Jobstown trial: First day of what is going to be a long, hot trial

Some criminal trials manage to attract huge public interest, but few have ever matched the opening day of the trial of the so-called Jobstown Seven.

The elements of a trial which are usually a draw on the public’s interest are not present here.

There is no murder, no spousal love torn asunder, no crime of passion to parse, no repellent detail that renders the trial compelling.