australian television information archive

Fit To Plead

DPP solicitor Tina Bertum dons wig and gown to prosecute a case in the County Court. What should be a straight-forward, rubber-stamp hearing of an aboriginal man's ability to plead ends up as a battle between Judge Dalgarno and Legal Aid barrister Kathy Tainsh.

Ray Crundall suffers from alcoholism, epilepsy, a poorly education, and has a mental age of ten. When he attacked staff at a hostel, he knew he had done something wrong, but was unable to comprehend the consequences. He protected himself the only way he knew how — with his fists and feet.

Now, after acting up in the holding cells, Ray is brought into court, sedated and encased in a body restraint. His barrister, Kathy Tainsh, is incensed and even more determined to make sure he gets a fair deal from a system that has been letting him down for years.

Meanwhile, in an adjacent court, Darren Mack is on trial for blackmail. He lost the case and Michael Kidd is doing his best to prevent Darren's sentence from being increased, only to be sacked by the Hennessey in-law. However, unlike Mal, Darren's attempts to represent himself begins to verge on the ludicrous.

Judge Grossman sentences Darren to three years, with one year and six months to be served consecutive to his current sentence.

Crundall is found unfit to plead by the jury and the judge directs he be detained at the Governor's pleasure until such time he is fit to plead.