The problem with defendants is that they are usually guilty, which means that the only contribution they can make to their own case on the witness stand is to sink it. It’s all very well for the defendant to present his version of events to the court. Sometimes this can even be helpful. The trouble starts during cross-examination when prosecuting counsel has carte blanche to rip the defendant’s testimony to pieces, to tie him up in knots, and to expose him as the liar he (very often) is.

Analysts are watching the David Lurie trial with interest to see which way the defence team will jump. David Lurie has been on their witness list from the beginning, but that was understood to be no more than an exercise in keeping their options open. The question is: will they actually call him to the stand?

Pundits have also speculated about whether Lucy Lurie will be in court to watch her father’s testimony if he does take the stand. Will she want to hear his version of events, or will she choose to absent herself? And will Lurie himself speak more freely with his daughter out of the courtroom than if she is in it? Surely her physical presence watching and listening as he gives his testimony will inhibit him in some way?

DESHEN SC: Good morning, Mr. Lurie. Please accept the thanks of the court for being willing to assist us in this matter.

DAVID LURIE: It’s a pleasure. I know Your Ladyship’s time is valuable, and mine is too. I’m sure we can sort this out quickly enough if we put our minds to it.

DESHEN SC: I’m sure we can, Mr. Lurie. Would you please explain to this court what you were hoping to achieve when you hired those men to break into your house?

DAVID LURIE: Certainly, M’Lady. You must understand that the farmhouse in Worcester was originally the property of my wife’s parents. They gave it to her when we got married, and she in turn left it to me when she died.

DESHEN SC: I see. A mixed blessing, perhaps?

DAVID LURIE: Precisely. I was left with a millstone around my neck, with most of my capital tied up in it. I’m an urban creature, M’Lady, happiest when I am close to the shops, the theatre, my golf club. The farmhouse offered a rural existence far from these creature comforts, and it was stifling me. I admit it freely, M’Lady. Stifling me.

DESHEN SC: Very understandable, I’m sure.

DAVID LURIE: I longed to sell the farmhouse, but it was such a bad time. Two years ago, the property market was at its nadir. It was a buyer’s market, and nothing was moving. Properties were spending months, if not years, on the market, with no takers unless the owners dropped the price to such an extent that they were virtually giving it away.