Sam Mullins

It was on this historic red cobblestone, upon which the key players in the case made their entrances in tinted vehicles. The judge, the prosecutor, the defense lawyer, all men worthy of this stage, all considered among the best barristers in England. Albert Walker was brought handcuffed out of the van and out of view of most of the telephoto lenses.

Of course, no longer able to get his bi-weekly color treatments, he showed up wearing a beard of solid white. Clenahan arrived with his captain, Phil Sincock, as Sheena was whisked into the courthouse undetected. To the prospective jurors, the Crown attorney advised that they would be calling a total 36 witnesses and that the trial would last about four weeks.

Of course, no longer able to get his bi-weekly color treatments, he showed up wearing a beard of solid white. Clenahan arrived with his captain, Phil Sincock, as Sheena was whisked into the courthouse undetected. To the prospective jurors, the Crown attorney advised that they would be calling a total 36 witnesses and that the trial would last about four weeks.

They quickly selected a jury comprised of eight women and four men. And with that, the judge nodded to begin. Crown Prosecutor Charles Barton was a man of substantial size and volume. He was well known to never need the aid of his notes. And when he spoke in court, he never made eye contact with anyone but the jury.

They quickly selected a jury comprised of eight women and four men. And with that, the judge nodded to begin. Crown Prosecutor Charles Barton was a man of substantial size and volume. He was well known to never need the aid of his notes. And when he spoke in court, he never made eye contact with anyone but the jury.

The first five words of Barton's opening statement were, "...this case depends upon detail." His opening remarks gave the jury a quick skim of all the evidence that he would be presenting, and promised that while almost all of it would be circumstantial in nature, that when held all at once, the truth of what happened to Ron Platt would be undeniable.

The first five words of Barton's opening statement were, "...this case depends upon detail." His opening remarks gave the jury a quick skim of all the evidence that he would be presenting, and promised that while almost all of it would be circumstantial in nature, that when held all at once, the truth of what happened to Ron Platt would be undeniable.

And with that, it was time to call the first witness.

And with that, it was time to call the first witness.

Who Barton would call to the witness stand first was of huge significance strategically, and was a call that he'd been ruminating on for months. And so, with all eyes fixed on him, Barton said the words that one reporter in the courtroom described as having the effect of gunfire in a church. He said, My Lord, the first witness I'm going to call is Sheena Walker. Coming up on Sea of Lies.

Who Barton would call to the witness stand first was of huge significance strategically, and was a call that he'd been ruminating on for months. And so, with all eyes fixed on him, Barton said the words that one reporter in the courtroom described as having the effect of gunfire in a church. He said, My Lord, the first witness I'm going to call is Sheena Walker. Coming up on Sea of Lies.

Sea of Lies is produced by What's the Story Sounds for CBC. It's hosted and written by me, Sam Mullins, and produced and reported by Alex Gatenby. Mixing and sound design is by Ivan Eastley. From What's the Story Sounds, our executive producers are David Waters and Daryl Brown. At CBC Podcasts, the senior producers are Andrew Friesen and Damon Fairless. Eunice Kim is our story editor.

Sea of Lies is produced by What's the Story Sounds for CBC. It's hosted and written by me, Sam Mullins, and produced and reported by Alex Gatenby. Mixing and sound design is by Ivan Eastley. From What's the Story Sounds, our executive producers are David Waters and Daryl Brown. At CBC Podcasts, the senior producers are Andrew Friesen and Damon Fairless. Eunice Kim is our story editor.

Emily Connell is our digital coordinating producer. Executive producers are Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak. Senior manager is Tanya Springer. And the director of CBC Podcasts is Arif Noorani.

Emily Connell is our digital coordinating producer. Executive producers are Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak. Senior manager is Tanya Springer. And the director of CBC Podcasts is Arif Noorani.

My lord, the first witness I'm going to call is Sheena Walker. There was an audible gasp as everyone looked to the back door in disbelief. Most of the reporters weren't expecting Sheena Walker to be on the witness stand at all, let alone be first. And she was all alone, because even though Officer Brian Slade had been with her every step, preparing her for this moment...

My lord, the first witness I'm going to call is Sheena Walker. There was an audible gasp as everyone looked to the back door in disbelief. Most of the reporters weren't expecting Sheena Walker to be on the witness stand at all, let alone be first. And she was all alone, because even though Officer Brian Slade had been with her every step, preparing her for this moment...

He was not there in the courtroom to see it.

He was not there in the courtroom to see it.

As she moved toward the witness box, all eyes were on her, none more intently than those of her father. His eyes seemed to be reaching out, determined to meet hers, but he was boxed out by the body of a support worker.