australian television information archive

Confess and Avoid

Michael Kidd's financial gravy train, the Hennessey family and their ongoing court battles, has stopped until Mal appears in court to face his murder charge.

Kidd is forced to look at other cases to maintain his lifestyle of expensive cars and fast bikes and takes on the defence of a young law student charged with culpable driving after a car accident left a young girl dead and her sister seriously injured.

While prosecutor Jenny Hanson is daunted by the prospect of appearing against the legendary Michael Kidd, the defendant, Ian Bisley, is more concerned about his future as a solicitor than the death of the young girl, and will not admit to himself that he is responsible.

Kidd's skilled defence of his client quickly has Jenny on the ropes and facing yet another defeat at the hand of Michael Kidd, who has supposedly not lost a case in eight years.

Despite Kidd's best efforts, his client is faced with insurmountable evidence and Kidd looks for a way out. He suggests a tactical admission to the lesser offences in hopes of avoiding a conviction for culpable driving.

The jury is unsympathetic and Bisley is convicted. Haunted by the memory of the accident, Bisley takes his own life before sentencing.

On a positive note, Kidd turns the tables when his car is impounded.