Could the choirboys have broken from the procession without being noticed?

After Sunday mass, a procession would file out of the cathedral, down the steps and along the south side of the building. Choir members -about 60 in total - were in two-by-two formation. The trials heard there was strict discipline for members to stay in line, especially while in public view. But former members admitted once out of sight of the public, boys began talking, most were focused on going home and the discipline eased. No one ever saw two boys break off, but prosecutor Mark Gibson, SC, queried how anybody could recall something they never saw. Defence counsel Robert Richter, QC, argued it was impossible every member, including the choir marshal and other men, were looking the other way when two boys in robes did a runner. How long did Pell stay on the front steps? Loading During his time as Archbishop, Pell greeted parishioners on the front steps of the cathedral after Sunday mass, often for at least 10 minutes and sometimes for up to 20. Mr Gibson conceded that if Pell stayed at the steps for some time, it nullified the opportunity he had to get back to the sacristy and discover the choirboys. But the time of the allegations, in December 1996, was early in Pell's tenure and therefore if he was at the steps, it was "entirely possible" it was a brief stay. Former altar server Daniel McGlone told the retrial he had a distinct memory of introducing his mother to Pell on the steps after the first Sunday mass the then archbishop conducted. Pell's defence team argued Pell would have been on the steps for at least 10 minutes. Was Pell ever left alone?

It was the job of priest Charles Portelli, the master of ceremonies at Sunday mass, to be with the archbishop at all times, to escort him to and from the steps, to and from the sacristy to robe and disrobe, and to get him to any other engagements afterwards. If Monsignor Portelli wasn't at his side, then sacristan Max Potter would have been, the trials heard. Mr Richter argued that just as the Queen was never left unattended by aides or servants, leaving the archbishop alone while robed "just didn't happen". But Mr Gibson countered that the day Pell confronted the choirboys was early in his working relationship with Monsignor Portelli, when the men were "ironing out" their movements. It was possible, Mr Gibson said, Pell was left alone for a few minutes, while Monsignor Portelli attended to other duties and Mr Potter was busy cleaning up after mass.

Pell celebrating mass in St Patrick's Cathedral. Credit:Wayne Taylor Was the sacristy a busy room? Loading In late 1996 the priests' sacristy was used by clerics to robe and disrobe while the archbishop's sacristy was out of use because of renovations. The room was unlocked after mass so Mr Potter and altar servers could ferry candles, wine and other items in from the sanctuary, and Pell could disrobe. But Mr Gibson said there was a five-minute window after mass when the room was empty, while participants were in a procession and Mr Potter was still at the sanctuary. It was during this time, Mr Gibson said, the choirboys snuck into the sacristy, swigged wine and were discovered by Pell, who sexually assaulted them. Pell himself told police the room was "a hive of activity" after mass, while his lawyers said it was "bustling" with people. Mr Richter said "only a madman" would dare try sexually abuse boys in that room after mass, knowing someone could walk through the open door at any moment. The archbishop's robes

Pell was alleged to have sexually assaulted the two choirboys while he was still in his ceremonial robes. The jury was shown the thick, ankle-length purple robes Pell wore as archbishop, and were allowed to examine them in the jury room. Mr Richter said it would have been impossible for Pell to have exposed himself to the boys (before he sexually abused them), as the robes were cumbersome and had no slit. But Mr Gibson, relaying the evidence of the victim, told the jury the robes could be manouevred to the side, which would have allowed Pell to have undone his pants underneath.