Original subtitles

But first we cross to reporter, Ben tan,

for the first day of the murder trial that not everyone agrees is a murder.

What I believe is that a jury

will find that my daughter was an innocent teenager

who was in the wrong hands.

Members of the jury panel, if your number's drawn,

please stand and make your way to the jury box.

Six, one, zero, one, seven.

Anyone else feel like they're at a 12-step meeting?

Oh, how was the jury duty thing?

Did you get out of it? Yeah.

They let you off?

You don't have to be here.

I can't be anywhere else.

Are you sure that they're not going to bring up what we spoke about?

I got selected for jury duty.

This won't stop you coming to my night classes.

Two nights a week.

Someone's gotta do the paperwork, or else we might spook the buyers.

I'm on the jury.

Did you get put on that jury after all?

I was gonna tell you. When?

Jamie.

There is no real evidence and there is no body.

♪ Ooh I see you see you see you every time

♪ and oh my I I I... ♪

You ready?

♪ I like your style

♪ you you make me make me make me wanna cry

♪ and now I beg to see you dance just one more time

♪ so they say dance for me dance for me dance for me

♪ oh oh oh... ♪

Shit, sorry. It's fine.

Are you sure you're ready?

'Cause I'll have to impose a penalty shot if you're not.

♪ Make me wanna cry... ♪ I've got this.

I know you do.

♪ And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

♪ so they say

♪ dance for me dance for me dance for me

♪ oh oh oh

♪ I've never seen anybody do the things you do before

♪ they say move for me move for me move for me ay ay ay

♪ and when you're done I'll make you do it all again... ♪

Oh, my god.

That was awesome.

That was awesome. Did you see that, Kate?

It was totally awesome.

-Hey, Kate, do you have a spare charger? -Ah, yeah, it's on the kitchen bench.

It's exquisite.

Come here.

Come here. Mhh-mhh.

How much have you had to drink?

Hmm? Would you relax?

You've got your process and I've got mine.

I don't want you throwing up all over my studio, alright?

Why only blue?

Oh, I didn't do it.

That's a bowerbird.

It's how the males court the females.

Really?

I'd like a man to do that to me someday.

Just the one beauty.

Daddy, where's mummy?

Just give her a minute, sweety. She's just using the bathroom.

Hey.

Did you get any sleep?

Me neither.

Hey.

Come here.

Come on.

I'm sorry.

I just...

..Lying, I just...

..I can't do it, George.

I'm sorry.

It was really unfair of me to lie to you,

and I should have told you.

I should...

Hang on, I should get the kids ready for school.

And pick-up? How do we handle that?

Ah, Gabby's just gonna help out for a little bit.

You know that Gabby just wants

to get in your pants, right? Jamie, that's not true.

Do you want her in your pants?

Hey.

I'm really sorry, Jamie, ok?

Hey.

Maybe you could pick the kids up.

I'll make dinner tonight. How about that?

Try to look human for the crew, will you, mate?

Fuck off.

Fellas.

Hey, luiz. Hey.

Key for lift.

, my friend. I bring for you.

Salute.

Morning.

-I told you to clean up the books, you idiot. -Oh, here we go.

We get caught paying cash in hand to illegals,

we can kiss the deal goodbye.

We're not gonna get caught.

No. No we're not, mate.

'Cause that shit ends today. That shit?

That shit that dad taught us?

That shit that fed and clothed your hairy ass?

Don't give me that sentimental bullshit.

Listen, mate, I'll be fucked if I'm gonna meet the deadline

on this next stage, if you're off on jury duty.

Being late won't blow the fucking deal.

Getting shut down by worksafe will.

Listen, mate, if you're gonna nag me,

you better be giving out gobbies on Friday night

because you know what?

Helen could really use a break.

Sort it out. Now.

I want him gone, flip,

and anyone else here who shouldn't be.

Oh, what am I, hey?

A tele-fucking-marketer or something?

Allen, you nearly gave me a heart attack man.

Don't screen my calls, mate.

I'm thinking you're fucking avoiding me.

Oh no, I've been pretty caught up

with this whole jury duty trial thing.

I told christo I was off the grid, yeah.

I had to get a suit and a new haircut.

But I'm getting paid, though. Breathe, mate. It's ok.

I'm not here to collect.

Yet.

Ah, it's good to see ya.

I got a proposition for ya.

Oh no, I'm gonna be pretty busy for the next couple of months

with the trial. It's a murder trial.

Yeah, I know.

I've got this investor friend who's fucking fascinated by it,

and wants to pay you to give him the inside story.

How much? 7k.

Which, by a remarkable coincidence,

it's exactly what you owe christo this month, yeah?

Is christo running a book on this? Don't be dumb.

Who'd bet on a coin toss with desperate scum like you

on the fucking jury, hey? Then why?

Well, I'll tell you what, Sherlock.

You use your detective skills on your jury mates,

see which way they're leaning,

who's got a reason to vote one way or another,

and if my investor finds it useful enough,

seven grand of your sizeable debt disappears.

Can I think about it?

Sure. Zeus?

Ripley?

You done?

'Cause you've tried my Patience before, yeah?

Fucking idiot.

So, what's the judge like?

Playing for the defence?

It's too early to tell.

It's his first murder, so baby steps.

He doesn't seem too dazzled by Colby.

I am not looking forward to being cross-examined

by that slippery prick.

Funny, that's what his ex-wife calls him.

Which one love?

All jokes aside, you are not to underestimate him.

Looks like another bikie trial's starting.

It's Steve dokic.

The 'darkroom rapist.'

there was a moment during Colby's opening

where Kate was almost physically shaking.

She was looking straight at him.

What's he in doing court? Doesn't matter.

You need to get rid of him

or Colby will accuse us of disrupting the trial.

He should be a witness.

Nothing about '92 is admissible, alright?

Not a word. Not even a whisper.

Yeah, yeah, I know. UN-fucking-believable.

Leave it with me.

Anyway, right now you need to concentrate.

Would you please state your name, rank and station.

Detective sergeant Samantha chedid, homicide squad.

Thank you, detective.

Could you please tell us

how the disappearance of Claire Spears

first came to police attention?

Mr Colby, is there any objection to the crown leading evidence

from the missing persons case?

No, your honour, it is not in dispute.

On Monday, 16 September, 2019,

Diane Spears told chatswood police her 14-year-old daughter

had disappeared from Kate Lawson's home.

And what was the police's response?

Detective Shane Chapman notified the 'missing persons unit'

and led a team of officers to castlecrag.

And do the police respond this way to every missing person's report?

Claire was very young and possibly vulnerable.

The circumstances... I'm sorry.

Why did you use the word 'vulnerable?'

well, because she was on her own.

And the circumstances of her disappearance were unusual.

And it was nearly two days since she was last seen.

Ok, team, gather round.

I'm going to need you to door knock the whole street, ok?

Anything suspicious they heard or saw between 9:00pm Saturday night

and 11:00 Sunday morning.

Strange vehicles, unexplained sounds, odd people.

Ok, go to it.

So, when I got home from dropping amita off

at about 10:00pm, Claire's door was closed

and I assumed she was sleeping, or still sulking.

And her bed was slept in?

Well, yeah. She wouldn't have left in the dark.

Any particular reason she'd leave at all?

Come this way. Thanks.

Diane, what are you doing?

Tea, on the terrace.

Do you know if Claire's phone was charged?

Oh, I don't know.

She often lets it run low.

Actually, it was definitely charged.

Amita put it on the charger in the kitchen.

I um...

I called her and left voicemails at 10:07pm,

7:00am, 11:13am and then a series from 4:00pm onwards

when the school called to say that she wasn't there.

You called her phone?

Even though you thought she was in the bedroom?

I do the same thing myself.

Sometimes it's the only way to get her to answer.

Excuse me, detective Chapman?

One of the neighbours has cctv.

Has Claire ever run away before?

Is this the footage retrieved

from the neighbour's security system?

Yes, from 88 cheyne walk, castlecrag,

directly opposite Kate Lawson's home.

At 9:03pm, amita James left the house via the front door

and got into the passenger seat of Kate Lawson's car.

Kate Lawson got in after her.

She was gone for approximately 50 minutes.

Kate Lawson returned alone at 9:58pm.

Did the cctv show anyone leaving or entering

after Kate Lawson came home that night?

Nobody.

Your honour, I believe madam crown should clarify that matter.

Is it the case that the cctv

only captures the front of Kate Lawson's property?

That's right.

The bushland at the back of the property isn't covered by cctv.

Thank you, madam crown.

Your honour, I tender the footage.

It will be marked exhibit a.

So, apart from door knocking the neighbourhood,

what else was involved in the investigation?

Police worked alongside Claire's mother, Diane,

to reach out to family and friends.

Claire's school contacted the students.

Airport, train and bus stations were all alerted.

We checked Claire's bank accounts, her rideshare and opal accounts.

We monitored her social media.

And what was the result of all these hours spent searching?

Nothing.

Not a single trace of a 14-year-old schoolgirl missing for two days?

No sign at all.

Detective, how did homicide become involved

in the investigation?

Chapman sent me a video.

Members of the jury,

the judge warned you that there might be evidence

in this trial that may be distressing.

I ask for your fortitude.

Detective, would you identify the footage on the screen, please?

It's video found on Claire's phone.

It was recorded at 8:57pm

on the night of 14 September, 2019.

We're up to exhibit b.

Thank you, mr Colby. I believe madam crown knows what she's doing.

So do I, your honour.

Detective chedid, when did you first speak to the accused, Kate Lawson?

At 5:45pm on Monday 16 September, 2019.

Ms Lawson and her sister, Diane Spears,

were providing police with information

about Claire's contacts.

Kate Lawson, I'm detective chedid.

I'm here to interview you

in connection with the disappearance of Claire Spears.

You're not required to do or say anything,

but anything you do or say could be used in evidence.

Has something happened?

Diane Spears, this premises is now considered a crime scene.

You'll have to leave.

Ms Lawson, could you remain seated while we conduct a search?

Please tell me what's going on.

Why are they searching the house?

What has Nathan said to you?

She's run away.

My daughter has run away.

You should be looking for her. Chappie, can you...

I'll need your phone, laptop and any other devices.

What the fuck is going on? Kate?

It's fine. I'm fine. Go.

Could you please read that.

I really hope we don't have to watch that video again.

You got kids? Yeah, little ones.

God, that makes it worse.

And I wonder what Kate Lawson could possibly say for herself.

Oh, she won't give evidence.

Not unless things are going very badly for her.

I watch all the crime dramas.

The accused is not required to testify.

We cannot draw any conclusions about her guilt,

based on whether she does or doesn't.

Kubba.

It's homemade. Has that got meat in it?

I'm actually a vegan.

Lamb, rice, spices.

Mm, perhaps a little bit rich, for me.

Help yourselves.

You ok? Yeah, no, I just...

I think this case is just gonna get to me a little bit.

Makes two of us.

Oh.

Kibbe? Homemade.

Sorry. I'm off carbs.

We're back in.

Very generous, farrad. Thank you.

Yes, well, I shouldn't, but they do look lovely.

Thank you.

Come on, we'll be late.

Detective, could you please identify this footage?

It's the video recording

of the search of Kate Lawson's premises

and the bushland surrounding it.

Here.

Photographs from Kate Lawson's laptop.

I seek to tender that, your honour.

No objection. I'll have that handed to my associate.

And we'll Mark it exhibit c.

Detective.

The school uniform belonging to Kate Lawson

stained with red acrylic paint.

I tender that, your honour. No objection.

Exhibit number h.

Black and white photographic prints of Claire Spears.

The crown tenders those, your honour.

No objection. Exhibit number I.

A proof sheet series of Claire Spears

tying knots in ropes.

What was inside the retractable cutter?

Claire Spears' blood.

Mr Colby, do you object to the crown leading forensic evidence?

Your honour, there is no dispute

that the blood found within the retractable cutter

has been matched by forensics to that of Claire Spears,

and I'll be cross-examining the forensic analyst

later in the week.

Thank you, mr Colby.

The accused participated in a record of interview

on 16 September, 2019, at chatswood police station.

Yes.

Your honour, I intend to play the recording of the interview now.

You need to speak to amita James, Claire's friend.

Chapman has all of her details.

Amita recorded that.

The light at the end is me coming through the door.

I caught them at it and I put a stop to it.

What are they doing?

They call it 'scarfing.'

it's stupid teenage girls showing off.

They pretend that they're engaging in auto-erotic asphyxiation.

Is this why I'm here?

You think she's dead?

No, no, no, you need to speak to amita.

Claire is very much alive, and she's missing.

Were you aware Claire and amita were recording high-risk behaviours

in your home? No, I put a stop to it.

I drove amita home.

I tried to confiscate Claire's phone but she was too quick.

Well, how did it end up under your fridge?

I think that's a question for Nathan Spears, don't you?

There were other videos on Claire's phone.

Her devices, her social media feeds show other risk-taking.

What, like drinking?

Kids drink. They all do.

I just prefer that they did it where they were safe and supervised

and not in the back of a panel Van in a macca's carpark.

Are you aware that grooming is against the law in this state?

I am not grooming my niece.

You've admitted you provided your underage niece

with intoxicating substances.

It's the occasional glass of wine.

And you've exposed her to indecent material.

My art is not indecent.

Do you photograph Claire

masturbating on a staircase in a school uniform?

She's not masturbating,

she's exploring her own menstrual blood.

Well, did you ask her to writhe in ecstasy

while exploring her period blood?

That is such a reductive way to describe a young woman

exploring the power of her own beauty.

So you find beauty in a teenage girl masturbating?

I think that question says so much more about you than me.

Review the transcript...

Mark that exhibit m.

What happened next in the investigation?

We obtained a warrant to place Kate Lawson under surveillance

and monitor her phone, email and other communications.

Did you continue to search for Claire Spears?

In cooperation with chatswood and the state-wide unit,

we carried out a full missing person's investigation

in the hope Claire Spears would be found alive.

When did that stop?

On 1 November, 2019,

a family group picnicking at flat rock beach in middle harbour

found a Norwich ladies college school tie washed up on the sand.

Could the witness be handed this?

Is this the tie you just referred to?

Yes.

Detective, could you tell the jury

what name is sewn into the back of that school tie?

Claire Spears.

Journalists tell me it's already looking bad in there

for your sister.

Fuck her.

I know she's grieving, but so are you.

Margaret.

Cheese and tomato toastie. Bless you.

Thank you. And Georgina, chicken pot pie.

Thank you.

You don't think it's premature to tally votes

until we've heard all the evidence, and all the witnesses?

People are gonna change their minds either way.

Might as well find out where we stand day by day.

Someone's got a business to run. Let's get cracking, people.

Would it make me a racist or a misogynist to make fun of you?

I don't understand the detective making such a song and dance

about a bit of menstrual blood.

Oi. Lunchtime.

Should women pretend we don't bleed every month?

Does anyone know Kate Lawson's date of birth?

Why?

Well, the more we know, the better.

Well, what does her birthday got to do with anything?

You can just say if you're not into astrology, Margaret.

Mm, I doubt judge muir is, either.

There's actually a lot of research linking astrology and crime.

Sure.

Might as well find out her favourite colour while we're at it.

Oh yeah, be my guest.

Guys, we're clearly all very different.

We just have to make some actual space for one another.

Can this dude even hear us?

Hey, 'ocean's 8.'

is that drink from a vending machine here?

I love this crackhead.

So, what is it you do, mate?

Investment banking.

I do 'm and a' for a boutique outfit.

Yeah, yeah.

Detective chedid, how long have you been with the police?

I've been a police officer for 12 years.

And how long have you been a homicide detective?

I was made detective in 2014

and I joined homicide five years later.

So, at the time of Claire's disappearance,

you'd been a homicide detective for, what, three months?

Almost four.

Four months.

Now, exhibit b, detective chedid, the video of Claire scarfing.

How was that footage obtained?

The auto-erotic asphyxiation video came from Claire Spears' phone.

And how was the phone obtained?

Please play the bodycam footage, as tendered by the crown.

Get out of my house.

Nathan.

What are you doing here? You're not welcome.

Can you ask him to go? Get out of my house.

Please leave the house.

Get the fuck out of my house. This is your fault, Diane?

Alright? You gave our little girl to this fucking witch.

And whatever she's done to her, you're responsible.

She's run away, that's it. She just ran away.

She's run away?

Then why did I find her phone hidden under a fridge?

Mr Spears, please, come on. Come on.

Did you ask Nathan Spears

how he knew where to look for Claire's phone?

He told me that's where Claire had hidden her phone in the past,

when he'd tried to confiscate it.

I'd like to show exhibit a,

but this time, the footage beginning at 8:13pm.

How do you describe this event in your report?

Nathan Spears came to Kate Lawson's house.

He went inside and emerged moments later with his daughter,

Claire Spears.

Kate Lawson appears from inside the house,

and after an altercation in the car, Claire returned inside.

An altercation, yes.

Detective chedid, are you familiar with the term 'selective editing?'

in what context?

Exhibit a.

Well, that's 16 hours of cctv where very little happens.

But something does happen, does it not, at 8:13pm?

Didn't you think the altercation with mr Spears was both relevant

and important? It's all in the footage.

Which you chose not to show to the jury.

Now, you've described a caution that you gave ms Lawson

when you entered the house.

Did you similarly caution mr Spears?

I'm only required to caution a suspect.

Even after he was revealed to be in possession

of Claire's phone?

He found the phone in Kate Lawson's house.

The jury have seen the video of the body-worn camera.

They'll decide that, detective.

At any point, did you consider the possibility

that Nathan Spears planted the phone under the fridge?

How would he have it if Claire and ms Lawson argued over it?

I ask the questions, detective, you know that.

Is it possible that mr Spears planted the phone under the fridge?

It's possible, sure. But likely, no.

I didn't ask if it was likely, I asked if it was possible.

Now the answer to that is?

Yes, it's possible. Yes, it's possible. Thank you.

Did you search mr Spears? No.

Is that because you'd already made your mind up who was guilty

before you even entered Kate Lawson's house?

No. At any point did you consider

mr spear a potential suspect in this case?

There was never any evidence to support that.

Because you didn't look for any.

No, I followed the evidence... You followed what?

A hunch?

You followed the accusations that mr Spears himself had made?

No, no.

Tell me this. Would a more experienced detective

have investigated more than one suspect in this case...

Objection.

Detective chedid's experience has been dealt with.

This is a question designed to offend.

Don't test my Patience, mr Colby.

Thank you, your honour.

Did you ever search his house in the same way

as you did ms Lawson's?

I did not. Did you comb through his phone,

through his laptop, through his social media

in the same way? I did not.

No, you did not.

Now, detective, on another matter,

does the fact that Claire's tie washed up on the shore

rule out the possibility that mr Spears, amita James

or Claire herself dropped it into any gutter or stormwater drain

that washes into the harbour?

It's my job to reach a conclusion based upon all the evidence.

Then I put it to you that rather than consider all the evidence,

you'd already made your mind up about Kate Lawson.

I disagree.

Well, of course you would.

That's all, your honour.

People of the jury,

did the dad hide the phone under the fridge or what?

I think it's pretty hard to tell, from the bodycam footage.

Where did he get it?

Kate told the detective Claire had the phone

after her father left. Yeah, yeah.

It's pretty weird he knew exactly where it was.

Suss, eh.

Claire had hidden her phone

under her father's fridge in the past.

Yeah, I don't like the sound of their relationship at all.

It's a father's job sometimes to be disciplinarian.

No, I think there's something off about Nathan Spears.

I don't think I'm the only one.

I just think it's a little bit early to judge.

Yeah, you're totally right.

It's way too early to split into camps.

He broke into her home and called her a witch.

It's abusive. Give the guy a break.

His 14-year-old daughter was missing.

There's always a fucking excuse.

Maybe we should all go home.

We've got another two months in this place.

Yeah, the boss is right.

See you guys tomorrow.

Good evening, farrad.

And thank you, farrad, for a delicious snack.

Looks like we were the only two to try it.

I've got a confession to make.

I can't eat spicy food.

Gives me indigestion.

Me too.

What did you think of today?

Today?

People have no respect for life.

Or death.

Or kubba.

Hello? Caitlin, hi.

It's Georgina merrick.

Oh, hi, Georgina.

Ah, Debra passed on your number. She said that I might call.

Oh yeah, yeah, that's right. She did mention it.

Look, have you thought about after school care,

because I don't think our kids are friends, are they?

I mean... sorry?

Sorry, what was that? Later.

I've gotta go. Yeah, no, no, that's fine.

You go, you go. It's fine.

Sorry I couldn't help. Thank you.

Hi. Hi.

Sorry, I thought I had another mum all lined...

It's fine. Hi.

We'll try and work something out. It's fine.

Thanks. It's fine.

Ok, everybody say thank you to Gabby.

Thank you, Gabby. Thank you.

See you later, cutie-pies. Bye.

Let's go. Alright.

Hey, guys, do you think when we get home,

that we can pretend to daddy

that I picked you up from after care?

Why?

Because he just, he likes it when I do.

Me too. Me three.

Alright. Just let's not tell daddy, ok?

Last one in the car's a rotten egg.

Hey, hang on, hang on. Alright, alright, seatbelts.

We're home, we're home.

You go.

Yeah.

Hey, guys, hooks and nooks, please.

Hey. What's for dinner?

Jesus, George, relax.

I'm kidding.

Hey, monsters, guess what?

It's treat night tonight.

What are we having?

Spaghetti bolognaise and chocolate pudding.

Yay. Yes.

Alright, wash your hands.

That means you too, Billy Elliot.

Get out of here.

Hey.

Glass of wine for mrs merrick? Mm.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, not so fast.

Mummy first.

Thank you, daddy. This looks delicious.

Mm.

Top up? Yeah.

Why did you wink?

Um, well that's mummy and daddy code.

What's mummy and daddy code?

Um, well, that's what keeps this family going.

So, it's good they let you out in time today to pick up the kids.

Because we don't want jury duty

interfering with mummy duty now, do we?

No.

No. No.

About time.

Where are we at with the oh and s audit?

Inspection's Monday.

Yeah, checklist is over there.

Flip!

Flip!

Mate, can you hear me?

Flip!

Shit.

Can you hear me? Hey.

Is he alive?

Yeah. And we're fucked.

We need to call an ambulance. No. No, we can't.

This gets logged in the system, we'll be busted in a heartbeat.

What did I fucking say? He'll probably come too.

Let's just... We'll just put him in the shed.

Are you fucking mental?

He just fell five fucking storeys. We can't call an ambulance.

Fuck!

Alright, get the car. We'll take him to the hospital.

We can't take him to the fucking hospital.

Alright? We do that and we're busted.

It's game over.

Well, what do you suggest then, flip?

It's alright.

There, there.

Stop, stop, stop. Go, go.

Watch his head.

Come on. Let's go.

We can't just leave him like that.

What the fuck are you doing?

Calling triple zero. What?

Calling triple zero. They trace those calls.

What are you doing? Give me that.

Maxi.

Just...

Wait.

Balzac's 'sarrasine, '

Oscar wilde's 'Dorian gray, '

and Chekhov's 'trigorin, '

all become smitten with performers.

How important to Bart's thesis is it

that simbalina is playing a role?

Mr Saunders.

Do you have an opinion?

I trust by now you all have an opinion.

Your Bart essay is due at midnight.

Hands where we can see them.

Get up. Hands behind your head.

No, on his knees, on his knees. Ah, fuck.

Don't swear at me. What's in your bag?

My uni books and my laptop.

Don't move.

Get up.

So, if I open this at the station,

it's not gonna be full of uni work by the kid you stole it from?

Please, it's my laptop. I'm a, I swear I'm a uni student.

There's an English lit essay still open on the laptop

and it's due tonight, and my lecturer's a real hard-arse.

Do I look like a fucking idiot?

Well, what about my bike?

He's in the meeting room.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming in.

We meet at last.

You had your chance, before the committal.

Yeah.

I didn't want my name dragged through the papers all over again.

Belinda bain was a 14-year-old assault victim.

It would be illegal for the press to make reference to that case,

even after 30 years.

I know that now. Well, now is too late.

Anything to do with '92 is inadmissible.

Why am I here?

Stay away from the court room, mr dokic.

It's open to the public.

The darkroom rapist lapping up the sordid details

of a murdered teenage girl?

Nobody can write about Kate Lawson's connection to the old murder,

but they can report your interest in the new one.

She was already dead.

Before I walked into that room.

Are you telling me Kate Lawson killed belinda bain?

I'm telling you I didn't.

What do you want?

Lights out.

---oOo---