Hi all, I am updating the background information section for Deirdre and wondered if anyone could help me with a query. I know Deirdre was almost written out with Ray when Neville Buswell quit in 1978 but I can't find any information on why exactly plans were changed and Deirdre was saved. Carterboi33 (talk) 23:47, April 26, 2019 (UTC)
Deirdre was not falsely accused or convicted![]
She signed legally binding documents to obtain monies and credit cards in her name. The fact that she was conned into this is irrelevant.
Her problem, and why she was convicted and Jon got to walk away, was because she didn't follow the advice of her lawyer.
That advice was…
Plead guilty. (Accepting responsibility for her own actions)
Throw herself on the mercy of the court. (Demonstrating remorse for her crimes)
Blame the other person. (Mitigate her wrongdoing by blaming the real perpetrator)
She didn't do that. Instead she got rid of her lawyer and shopped around for one that would follow her “legal expertise” in conducting her defence.
Jon followed his lawyer’s advice which was the same as the advice first given to Deidre.
Deidre's trial lawyer followed her directions for a “winning strategy”. Then she was surprised she lost.
That strategy was…
Plead not guilty. (Blissfully ignoring all the legally binding documents with her signature all over them)
Demonstrated no remorse. (I’ve done nothing wrong so why be remorseful)
Blame the other person. (I’ve done nothing wrong because he made me do it)
Anyone with half a brain cell can see why this was a doomed strategy. You can’t claim on the one hand that you did nothing wrong, but then try to convince people that you’re a victim conned into doing wrong. In the eyes of the jury she appears like a cold criminal who can’t ever admit to any wrongdoing, and Jon appears to be a victim caught up in her crimes. Even after being convicted she still protested that she did nothing wrong.
The declaration box on bank/building society documents are legally binding, and shouldn’t be signed unless you are 100% certain the information you have given is factual. You can, and will be prosecuted if it’s not, and in Deirdre case it wasn't anywhere near factual.
If a lawyer gives you legal advice, follow it. Even if you don’t like it. Their job is to protect you legally. Don’t think you know better than them, and shop around until you find a money grabber who will happily bill you while following your ideas to certain doom.
In short, Deirdre was sent to prison because she was stupid.
Not stupid in that she was conned into committing a crime, but rather she was stupid for not following the legal advice of her lawyer.