There were three of us waiting for the public gallery. Because three family members turned up, we weren’t allowed in. ... However, five minutes later, an usher returned to say they had reorganised the courtroom (family members where the jury had been, three members of the press on the back bench), so we could come in. Such a relief!
However, disappointingly, Scott and Sarah were at all times in the dock, immediately to the right of the public gallery, obscured by frosted glass. So, they were not visible to me at all.
The judge started by saying that note-taking (the press excepted) was strictly prohibited. Not sure why. She made it clear that everyone present should remain in control of their emotions for the respect of the court and the dignity of Bernadette, and that if anyone felt that they might be prone to an emotional outburst, then they should leave now.
The prosecution spoke, giving reports by two of Bernadette’s friends, outlining how Bernadette’s murder has affected them and what a fun and kind and caring person Bernadette was.
The defence spoke. She challenged the idea of premeditation, saying that Scott always made frequent trips to the lock-up garage.
The judge made it clear throughout that Scott would receive a minimum sentence of 30 years. The only question was what might be added to that owing to aggravating factors—namely that the murder had been premeditated; that Scott was in a position of trust and care, which he sorely abused; and that he refused to reveal the location of Bernadette’s body—the cruellest aspect of which would be to cause some members of Bernadette’s family to hold onto the hope that she would one day reappear.
I was surprised, therefore, when the judge only added two years onto Scott's minimum sentence for these aggravating factors.
The judge spoke in the strongest terms of Sarah’s crimes. She reminded the court that the maximum term for perverting the course of justice is life, and that she had done so for the most extreme crime, and in doing so had delayed investigations thus ensuring that vital evidence was lost and any hope of finding Bernadette’s body was destroyed.
From the way the judge was talking, I was expecting her to deliver a 15-year sentence. So, I was shocked and very disappointed (as are we all) that she only gave Sarah 6 years. This could mean, of course, that as she’s already served a year, she could be out in 2 years. This doesn’t feel like justice at all.
