australian television information archive

My Learned Friend, Mr. Hennessey

After his escape, Mal was charged with the serious offense of Breach of Prison and his day in court has finally arrived. Everybody expects Michael Kidd to represent him, but the Hennessey's seemingly bottomless money pit is empty. Mal has been in custody for months, Shirl is in jail, and Steve is dead.

Legal Aid won't take the case unless Mal pleads guilty and Kidd won't appear unless he is paid, so Mal dons his spectacles, a suit, and defends himself after first practising his courtroom skills on his fellow prisoners.

Mal Hennessey has spent enough time in court over the years to know how to use the system. He issues a list of witnesses including Peter Faithful and the prison Governor. Nobody can stop Mal without infringing his rights, and the Magistrate is ensuring that doesn't happen.

In a surprising turn, Magistrate Shearer orders Vic Manoulis to offer Hennessey legal assistance, stretching the prosecutor's patience to the limit.