Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Let me present to you the facts, nothing more, nothing less.
My client was on the field to play the game of rugby. But there was another man on the field not interested in rugby. No sir. He wasn't watching the rugby ball at all. Ladies and gentlement, as you can plainly see in this video which has captured Mr O'Driscoll's actions in perpetuity, the accused runs - from a position well offside - directly at my client, pulling back his arm to strike, then renders him unconscious with an illegal and viscious blow with the elbow.
The video evidence speaks for itself at this point. My client staggers about the field, trying to play the game he loves in a fair spirit, but down he crashes again and again. And what was the penalty for such unwonted aggression? Such a mindless attack? Nothing. That's right, as unbelievable as it seems, there was no penalty upon the attacker at all.
Ladies and gentlemen, the man that stands accused before you is no rugby player. This was a deliberate and mean-spirited attack on the head of his fellow rugby player. An attack which left my client concussed and in danger of missing further games, and even of developing longer term issues which affect his ability to continue in his chosen employment. My client reserves his right to pursue this issue in a civil case.
But I am reminded that those among us who would defend this behaviour have shown us a still photograph. When you consider your decision, ask yourself this: why would they run from the video evidence? Why would they concoct angles and excuses for what we have seen with our own eyes.
I ask you, nay, urge you, to play your part in removing such outrages from the game that they play in heaven. Convict the accused and allow His Honour to send him away from our game for the maximum allowable period.
God bless you.
My client was on the field to play the game of rugby. But there was another man on the field not interested in rugby. No sir. He wasn't watching the rugby ball at all. Ladies and gentlement, as you can plainly see in this video which has captured Mr O'Driscoll's actions in perpetuity, the accused runs - from a position well offside - directly at my client, pulling back his arm to strike, then renders him unconscious with an illegal and viscious blow with the elbow.
The video evidence speaks for itself at this point. My client staggers about the field, trying to play the game he loves in a fair spirit, but down he crashes again and again. And what was the penalty for such unwonted aggression? Such a mindless attack? Nothing. That's right, as unbelievable as it seems, there was no penalty upon the attacker at all.
Ladies and gentlemen, the man that stands accused before you is no rugby player. This was a deliberate and mean-spirited attack on the head of his fellow rugby player. An attack which left my client concussed and in danger of missing further games, and even of developing longer term issues which affect his ability to continue in his chosen employment. My client reserves his right to pursue this issue in a civil case.
But I am reminded that those among us who would defend this behaviour have shown us a still photograph. When you consider your decision, ask yourself this: why would they run from the video evidence? Why would they concoct angles and excuses for what we have seen with our own eyes.
I ask you, nay, urge you, to play your part in removing such outrages from the game that they play in heaven. Convict the accused and allow His Honour to send him away from our game for the maximum allowable period.
God bless you.
]
