R v RB – Bristol Crown Court

Perhaps one of the more striking illustrations of disciplined courtroom advocacy, this trial concerned allegations of murder involving alleged organised criminal groups, with the entire confrontation recorded on CCTV and accompanied by extensive witness testimony.
The prosecution described the incident as involving “barbaric levels of savagery.” Yet the footage, once dissected with methodical precision, told a far more nuanced story.
By dismantling the prosecution’s timeline and revealing contradictions in key witness accounts, Riz secured an acquittal despite what initially appeared to be overwhelming evidence.
The outcome underscores the enduring truth that the appearance of strength in a prosecution case is often illusory when subjected to classical forensic scrutiny.