I'm baffled by the advice given to these elders by the Legal Dept.
If the Watchtower Society had instructed them to comply fully with the police, the story - whilst still newsworthy given the circumstances of the death of his wife and the horrific crimes he went on to commit - would have have been nowhere near so abhorrent.
3 years of obstructing the police investigation followed by months of legal wrangling with the courts folllowed by an 11th hour submission under threat from the judge makes them look like they are fighting so hard to protect a paedophile and showing no regard for the victims.
They are their own worst enemies - like Rick Simmons said a while back - they need a few more lessons. Their <almost certainly Jehovahs Witness> barrister Richard Daniels got a short lesson in this trial. He said:
'Privileged communication between members of the congregation and ministers is an absolute right and duty and there is no power in law to breach such a confidence.'
The judge disagreed:
“It is apparent that the three elders who were present when this conversation took place are in possession of relevant evidence as to a point which is of real significance in this case. They claim the right of confidentiality, they claim that what they heard said by the defendant during the course of that meeting ought to be subject to privilege, as ministers of religion. Public interest is clearly in favour of this evidence being given. What was said by the defendant on that occasion is of great significance in the trial.'
We know what happened next.
Take your lesson Richard Daniels Jehovahs Witness barrister registered address 177 Bittacy Hill....
