Every student in my group was visibly nervous before entering the courtroom. They hesitated to be the first one through the door, slowly inching forward. I had to gather my own courage before pushing open the door to District Courtroom 11. The trial I witnessed was for the murder of two infant twins in June 2008, with the cause being lack of sustenance and nutrition (Dick & Kellet, 2008). The accused parties, Kylie Maree Mathews and Mark Ryan Jackman, were identified as the twins’ mother and father (LWS009 Study Guide, 2013, p. 15).
The opposing crown prosecutor’s case (LWS009 Study Guide, 2013, p. 14) was presented on behalf of the State of Queensland. Upon entering the courtroom, I observed the defending Barrister (M. Backstrom, “LWS009 Lectorial 1”, 2013) cross-examining one of the last individuals who had interacted with the accused parties before the twins’ untimely demise. During the examination, it was revealed that Kylie Mathews had isolated the twins from their extended family and friends in early 2008. Additionally, Kylie Mathews ceased to respond to calls and messages and rarely left her residence.
There was limited opportunity for other adults to see the twins, but no active repelling of people who wanted to see them occurred. The atmosphere became tense when a second witness was called in. This witness followed the protocol of taking an affirmation before being cross-examined by the defending Barrister. The second witness I observed was Kylie Mathew’s consulting psychiatrist from 2008 to 2009, both before and after the twins passed away. It became evident during the time in the courtroom that Kylie Mathews’s state of mind was a significant issue for discussion.
In this context, the process of ISAAC applied to solving legal problems was a key focus. The issue of Kylie Mathew’s psychological state and the role of “magical thinking” leading up to the loss of her twins received significant attention. It was noted that Kylie Mathews had anger problems and had frequent consultations with a psychiatrist. On the day we visited the Queen Elizabeth II Courts Of Law, there were several highly noticeable trials taking place, many of which involved fatalities.
Even though we were happy to watch these trials, it is disheartening to realize the prevalence of complicated cases that require court intervention. The murder of the twins took place in 2008, but the full resolution of the case occurred in 2013, with the trial only progressing to day 11 out of 15. Witnessing a trial firsthand emphasizes the significant time and effort invested in the resolution of such cases, highlighting the importance of a dependable and consistent court system.
