He hasn't said a word since we found her
Ms. Alvadia. Are you alright?
l am police constable, O'Connor!
l think we need to get herto hospital
You are okay!
l am going to die
We are going to find someone here to talk to you
Alright!
Bitch.!
What?
Bitch tried to call me!
Oh....How can it be?
This is where it started
The victim sprang out of bed
And fled down the stairs..
managing to set fire the everything where he touched down the way
Before finally...
Ending up in a quivering heat..
from the front loan and outside
because he was 500 degrees somwhere
Case is solved!
That is what l thought first..
But look again!
Not exactly flash clean, is it?
Where is the wife?
l will be back in a minute!
You know why could you use this?
l know they are handful
Boys are always the hardest
My name is James!
Can you tell me yours?
lt's okay!
l don't need to say anything if you don't want to!
Kiran!
Sorry!
My name...Kiran!
What happened?
Say something, girl!
What happened to you?
Kiran Jeet!
What wrong with her... ls she hurt?
Who are you?
Mother-in-law... Who are you?
Kiran Jeet Adavalia!
And Mrs. Adavalia!
l am detective sargeant...come with me!
Mrs. Adavalia...please
Kiran..What do they want?
Kiran Jeet...Kiran Jeet.!
Why are you taking her?
Avadalia into the ...court!
lt is now 9:30 am., Tuesday
the 19th May, 1989
My name is detective Sargeant, Maiz
Also present in the room is constable, James O'Connor observering
Mrs. Alavadia is aware why this interview is being conducted
with sargaeant present!
Mrs. Alavadia..there was a fire..
...at your home last night
Your husband was very badly injured
Have you any idea how the fire started?
Your husband has made a very serious allegation against you
That you understand!
Would you like to translate the prison?
terminating interview at 10:39 a.m.
Ask her, Now!
With all due respect sir...
l thought it might be easierto ger confession if she actually knew what we are asking?
Three, four months....oh....Six...
l can see you could tell me
Perhaps she will be more comfortable with no senior officer observing
This is my ....
That was totally rubbish
Punjabi!
What?
l believe she is Punjabi detective sargeant!
Oh well...clever one.
l tell you what!
Now what do you say?
Good luck!
Resuming Adavalia's interogation on
..May 09, 1989 and time is 10:42 a.m.
Do you recognize any of these arms?
you should do because all three foes were taken to hang
Mrs. Adavalia..
The fire..it was not an accident at all!
Hey...
Answerthe questions
Fine!
You don't want to talk!
l am talking to you
Your husband was asleep!
And you burned him in the room
You thrown a candle
And yourfingerprints are on candle, as well as bucket!
So come on and tell us why did you do that?
Why... Why did yo do this?
Right!
Kiran..lt is okay!
l know you are frightened, but no one here wants to hurt you
We just need to know what really happend?
l want to see my children!
Just tell us first what happaned? Then you can go to your children
l liked him and he beated me
Not exactly a confession!
Not exactly....She....!
We don't know why she did it?
But why did she do it?
ln case she might...?
That will enough forthat sargeant!
We have enough to charge
Show the lady to her cell!
Fireball Mum Torches Spouse.. Fireball Mum Torches Spouse
Asian Mum Torches Spouse
Hey...that's my copier!
lt's the bank's now
What?
l am really sorry about that!
Jamila!
l know..l know... Don't worry l am handling it!
How we are supposed to make flyers without a copier?
Very funny!
lt's not a big deal..Raadha!
This couldn't happen at a worst possible time
Look l found our next case!
oh..l have a view..especially you both are indians and find a new case
Shut up...Aasha!
Are you joking?
l mean..We are here to handle the victims of voilence, not the ...?
Yes!
How do you know she has been abused!
whilest would you set your husband on fire
because you ran out of chrcol
We can't take every case that takes offense
l mean...We have to got the resources
What happened to the fax?
Speak up when l call your name?
Adams Sabrina!
Hi.
Alaaavil Abrania...Kiraaan..!
Bloddy hell....This is my foot
Answer her..
yes. Next time..louder!
Plea Jacqueline!
Back again!
l am loving here
Roberts Jenoina..!
Yes..
This way ladies!
Come on... Get a move on!
Right ladies...these are your prison handbooks
Everything you need to know are in these pages!
So don't lose them!
That way!
Alooo... You are the next!
Empty your pockets please!
Take off your jewellery please!
All of it!
Now your clothes please
Come on...there are others waiting. Take off your clothes!
What's the problem?
We never remove clothes even in front of our husbands
These are the rules!
Okay
You will do one at a time
Trousers are the first!
Welcome to__ home, ladies!
Hey...this one is yours
Not...you not follow me!
Home sweet home!
Would you step?
Deepak...Where have you brought me?
hold on...just hold on one more minute
Are you ready?
Open!
For us!
Yours and our baby
What are you waiting for.... An invitation?
Nice and shine!
Who?
My name is Ronni!
Do you have a name?
You can if you want to tell me!
Kiran!
Kiran..You missed the breakfast!
Wow...how did that happen?
Merry Christmas lady!
So...what did it cost us?
Nothing!
But it might ad 50 pounds monthly bills
oh...We can barely afford the all payments!
Tea!
lt is the least we can do!
lt is going to serious this time
You are gonna to have to be much more careful
lt is a miracle l was able to secure your lease forthis place at all
l can't go against their belief system
l guess because a lost cause is better than no cause at all
You know that sounds profound
Shut up!
Thank you!
Mrs. Avaldia...l am Chriss
This is Ms. Mariontall, She is a barrister on this case
Pick something foryou from your mother-in-law
You spoke to the police without a solicitor That was very clever!
Was it?
l want to see my children!
Yes.
You will have to arrange that with her l am afraid
When l go home?
Mrs. Alavadia.. You are charged with attempted murder!
Right now you are on remand, but..
if you convicted you may be here for a very long time
Why did yo do it?
l was afraid!
Of who...Your husband?
Why?
Mr. Jones..Would you mind stepping outside for a moment?
yes l think
Bloddy hell!
He did that to you...that night!
Many nights!
Mrs. Alavadia l am deeply sympathetic, but
l have to be honest!
As your husband was sleeeping in bed when you set him on fire
And you were no in imment danger..
According to the law..We can't claim self defence
l will do what l can!
Kiran...We are going to be late!
The films starts...
No yell...l am coming
lt is good...bought it on a sale
Do you like?
Why are you wearing?
l want you to get changed..Now!
Did you hear me?
Rajiv, Sandeep...the food is ready
You don't...other people have to use the phone too
Who is on the phone, grandma?
No one... Wash your hands quickly and take food
What this?
Beef!
l don't eat beef!
You come to home on dinner. yeah...l will
But today... today is my treat
Man you are unbelieveable!
Come one man... Can you ask your lovely lady for dance?
No l can't dance
lf she wants too.. You can take her up
No...
Don't worry...Come one Your husband doesn't minds
Me...
He is a nice man... Fun to be with him!
Don't be silly..
He was just being friendly!
lt was only one dance
That because you insisted!
Do you need water?
How stupid you are talking?
Why are you staring at?
l should leave
No just saying...you know
You think...you are very clever
You can have that
Please take a seat?
Hey!
Hi
l am Raadha Dallal
Have you heard southwall black sisters?
This will tell you a little about us!
You can keep it!
We are a support groop. We work with women!
Women who are beaten up and abused by their husband
Do you speak Punjabi?
No... But l understand it
l once had a Punjabi boyfriend
Kiren Jeet l really want to help you!
How are they treating you in here?
How do you feel?
l feel..
...Free..
Dead
Yes
Are you alright?
God, please forgive me
l know it is a horrible news
l had been working with the prosecution
towards the reduce the minimum jail time
But now Kiran!
They are bringing the charge of murder against you
lf you are convicted it is a mandatory life sentence
Don't worry!
You are looking very pretty
l don't even know him!
You don't need to
He is my brother-in-law's friend in London
He will take good care of you
But sister...what about my education?
Who's stopping you?
He doesn't mind
lt is the copy of pathalogy report
in regards to deceased, Deepak Alavadia
Could you tell the court what you found?
There were trace emelents of other chemicals and oils
mixed in with the patrol poured over victim
chiastic soda it caused the reactions
similiarthat of the
ln what way?
lt caused the liquid too stick to
the victim's flesh
and keep burning for a longer period of time
ln fact it cooked the flesh right over his bones
Thank you docotr
Your honour with your permission l would like to introduce exhibit Ato the court
Granted!
Shiela Alavadia..you have been called
Mrs. Alavadia..how would you describe your daughter-in-law?
She is very elegant, always order Deepak around
The defence has made statment that your son
assaulted the defendant on many occasions
Did you witness any of these alleged
attacks?
lf the oil isn't hot enough
Fritters burn outside but remain uncooked inside
lt's that simples
What are you doing here?
You embarrass yourself
Shut up, bitch
Mom...he cheats me
He is going out with a white woman
Her boyfriend has been making threatening calls
Have you gone mad?
You will kill her!
Leave her...Do you want to kill her?
No..l didn't see anything
Mom...Didn't you son moving herto your home
leaving the defendant with small children
for a brief time early this year
But she drive him away
Right
Because she was arrogant, demanding even. Correct!
She used to treat Deepak like a servant
My Lord..defence has submitted a copy of letter C
written by care to her husband when he
left his past March
lt was originally Punjabi, but it has been translated
into English for exhibit
Would you please read the highlighted portion?
my English is not good
Allow me then
Deepak
lf you come back l promise you l will do whateveryou say
l wouldn't drink black coffee, l wouldn't watch T.V.
The children needs you.. Please come home
Mrs. Alavadia...Do these sound like the words an arrogant woman?
yes l think so
But what?
So what do you want to me?
Before you!
lt is yourturn now
You were the first on the night of question
Correct!
Yes mom!
How would you define the defendant to met when you first encountered to her in backyard?
l am sorry...l don't understand the question
l will ask again!
When you first encountered Mrs. Alavadia that night...
Would you describe herto me as alert and attentive or
perhaps dazed and incoherent
She seemed lucid and aware of her surroundings
He is lying!
That will be all, constable
Dr. Stillman, where do you currntly practice medicine?
l currently have my own practice in greenpark
And previously
Two years at the Housten Emergency Center
Do you recognize the defendant?
l do
Okay
Now try rotation from the shoulder!
lt is okay l am just going to check your site
Okay...the good news is that nothing has broken
But you will have to wrap on your wrist and abdomen for several weeks, however
You said this happened in a fall
Yes...
l understand!
Mr. Alavadia l was wondering to you wife's site
ls that really necessary?
We have to pick up our son from my mother's
Look l really think you will be abased
Mrs. Alavadia...is there anything that you want to tell me?
No...
Docotor...Do you still believe that defendant was an abused woman?
Yes...l do
Thank you...No further question
You have to, Kiran
My English is not good
They will laugh
No one is going to laugh on you. The court will arrange interpreter
Look...l am running out of options
At this time our best hope is to put you on the stand
in hope that jury is sympethetic to you
l cannot!
lt is too shame
What, shame..Too shamefull
ls that you were ashamed?
Deepak was the one who should be ashamed?
Not you...lt is not yourfault
Council forthe defence... Have you other wittnesses?
Defence rest...Your honour
Very well!
Members of the jury you may now retire
and consider all the evidence in the case
You heard statements that the victim, Deepak Alavadia
did on ocassion inflict bodily injury on the defendant his wife
However, it would appearthat none of
these injury was of the highest severity
What rubbish?
Silence!
Any more of this and l will have the gallary cleared
The fact that the most recent incident took place of full two hours
before she poured all patrols overthe deceased
and then ignited it with a nugget flame
This alone is reason not to consider either a plea
of self defence or provokation
lf you cann't reach a unanimous decision
l will accept a majority verdict
Court will now adjourned while the jury delibrates
lt might not be today, but could be enough for days
You could still go either way
lt doesn't matter
What? Why did you say that?
l made a sin
l must beaten
Has the jury reached the verdict?
Yes, my Lord
Defendant will rise
Did the jury find the defendant guilty or..
not guilty of one counter murder?
Guilty!
Order... Order in the gallary!
or l will charge you with contempt!
Silence!
Kiran Alavadia you have been found guilty of a murder
l hereby sending you to life imprisment
Court is adjourned!
l am sorry!
Hey..
Why?
Here we are... Prison playtime
and for one hour
Hi lovely to see you
You are one crazy white woman
Jesus...
Kiran...She is my friend!
We have Jackie
We have met
This is lovely Luilla
Lovely Luilla works in canteen
so next time you need something special you ask her
and she will arrange
Vegetarian...Right
Don't worry l will take care of you
Put some meat on that
And lastly, but leastly, we have Gladys
Screw you too Ronni
She is a good clean girl and we love herfor her boobs disposition
l think l should leave
No...
Why are you here?
so it is obvious l have a bit of substance abuse problem
How do you think she miss him?
And you?
Ronni is very brave...She stabbed her husband
Why?
l told him if he raised his hand on me again!
lt will be his last time
Because he doubted my sencerity!
And you are not sorry
No...neither when l did it 8 years ago
Don't even ask about Gladys
Just because l didn't want to wash my dirty in public like anyone else
How are you doing? Your son is much better!
l can sleep better now
Getting use to to new place
Right!
Listen...The reason l wanted to talk
the judges handed down yourtariff
You will be eligible to be rolled in 12 years
Kiran...Are you there?
So long!
The last six months of your remand will count towards it
l will not able to see my songs for so long
l am so sorry
l was there for every day of yourtrial
l was upset the way everything went
Why have you come here to see me now?
To help you with your appeal, Kiran?
l already have a lawer
yeah and what a great job she has done foryou
Has she begun working on your appeal?
Has she spoken to anyone?
Tell me Kiran...Has she even come to see you since you were sentenced?
l thought not
Time is running out foryour appeal
We will find you a better lawyer
Someone actually who can do something foryou
Kiran...Let us help you
Do you really want to help me?
Yes
Bring me my children, please
No.
She is their mother
l know who she is!
She is the bitch that killed my son
Don't come here again
You know she slammed the door on me so fast
l almost lost the door
And l guess nothing more we can do!
What are you saying?
We should just abandon
We should just let her do
Hey..come on...it is no point anyway
The mother-in-law will not give the children
without court order
You are a bloody brilliant
Not so quick
Yeah..Read this!
What does it say?
lt is a court order!
lt instructs you to deliverthe boys to me so that l can take them to visit their mother in jail
What if l refuse you?
Then they will be visiting you in jail, as well
well!
We are in!
Come on..You go right in
Good boy
Sandeep...Get him
l have an appointment to meet her lawyertomorrow
l don't believe it
How did you get these children?
With this court order
But this is an old one from another case
yes. l remember dragon lady had trouble reading english in court
So l took a chance
You are evil
Hey...Baby you have seen nothing yet
Scott Veronica!
Look at her!
So what can l do foryou?
l am with southwells black sisters
l guess Kiran Jeet had told you that l will be stopping
Right
So what can l do foryou Mrs.?
Mrs. Dallal....But you can call me Raadha
As you can see from the condition of my desk l am not in the position
do discuss this
ls that what you are going to tell Kiran?
when she asks why you missed the cut off date for her appeal
She has only two more days to submit grounds
or her setence stance
And you are saying that you don't seem prepared
Ms. Dallal let me be frank with you
l know your group and the work you do
l find a lot of it be quite commendable
l couldn't do your job
By that same turn
l also wouldn't walk into your office and
tell you how to do it?
l have not been for weeks, sometimes
all night looking for something, anything
on which to challange this conviction
l may not be one of those stuff shirts on
billing 500 pounds an hour and billing brandi in the club
But l know the law
And the honest truth is...
The verdict was accurate as a matter of law
l am sorry
l feel for hertoo
But there is just nothing else to be done
l suppose then we will have to look just a little harder
Deepak!
Oh! lt's you
You got very late
What is this?
Alcohol?
You are beautiful
You have drunken a lot
No Deepak...Not here
What are you doing?
Think about kids!
lt is okay
You are safe
You are okay
l killed my husband
l have been married to Deepak for 10 years
Not one night...
He beated up...
He sometimes..
Can l hug you?
So you killed him!
good!
l was born in the village of Chak Kallal
ln Punjab
l was youngest in the 9 children and the most loved
My father died when l was only few months old
My mother died of cancer when
l was 16 years
She wanted me to become a lawyer
So why didn't you do that?
My husband didn't allow me
lt is a free country Kiran
You can be what you want to be
But my family say get married, have children
be a proper lndian woman
l was a housewife in Bermingham
But you wouldn't be here
That was something worse than prison
Big word. Shoulder
Big word. but wrong word
lt needs..
l need you
yeah..You need me
Don't worry..l can be better
lt was becoming unbearable
She had only one desire now
having...bus...
heaving..
Next
Avadali!
Next..
What are you doing?
l need 60 pouds
60 pounds...why so much?
How will l manage the household expenses?
Where are you going?
l know who you are going to meet
You should be ashamed
l am carrying your baby
Get out of the way!
No
l said..move...!
lt wasn't my fault
Are you alright?
How is the baby?
l am sorry
The children love their books... lt was very thoughtful of you
Thank you
WOW..Kiran your English is really improving
lt is all thanks to Ronni
l really wanted you to meet her
So what is the situation with Kiran's appeal now?
Our solicitor barely meets the deadline
lt is now overyear and we are still waiting forthe hearing date
Well that is the biggest challange. Who will work for no money?
Yes....please hold
l said no interruptions
l am sorry sir...but your sister is on line
These are you rboys
They are beautiful
Do you have children?
Two girls
You miss them
Every bloody day
Do you have any idea what is this about?
No..l didn't know two hours ago..
l certainly don't know
There is no need of such attitude.. l was just asking
Nice necklace
Nice tie!
Lord first will see you now
Hello.. How did you do?
Please be seated
Can l offeryou something..tea, coffee, etc
No thank you
l would like to have some tea with milk, please
thank you both of you for coming
l am well aware of timeliness of this case
So l feel
lt would be in every body's interest if you..
would continue Mr. Gupta as a solicitorforthe proceedings
Obviously we have full access to our..
Thank you
Sorry...Sir... We are a bit confused
About what?
Well about what we are doing here?
Oh...l do apologies..
l assumed you have been told
l will be the council for Mrs. Alavadia
for her appeal
What?
But why would you take?
Sir..Are you aware of that we have no funds to pay foryour services?
No need to ask friend...l will do this as a favor
To whom?
Favorto my sister Veronica Scott!
She is acquainted with your client at Marvin Hall
lndeed l believe they are cell-mates
You are her brother!
To be perfectly honest l was surprised to get her call
We have multiple relationships at best
She wouldn't even me helped her with her own legal case
She must consider Mrs. Alavadia to be a very good friend
Hi..
What?
You are welcome!
Okay...now l am having trouble brathing now
Jamila..!
Can't you read English?
Can't you?
This isn't stupid words...it's a woman life
No bails means no bails
So sorry officer
we will remove them
See you too
Are you crazy...? we aren't going to remove them
What?
l don't believe this
Nuna..What is happening?
lt's Gladys...Come on
What are you talking about?
That is right
She is a child killer
l am wonder how you can keep quiet
No
What do you want to know about No
Piss off
Leave her alone
You are telling me what l do
Why?
She is a friend
And l don't like police
You will need to get me too
Whatever!
You are no need to assist someone
...Hey
That was an accident
l was doing a lot of drinking
And one night l was making
to fell asleep
There were flames and screamings
My babies were screaming
l cannot
Why?
l feel ashamed
l cannot be so rude before the world
l understand Kiran
But people need to hearyour story in your own words
My English is still not very good
So do in Punjabi.. l will translate that in English
l don't know how what to say?
Say just the way you told me!
You will also have other women
Come on
The hall has been booked.. We have mailed out the leaflets
This rally is a good chance to get public support
ls your reputation more important than yourfreedom?
At least think of your children
My culture is like my blood
flowing through every vein of my body
lt is the culture which l was born
Which sees the woman as teh honour of the house
ln orderto afford this false honour
Awoman is a toy
a plaything
broken at will, stuck together at will!
For 10 years l lived alive of beatings and degregation
And no one noticed
l came out of my husband's jail and entered the jail of law
lt is here that at last that l have found a kind of freedom
l am so proud of you
James O'Connor
Who are you?
Anil Gupta, solicitor of Kiran Alavadia
What do you want?
l saw you in the rally
l am not going to be about the bush
l need your help in Kiran's matter
What are her chances?
To be honest...Remote!
Pretty girl...your wife?
my fiance....Foma
Oh Sorry
l am the world's worse irish man
Then afterthe case she knew something has changed
Didn't know what exactly
She told she guessed something was eating me up inside
ln the original trial!
You testified afterthe fire that Kiran was lucid and aware of the surroundings
ls that correct?
But l lied in court
She wasn't lucid..She was hardly even aware even in there
All l had to say...what happened
l promoted my career in front of truth
They say confession is good forthe soul
You think that is true
l believe it is true
Just let me do to talk around
Okay
l have looked oerthe material you sent to me
What do you think?
You are not giving to like it
Her statement is completely self justificatory
She did it..She admits doing it
Why she should be treated differently from any other murderer
But that is ridiculous.. you know that she is
ls there something that we could use?
There might be one thing
Followup on the prisnor psychiatrist report
He saw her shortly afterthe incidence just before trial
And he mentions endogenous depression!
Do you mean we have to say she is crazy
Thank you doctor...You have been of great help
What kind of world is this?
Where woman has to lose marbles to get justice
And the man has just to lose his temper
l am sorry doctor...Thank you again
We are leaving!
Ronni..Look you will not believe the number of letters
What is wrong?
Your appeal!
l don't know what going to talk
lndian's average
When did you get such papers?
The day l met you
Why didn't Kiran's lawertried provokation as defence?
As it doesn't apply in our case?
So the law consider it a cooling down period
Basically what they are saying is
Kiran had time to calm down and think rationally
therefore no provokation...so it is not man assault it is murder
But she was emotionally, physically and sexually abused for 10 years
One night she slept
so instead of cooling down she boiled over
ls that so difficult to..
That is bloody briliant
What?
We can use this as basis for appeal
Me!
The judge failed to mention Kiran's history of abuse
l mean this can be a misdirection of jury
So what are you saying...We have a chance
Yeah...a small one, but a chance
Where is Ronnie?
Ronnie?
lt is a sort of little determination to do such sort of damage
with a plastic blade
She is very lucky when you found her
She will be okay?
She will be confined to the ward until she recovers under suicidal attempt
Nice work Alavadia!
You have saved me a mountain of paperwork
l don't know if this is a good idea
Trust us..lt is
You deserve what you look
Good luck Kiran Show them what you are!
Kiran..Kiran.. Go...Go...Go...
l went to the bank today Where is the money?
Tell me...What did you do with that?
l spent it
The money was mine... You bitch..You had no right
l spent it!
Food foryour sons
You would have blown it on your white whores
What lf l burn that bloody face of which you are proud of?
This is my house
lt is my money
lf l were to spend on another woman.. l will
Who is going to stop me?
You!
You woman are nothing.. You are a cunt
else than nothing
All rise..
Council..Are you ready to present your case?
Yes Your honour
Proceed
My Lord today we have come before you to present our appeal on bahlf of our client
Kiran Jeet..Alavadia!
And her conviction for murder
which was handed down by the court on December 07, 1989
lt is our beliefs my Lord that this
conviction was handed down in error
And in such we seek appeal for a new trial
We note that you are presenting grounds foryour appeal
My Lords we seek appeal on three grounds
My first and second submissions relate to the judges direction to jury
On provokation
The classic definition of provokation is that which was approved by this court
in Regina versus Duffy
l quote ''provokation''
''is some act or series of acts, which
could cause any reasonable person
a sudden and temporarily loss of self control
rendering the accused sole subject to passion
as to make him or herforthe moment not
master of his or her own mind
My Lords l believe the judge in the present case
repeated those very words on that date to the jury
And he is summing up
lndeed My Lord that is true
However, it is my belief that the Duffy direction followed by that judge
to put it bluntly incorrect
Trade softly, council
Big pardon, My Lord
No disrespect intended
However, in his submation to the jury..
His lordship remarked that due to the two hour
cooling out period between assaulted my client till the hands of deceased
And the subsequent crime for which she was charged
No plea or provokation could be considered
And yet My Lords
The homocial act of 1957 reads..
Where there is evidence on which the jury confined
the defendant was provoked
to lose his self control
The question of whether it was enough to make a reasonable person
do as they did shall be left to the jury!
lt could be argument My Lord..but the
judge didn't consider setting fire to a man who slept
the actions of a reasonable person
Reasonable My Lord to whom... To you?...To me
orto a woman who suffered voilance and abuse
and humilation of the highest order of 10 years
Who feard not only for her life, but forthe lives of her own children
l myself couldn't, wouldn't persume to know
What reasonable would be for
such a woman!
My second submission My Lords
concerned the way the learnant judge dealt with the question
of the list of the characteristics
l submit My Lords
That this woman was suffering from betted womn's syndrome
And that ill treatment so affected her personality that
lead herto a state of learnt helplessness
A phrase used by those who have recognized this condition
You believe that the judge should have added this condition to the list
Orthe least My Lords left the list opened so that jury might that consider it
forthemselves
Finally, my third submission deals with the grounds of diminished responsibility My Lords
We submit the sole statement of police constable, James O'Connor
stating that the defendant was neither lucid, nor aware of her surroudings
When he interviewed her immediately afterthe incident
Also My Lords we have psychiatric reports..
Most of them came recently, which express the opinion
that at the time of the killing
the defendant's mental responsitbility for her actions was indeed diminished
within the meaning of homocial act of 1957
My Lords my client has suffered two major injustices
First the man who promised to love and honour her in marriage
And second by our system of justice
lt is tragically too late to correct the first
But by granting our appeal you will help us on the first step
towards the rectifying the second
We will considerthe issues overnight
Court is adjourned until 10:30 a.m. tomorrow
One more please
So what are we drinking too, Mr. solicitor?
To victory tomorrow orto one of my lost causes
Because it is personal
What?
My sister!
How could l have been so blind?
You know..Everytime l would see her bruises
She would tell me the story to walking into furniture while sleep
And l actually believed it
How would you protect that stupid bastard?
Do you know...He is to beat her black and blue for six long years
and no one had intervened it
Then one day she just killed herself
And l could do nothing
l couldn't save her
l am so sorry
l didn't know
This is to sister
Kiran Jeet..
This is a tragic case that has aroused much public attention
Three grounds of appeal hae been raised
The first two relates to the learner judges direction to the jury
on provokation
ln my judgement the summing up of learnet judge
was correct in law...
Turning to the third ground of appeal
the diminished responsibility...We can sit the appellant is on the stonger ground
We had before us a report, which
was available before trial
in which a doctor was expressing the opinion that the appellant was suffering
from endogenous depression
at the material time
lt is unclear how such potentially important material came
to be overlooked
ln these circumstances we considerthe verdict to be unsafe
And as such we considerthe proper course here is to order
a retrial.....
There was never a retrial of course
The court could neverfind a woman who would burnt her husband death to be innocent
So on September 25, 1992
They reduced her setentece to mansalughter and
accepted that 3 years 4 months that she spent in jail as a full term
Kiran..Afew words from you
Thank you for all this
ln life there is no honour in silence suffering
There is no affection, no comfort to be found
in love that is abused
lt is our responsibility as mothers
To raise our son to treat women with love and respect
Not voilance and anger
Only then the suffering will end
My story is a part of the picture
l am not important, but this issue is
Please don't forget that there are many women
who need help from you!
Please..........
Mostly we can,t imagine what is life to spend years of looked way in a place like this
lt was herfirst step towards freedom