Chapter 58: Chapter 58: A bombshell lands

The judge's head snapped up. Thierry Richards was heard to quietly explode 'What?' From the jury box came an audible rustling and murmur. From the back of the gallery an angry cry. And from Eleni Stavros there was a gasped, 'No,' as the interpreter doggedly translated on. The Canberra Times journalist was head bent over her notebook.

The judge rapped out a 'Quiet' to the courtroom generally and 'Constable, sit down or leave' to Antonio Stavros in the gallery.

As calmly and evenly as if uninterrupted Elisabeth continued, 'Mrs Stavros, was your husband your life, even though the beatings you received resulted in hospitalisation on at least six occasions?'

Eleni was now swinging her head from side to side, 'No, no.'

Elisabeth maintained the momentum. 'Were the beatings so severe that nine years ago in Melbourne, before moving to Canberra, you left him and laid charges against him? Did you take him to court?'