Here's to You, Mr. Amaral

Tomorrow a sentence will be read.

Only one text, but two verdicts.

The first verdict, that of the Gonçalo Amaral’s Trial, in whose innocence I believe in. Have said so before, and will continue to say until forces allow me to do so.

For me, it’s irrelevant what will the sentence be. Obviously it’s not so for the gentleman.

Sir, if in this senseless affair there remains a glimpse of reason then the verdict is the obvious one: you walking away from the Courthouse as formally guiltless as you are indeed.

The second verdict, that of the Judicial System’s Trial.

That one has already a guilty verdict, just for having allowed the spectacle. A clown who proclaims himself a lawyer, and who has shamed his professional class and whoever teaches Law in Portugal, allowing for that particular man to hold such a degree.

Let's wait what disciplinary actions, if any, are taken against this person. An accusation with so many holes in it that if it were a product to be sold, the salesman would be ran off in tar and feathers for attempted insulting of the collective intelligence.

A Lawyer’s Order who endorsed this Circus, forgetting, purposely, that on the other side of the fence were professionals entitled also to their protection.

If the Gonçalo Amaral is pronounced guilty tomorrow, a Nation will ask why. The question really being: “How could you find him guilty?”

If the Gonçalo Amaral is pronounced innocent tomorrow, a Nation will also ask why. The question really being: “Why this whole sad spectacle?”

 So, tomorrow Portugal will be a very sad Country.

An already mistrusted Judicial System will be even further mistrusted. And rightfully so. A case like this should have been dismissed, not allowing it even to have had any legs to walk.

Leonor had a fair trial. To question it, based on what we have seen, is the System simply mocking itself.

Once again it will be confirmed that, in Portugal, the wisest way to face this Justice is to avoid it any way possible, independently of reason.

Everybody knows that one gets no justice from Justice. And that is exactly the Justice that the Tapas 9 quickly found out they were to face that evening.

The same Justice that, were it not for the tenacity and courage of one man, would have forgotten about them by now.

The same man who, incomprehensibly, will tomorrow have a sentence read to by the same Justice that protects those who should be sitting, a long time ago, in the dock.

Sir, I believe that both Maddie and Joana will be watching and protecting you tomorrow.

May their smiles keep your heart forever warm.

God bless you, Mr. Amaral.