In 2018 George Pell found himself in a Melbourne courtroom facing five charges of child sexual abuse. The cardinal had hired one of the top defence barristers in the state, who argued that what Pell was accused of was completely impossible. But at the end of the trial Pell sat impassively as in a hushed courtroom he was found guilty of all charges. How did he lose this case? Melissa Davey sat in on the trial and tells David Marr the details only someone who was in the courtroom would know

• David Marr: Brutal and dogmatic, George Pell waged war on sex – even as he abused children

• Follow live updates on the reaction to Pell’s conviction

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