Today the teachers and staff gave their evidence and this blog is evolving as I write, I do not want it to be a blow-by-blow account of what was submitted in the court. What I want is to observe how we as humans arrive at the truth of events that have past into time.
This is interesting in history and in common political journalism but when lives have been lost and other lives and reputations are in jeopardy, suddenly gravity enters the arena and it is important to find, view and present the facts as thoroughly as is humanly possible.
In this case it is only the second day and I have heard ‘Its possible’ or ‘I have no recollection’ a lot. These answers seem to be the most useful answers to the fog of truth, and it is a fog. Driving in the fog of the Corndale flats is something I have done many times, the road is there, I know it’s there and its straight. But I cannot see it, but its there and I do know its straight, why do I slow down? Because I still know there are many variables and consequently knowing is not good enough, so I drive slow and take in every tiny detail of data as I go. Surprise! I get home safe.
Witness are there they do not know in advance that two years hence they will be ordered to a court to give account of a particular event at a particular time.
The advantage here is the witnesses in this situation at this time are in fact teachers in a school, which has a policy of how to deal with, and record events such as schoolyard brawls.
The teachers give evidence in a professional succinct manner that is beneficial to the proceedings. The casual teacher new to teaching is clear in what she saw and what she did not, the deputy principal is likewise but becomes slightly emotional when pressed by Steve Drummond as to who released the information that Jai’s condition was not survivable, his answer was in the negative. The head teacher was equally on top of what she new and did not. The school administrator was utterly factual and to the point.
But now arrives a human problem, one teacher, a young female is one of the first at the scene and so her position is crucial. Her testimony is plagued by unease inconstancy and confusion. Her ability to observe recollect interpret repeat and articulate facts appears very weak, she seems nervous and any question too lengthy has to be repeated for her. She answers many times in visual gestures, she maintains many facts came back to her later but did not contact the police. Vital statements that the court were not aware of she has left in her car. When she found herself in a casual conversation about the events and illegally recorded, did she re-contact police and make further statements.
Now it is very important that readers of this blog do not think I am bagging this woman I am not. She is clearly competent as a teacher or she would not be employed as such. However her personality seems a bit arty hither and thither a very visual thinker, which all makes her a clearly lovable and attractive person, surely emphasised by the fact she is 8 moths pregnant. However as a witness, she has a lot be desired and is not benefiting the pursuit of the truth in many ways she has frustrated it. But we must remember, in life witnesses to tragic vents such as these are not chosen and short-listed, they happen.
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