australian television information archive

Judgement Amongst ^Short Men

Having attacked Kirsty outside of court months earlier [ep 3], Rhonda Hennessey is now on trial herself facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice for threatening Kirsty to keep her from testifying against Mal and Steve.

Despite a last minute attempt by the defence to keep Kirsty from testifying due to her delicate condition (she is now six months pregnant with Steve's child), Kirsty takes to the witness stand for the prosecution but in recounting the incident, she is evasive and downplays Rhonda's threats.

Despite Kirsty's efforts, Sen Det. Jan Murray's testimony is sufficient to see Rhondda found guilty. Shirl is outraged her family continues to be persecuted.

While in the County Court, controversy erupts when Judge Wynn makes a sexist judgement while sentencing a man for raping a prostitute, suggesting in his instructions to the jury that the rape was less traumatic to her because of her profession. Due to the firestorm in the media, Judge Wynn decides to take some time off, to let things settle down.