The panel are L to R. L F Robertson (Moderator) Abi Silver,
John Lincoln, John Buckler and Graham Bartlett
Graham was a police officer for thirty years during which he was a homicide senior investigating officer and a strategic firearms and public order commander. He is now an award-winning author. His message is ‘Write what you know’. He has now written two books Bad for Good and Force of Hate. I can attest they are both brilliant. Taxed with police corruption, he responded ’ there are some bad apples out there.’ But there are many links in the chain leading up to murder. Motivation is important, but there is a whole series of events that lead to a crime.
Abi said she tried writing 20 years ago. Then did commercial law for 8 years, and then tried again, with women in central roles. Her first book was defending the innocent.
Like Abi, L F Robertson is a lawyer. She has worked for many years on death penalty cases. In her words ‘It’s a long slog’.
They were asked if they get fed up with negativity pointed at the law. Abi responded that they have a role to help and protect the rule of law.
John Lincoln, who has written two books featuring Gethin Gray, observed ruefully that British PI’s are nothing like the American ones.
The discussion was guilt and innocence, and FL Roberston related a story where an ill-educated young man went to jail for a minor offence, but was drawn into a bad crowd in the prison and ended up doing an evil thing. But then there are many ordinary people who end up doing evil things.
There were several questions and observations from the audience specifically about someone being able to pay for a top clever barrister and getting away with their crime. The conclusion was ‘It’s the system we have to live with . We have a process and we have to live with that process.
I found it a fascinating discussion and I am only sorry I couldn't write fast enough to give a more detailed account.
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