Posted on 11/01/2002 11:05:26 AM PST by Logic_3
UK Princess Diana butler case collapses
By Nikki Tait, Law Courts correspondent
Published: November 1 2002 13:21 | Last Updated: November 1 2002 13:21
Paul Burrell, former royal butler and aide to Diana, Princess of Wales, was on Friday found not guilty, on all three counts, of stealing from the estate of the princess, the Prince of Wales and Prince William.
The dramatic collapse of the Burrell trial at the Old Bailey followed revelations that the former butler had told the Queen in a private conversation following Diana's death that he had kept some of the princess's possessions for safe-keeping.
Appearing for Mr Burrell, William Boyce, QC, told the court that it had been "an important part of the prosecution case that there was no evidence that Mr Burrell informed anyone that he was holding property belonging to the executors of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales or Prince William".
But, Mr Boyce continued, on Monday this week, police told the prosecution that Mr Burrell had mentioned to the Queen that he had taken some of the princess's papers for safe-keeping at a private meeting shortly after the princess's death.
"No response was sought by Mr Burrell from the Queen and Her Majesty made no comment," Mr Boyce added.
Mr Boyce said that trial was no longer viable because it had proceeded on a false premise. After hearing submissions from both sides, Mrs Justice Rafferty, the judge, instructed that Mr Burrell was not guilty on all three counts of theft.
According to Mr Burrell's lawyers, the former butler had mentioned the meeting with the Queen in a 39-page document setting out his case. However, that document did not suggest that he informed the Queen that he was holding property for safe-keeping. As a result, neither the police nor the prosecution contacted the Queen about the private meeting.
It was only after the trial began that the Queen realised that her evidence might be relevant - and steps were taken to bring the information to the attention of the police.
Mr Burrell, who had been arrested on theft charges in January 2001, had faced allegations that he stole a total of about 300 items belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales. When news that the prosecution was dropping the case broke in court, Mr Burrell, normally stoic and emotionless, collapsed in sobs.
A statement issued later on his behalf said that he had "always maintained his total innocence", and thanked the various people who had stood by him.
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