The Trial Begins

The court proceeding began much as in the same manner as the previous one. The first two weeks were taken up with jury selection and the entering of motions. In the first trial a year ago jury selection had taken a day. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Lewis each juror was questioned then excused if found unfit. After Mr. Lewis had excused the first three jurors the prosecution had also increased their efforts and selection became a battle of wits and courtroom maneuvers.

Isobel Crawley and Mary had both come to London to attend the trial as support for Anna. On the second day of the trial Mary had been too ill to attend in the morning. On the third morning when she was ill again, Isobel had inquired if she had told Matthew the news.

"What news?" asked Mary.

"Does your stomach hurt and are you queasy in the mornings?" her mother-in-law inquired.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Those are the symptoms as old as time. Not everyone has them of course, but most do."

"You mean, I'm pregnant?"

"I would believe so. I couldn't be happier."

At the beginning of December Mrs. Hughes arrived from Downton. Miss O'Brien was already at Crawley House. The women had visited while Sybil was in charge but had not known what to expect now that Lord and Lady Grantham were in residence and the house was fully open during the trial.

"Some of what goes on here is so odd," Miss O'Brien told Mrs. Hughes when she arrived. "Lady Sybil informed the family to light their own fires in the mornings when everyone arrived. That girl Maggie that just arrived from Ireland to care for the children gets two days off a week, as does Katie. They even allow the little boy to play in the dining room and eat with the family."

"Its really Lady Sybil and her husband's house now. The others are just visiting, as are we. Lord Grantham is still our employer though."

"I just wish this entire Bates thing was done. I can't imagine what kind of questions we'll be asked this time around," said Miss O'Brien. "I so regret getting involved."

"Anna knows and the good lord willing you can tell Mr. Bates himself when he is released."

Miss O'Brien had learned her lesson well. She refused to engage in any gossip with Thomas, Lord Grantham's valet while they were here in London. When he had made a disparaging comment regarding Lady Sybil's husband, the former chauffer, she had told him off.

"Lady Sybil and Mr. Branson were very good to me when I came to London to be interviewed by Mr. Lewis. They don't deserve your criticism," she had said and quickly gone back into the house.

Miss O'Brien was the first member of the household called to testify. The questions were much the same as the first trial and Mr. Lewis only asked her one question in cross-examination.

"Miss O'Brien, did you ever ask Mr. John Bates directly how he got the mark on his face?"

"No, I did not," she replied.

"No more questions," said James Lewis.

Anna was in a state of almost panic when they returned to the house.

"Its almost exactly the same as before," she said as she broke into sobs. Lord Grantham and Isobel Crawley were trying to calm her in the drawing room, when Tom heard the commotion and came through from the library.

"What's wrong?" he said.

"Not much has changed from the previous trial," said Isobel. "Its quite disheartening."

"From what I understand the differences will be in the defense witnesses," Tom said. "Try to take heart Anna, James Lewis has a good mind."

"Thank you, Mr. Branson," she said as she wiped her eyes.

The next day Mrs. Hughes was called to testify. Again she was asked about the conversation she had overheard through the grate in her sitting room.

"He called her a bitch," Mrs. Hughes testified.

"No more questions. Your witness."

"Mrs. Hughes," began James Lewis. "Did you at any time hear Mrs. Vera Bates refer to Mr. John Bates as taking the blame."

"Yes, I did."

"Could you repeat what you heard for the court?"

"Vera Bates said he had taken the fall for her once."

"Thank you Mrs. Hughes, no more questions."

Lord Grantham was called for the prosecution this time around as he was not listed as a witness for the defense. Again James Lewis cross-examined the witness but did not dispute the testimony.

"Lord Grantham how long have you known the defendant?"

"I have known John Bates for over twenty years. We served together in the Boer War."

"In the time you have known Mr. Bates have you ever known him to have a violent nature?"

"Never, he is one of the finest men I know. I owe him my life."

"Mr. Bates worked for you as his valet?"

"Yes."

"Were there opportunities for Mr. Bates to pilfer valuables from your home?"

"Yes, many."

"To your knowledge did he ever do so?"

"No, absolutely not. I trust him implicitly."

"Thank you, Lord Grantham, no more questions."

The next court day the prosecution called the police inspector who had attended the scene and done the investigation. The Crawley's and Anna watched Mr. Lewis intently throughout the prosecution's questioning. The man remained impassive with almost a disinterested look on his face. "What have I gotten my husband into," thought Anna. "I urged him to try again. This just can't be right." Throughout the proceedings John Bates looked more ashen and much thinner than he had done a year ago. He barely looked up as though he were a man with no hope left in his life.

"Detective Inspector," Mr. Lewis began as he stood to question the witness. "Were you the first attending officer at the scene of Vera Bates death?"

"No, I was the second officer called to the location."

"Did you and your colleagues conduct a thorough search of the premises?"

"Yes we did."

"From the coroner's report arsenic is listed as the cause of death. Did you find any trace of arsenic at the scene?"

"Arsenic was found in the teapot."

"I see. Did you find any other items containing arsenic on the premises?"

"No. We did not."

"How did you ascertain that Mr. Bates had purchased rat poison containing arsenic?"

"A friend of Mrs. Vera Bates told us that she remembered seeing rat poison on the counter when Mr. and Mrs. Bates were living together in London. She asked Mrs. Bates about it and was told Mr. Bates had purchased it for their cellar."

"Who was this friend?"

The Detective Inspector referred to his notes.

"A Mrs. Jane O'Connor."

"How long ago did this alleged conversation take place?"

"Seven months before Mrs. Vera Bates death."

"Are you quite certain Mr. John Bates purchased the poison?"

"Yes, quite sure. He has admitted it."

"Yet you found no trace of it on the premises. Detective Inspector, hypothetically, if you purchased rat poison for your premises, what would you do with it?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Objection, asks for conjecture."

"My Lord, I am only asking what the Detective Inspector would do himself, not a conjecture of what Mr. Bates or the late Vera Bates actions would have been."

"Over ruled. The witness will answer the question."

"If I had rats, I would use the poison."

"Thank you Detective Inspector, no more questions."

That evening the family gathered for diner. The Dowager Countess was not in London as the trip was becoming more difficult for her advanced years. For the days that they attended court they adopted a less formal style and served themselves from the sideboard, to allow everyone to accommodate their own schedules. Today they happened to be all in attendance for dinner at once. Those who had not been able to attend court were all ears.

"Mr. Lewis effectively shot holes in the police theory that John Bates purchased the poison used to kill Vera Bates."

"Well, that is something positive for a change," said Lady Cora.

"He seems to be picking small holes in the testimony of the witnesses," said Isobel.

"Let's hope they are huge holes by the time he is done," Lord Grantham declared.