|
|
Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
|
|
|
|
Louise Nicholas fixed
her stare on a mark on the carpet as the words "not guilty"
reverberated around the courtroom 20 times. There were no tears, or
expressions of anger, just a sad, blank stare of disbelief as she tried to
comprehend what she had heard. The jury had not
believed her. As they stood in the
dock to hear their fate, she refused to look at the three men she had accused
of raping and sexually abusing her. First Bob Schollum,
then Brad Shipton, then Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards wept
tears of relief as the jury's verdicts were read. As the last charge was
read and dismissed by the jury forewoman, celebration erupted in the packed
public gallery -- despite warnings by the judge for people to keep calm.
Family members leapt out of their chairs and hugged each other, weeping. One
cried out: "We did it." Clasping husband Ross's
hand, Nicholas was herded out the door by her family and police and escorted
away in stunned silence. |
