Episode 182 — SHE KILLED SANTA

Maggie takes on the responsibilty of assistant prosecutor when one of MtThomas' most brutal killings comes to trial. Simon Reece, the Crown Prosecutor, is sure of a guilty verdict; the victim was found disembowelled in bed, his wife in a car with a bag full of money and covered in blood. The defence counsel, Tom's new friend Sally Downie, is suitably nervous, this is her first murder trial and the case against her client, Luisa White, seems to be open and shut.

The Heelers all wait their turn to give evidence against Luisa, still finding it difficult to believe the woman before them is capable of such a calculated and horrific crime. Slowly the details of the crime unfold. Simon suggests that Luisa, after having removed funds from their bank account, went into the bedroom and sliced Jack's belly from hip to hip. The cold-blooded killing of a sleeping man. Despite her best efforts Sally's self-defence theory seems to have little grounds in fact. However, a member of the jury, Donna Price, has other ideas. She interrupts the proceedings a number of times, finally yelling out that Jack White murdered his first wife so why couldn't this one have been in self defence? The judge throws her out of the court and off the jury, but she has already sewn the seeds of doubt.

Sally pleads with Tom to investigate Donna's claims. Sally explains that Donna became friends with Trent Driscoll, the itinerant worker who was tried and convicted of the rape-murder of Jack White's first wife. Driscoll has convinced Donna that while he had gone to the White's house to steal from them he did not harm Mrs White. Tom questions Donna's reliability and Sally is forced to admit that Donna and Trent Driscoll are engaged and in her opinion could be biased; but Luisa's life is on the line and she needs his assistance.

Tom is caught between Sally's need for him to help and his role as a police member. However, the idea that justice may not be done in Luisa's conviction is enough to sway him and Tom puts the Heelers on the case.

What they uncover is a horrific story of violence and secrecy. The Heelers evidence points to a reason behind Luisa's actions, but will this be enough for a jury to decide whether she should be found guilty?

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