries made, the statements taken and of course the forensic evidence. I spent some considerable time reading and reviewing this information.”
“What were your conclusions and further enquiries you made Mr Richards?” asked Hayes.
The Judas Murders Page 26