Sam Mullins

And yes, yes, I am on the run from Canada for financial crimes. It's true. But I never would have done anything to hurt my friend Ron. At intermittent breaks, all the reporters would run outside to do a quick hit for television.

His story was a meandering, hairy one, filled with tangents. Ferguson tried to keep him on track, but Albert seemed to relish finally having the stage to himself. He smiled often, tried to keep it light, and it was obvious to those in the courtroom, like Elaine watching from the gallery, that his confidence was growing as he went.

His story was a meandering, hairy one, filled with tangents. Ferguson tried to keep him on track, but Albert seemed to relish finally having the stage to himself. He smiled often, tried to keep it light, and it was obvious to those in the courtroom, like Elaine watching from the gallery, that his confidence was growing as he went.

But when he reached the part of the story of most consequence, everyone in the courtroom leaned forward because this is where the prosecution and defense's stories were most at odds. The prosecution had alleged that Walker killed Ron on July 20th, but Walker claimed that the last full day he spent with Ron was 10 days before that.

But when he reached the part of the story of most consequence, everyone in the courtroom leaned forward because this is where the prosecution and defense's stories were most at odds. The prosecution had alleged that Walker killed Ron on July 20th, but Walker claimed that the last full day he spent with Ron was 10 days before that.

Walker's story was that he'd enlisted Ron to help him sail the Lady Jane all the way from Devon to Essex, but when they set out on July 9th, they immediately had trouble. Their plan was to sail the first 60 miles to a place called Portland Bill. But Ron Platt got seasick and then in the choppy waters had hurt himself. They had to abort the trip and turn the Lady Jane around.

Walker's story was that he'd enlisted Ron to help him sail the Lady Jane all the way from Devon to Essex, but when they set out on July 9th, they immediately had trouble. Their plan was to sail the first 60 miles to a place called Portland Bill. But Ron Platt got seasick and then in the choppy waters had hurt himself. They had to abort the trip and turn the Lady Jane around.

The next day, Walker had said, maybe it's best that you just go to France and gave Ron enough money to be on his way. And he alleges that he never saw him again after that. He claimed that he told all of this over the phone to Sheena that night. But he said that Sheena tends to forget things.

The next day, Walker had said, maybe it's best that you just go to France and gave Ron enough money to be on his way. And he alleges that he never saw him again after that. He claimed that he told all of this over the phone to Sheena that night. But he said that Sheena tends to forget things.

Ferguson ended his time with Albert in the witness box by asking him to describe the nature of his relationship with Ron when he became overcome with emotion. Walker said, he was a friend, somebody I felt a responsibility to, to take care of. I have never hit anyone in my life, nor have I ever been hit by anyone in my life. I'm a very passive person. I had no reason in the world to kill him.

Ferguson ended his time with Albert in the witness box by asking him to describe the nature of his relationship with Ron when he became overcome with emotion. Walker said, he was a friend, somebody I felt a responsibility to, to take care of. I have never hit anyone in my life, nor have I ever been hit by anyone in my life. I'm a very passive person. I had no reason in the world to kill him.

His version drew to a close, and the general impression was that he'd done what he'd set out to do. He offered a clear and plausible version of events.

His version drew to a close, and the general impression was that he'd done what he'd set out to do. He offered a clear and plausible version of events.

The easy part for Walker was done, but all the while he was regaling the jury with a whirlwind tale of the six years in question, Barton, the prosecutor's pen, never stopped moving. He got his crack at Walker the next afternoon, which happened to be July 1st, Canada Day.

The easy part for Walker was done, but all the while he was regaling the jury with a whirlwind tale of the six years in question, Barton, the prosecutor's pen, never stopped moving. He got his crack at Walker the next afternoon, which happened to be July 1st, Canada Day.

Barton began his cross-examination by honing in on Walker's story about this aborted sailing trip he claimed to have had with Ron. He asked, Did you call the Coast Guard about the sailing trip you took on July 9th, 1996? Yes, Walker said. You were sailing from the River Dart to Portland Bill was the plan. Do you know the distance from Dartmouth to Portland Bill? Walker said, I don't know.

Barton began his cross-examination by honing in on Walker's story about this aborted sailing trip he claimed to have had with Ron. He asked, Did you call the Coast Guard about the sailing trip you took on July 9th, 1996? Yes, Walker said. You were sailing from the River Dart to Portland Bill was the plan. Do you know the distance from Dartmouth to Portland Bill? Walker said, I don't know.

Barton asked, for a ballpark. Walker said, I haven't the faintest idea. Interesting. Also interesting, Barton pointed out, was that there was no record of him calling the Coast Guard on the 8th, 9th, or 10th. Barton pivoted to the fact that Ron's three suitcases were filled with clothes and personal belongings and were found in Walker's storage unit.

Barton asked, for a ballpark. Walker said, I haven't the faintest idea. Interesting. Also interesting, Barton pointed out, was that there was no record of him calling the Coast Guard on the 8th, 9th, or 10th. Barton pivoted to the fact that Ron's three suitcases were filled with clothes and personal belongings and were found in Walker's storage unit.

How could Platt exist in his new life in France without his clothes? He was emigrating, claimed Walker.