Defence lawyer draws on Mason and Columbo for inspiration

Looking directly at the jurors, Rama Valayden raised his right hand and slapped himself hard on both cheeks.

The nine members looked taken aback, especially when the barrister urged them to do the same.

With the dramatic flourish, one of many during his 90-minute address, the lawyer was attempting to explain that slap marks were not readily visible in subsequent medical examinations, no matter how hard you dealt them.