Neelu & Sabine trial: Day 3

This week we are covering the trial of Neelu Berry and Sabine McNeill, who face charges of conspiracy to commit witness intimidation. The following report has been pieced together from several reports we’ve received concerning today’s trial activities.

Yesterday we described the prosecution’s opening statement in some detail, and noted that one of the witnesses—whom we may now identify as Father Paul Conrad of Christ Church, Hampstead—had spoken from behind a screen.

This morning, Christ Church Warden Paul Goss was the first of 3 witnesses to testify.

He was followed in the afternoon by parishioners Sophie Dix and Valerie Goss. All four witnesses had made police statements concerning the events of 22 March 2015; the statements were to have been used in the case against Neelu Berry, pertaining to her role in that day’s protests outside Christ Church.

These statements were published on Sabine McNeill’s Whistleblower Kids blog on 10 April 2015, and as we stated yesterday, the prosecution alleges that Neelu and Sabine conspired to publish them in order to intimidate witnesses.

Of note: all 3 barristers—defence and prosecution—have stated that they agree that the allegations of Satanic ritual abuse and cannibalism were untrue.

Why we can’t discuss the witnesses’ testimony…yet

While it’s legal for us to publish the fact that the 4 witnesses have now testified, HH Judge Worsley made it very clear in court today that none of the witnesses were to discuss their testimony until the jury has made its finding at the conclusion of the trial.

We understand that this means today’s testimony falls under the heading of ‘prejudicial information’, and since we are all very keen that justice should not only be served, but be seen to be served, we are observing the judge’s admonition to the letter, and not publishing any details of the witnesses’ testimony.

Once the trial has concluded and a judgement has been made, we may be able to discuss some aspects of the trial that will be of interest to our readers, but for now we’re keeping our lips zipped.

Hallway gossip

Since the chaos of Monday’s proceedings, when various supporters had to vie for seats in the (tiny) public gallery, things have quieted down somewhat in the court hallways.

Yesterday some of Sabine and Neelu’s sympathisers seem to have taken their cameras outside the court, where they busied themselves filming one another. We understand that at least one or two of them were cautioned about taking pictures of supporters of the witnesses, and today they seem to have abandoned that activity.

As a result of the limited seat allocations, fewer supporters from both sides have been attending. In fact, because no one can be admitted to the courtroom once the witness screens have been closed, several seats in the public gallery were free this morning. We understand that Belinda and another supporter were turned away at the courtroom door, no doubt to the disappointment of her friends inside.

A stronger police presence in the hallways seems to have had a calming effect, as no one has been heard accusing anyone of being a Satanist, a shill, or a paedophile in the past day or so—a welcome relief for many, no doubt.

Of course, the accusatory glares and grimaces haven’t stopped, but we suppose that’s to be expected, given that the defendants’ supporters are so firmly convinced that they are being confronted with 100% Gen-you-wine Satanic Paedophilic Baby-Eaters.

Coming up tomorrow

The trial will continue tomorrow, with the prosecution expected to wrap up, followed by defence arguments if they so choose. We’ll bring you those details this time tomorrow.