The judgment was final
and the verdict was swift.
Today Ricky Stuart has been officially sentenced to three
years hard time at the maximum security institution that is the Parramatta National Rugby League Club.
His crime? Masquerading as a successful
rugby league coach. He was found guilty on all counts. The verdict was unanimous.
A stoic Stuart stood
stony faced as Chief Justice Roy Spagnolo began his final summation, but was
unable to conceal his obvious revulsion and horror as the sentence was
revealed. Courtroom attendees claimed that Stuart looked ‘a broken man’ as the
bailiff put a blue and gold scarf around his neck.
Distraught members of
the Stuart family sobbed as Spagnolo delivered his decision, with one family
member vocal in pleading for leniency, claiming that Ricky did not deserve such
harsh punishment.
Spagnolo disclosed
that it was Stuart’s mismanagement during his final years at the Sydney
Roosters, followed by middling performances throughout his tenure with the
Cronulla Sharks that really shaped the outcome.
Stuart’s team put
together a compelling case and argued vigorously in Stuart’s defense. They
cited his premiership win as a rookie coach in 2002, followed by consecutive grand
final outings in 2003 and 2004, as obvious examples of Ricky’s high caliber coaching
ability.
Prosecutors countered
that even Nathan Brown would have been able to lead that star studded Roosters
line-up to victory, but quickly withdrew their statement when reflecting on
Brown’s record with the St George-Illawarra Steelers.
The crux of the
defense was Stuart’s most recent outing as NSW State of Origin coach, where the
Blues took Queensland to the absolute brink of defeat across the three game
series.
The prosecution strenuously
objected, calling for any evidence from State of Origin to be declared inadmissible. They claimed that any sporting event where Paul “Fatty” Vautin had a credible coaching record be deemed irrelevant to points of law. Spagnolo agreed, throwing
out the vast majority of Stuart’s defense strategy, and with it any chance he had
of winning the case.
In his closing remarks
the prosecution referred to Stuart’s delusional belief that Jarryd Hayne would
excel as a five-eight as a prime example of Stuart’s complete and utter inability
to accurately evaluate talent. A court reporter would later claim this was the
hammer blow that sealed Stuart’s fate.
In the judge’s final review
Spagnolo created some controversy by openly declaring his excitement at seeing
Hayne playing in the halves for the Eels next season, drawing sniggers from the
jurors and courtroom gallery alike. Spagnolo was swift in wiping this statement
off the record.
Outside the courtroom
Ricky’s management team voiced their disappointment at Spagnolo’s verdict, but
defiantly declared that they will be investigating all available avenues with
which to fight the decision. A close confidant of Stuart’s was convinced a
loophole would be found, citing the precedent set when Daniel Anderson, and
more recently Stephen Kearney, successfully applied for early parole.
Eels fans supporting a
stay of execution had established a picket line outside the courtroom. As news
of the guilty verdict quickly made its way outside they could be heard wailing
in anger and disbelief, unsure of the full ramifications of the decision but
knowing it could only mean more misery.
An appeal is expected
to be lodged as early as next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment