IN this short series about the uniquely Scottish not proven verdict, I have reached the stage of the controversial trial that led to the acquittal of Alfred John Monson on the charge of murdering Lieutenant Cecil Hambrough in 1893. For me, even more than the case of alleged poisoner Madeleine Smith – probably the most famous or infamous trial ever to end in a not proven verdict – the Monson verdict proves how unsatisfactory is the “bastard verdict” as it was called by Sir Walter Scott. Next week I will give my conclusion as to whether Scotland should switch to guilty and not guilty verdicts or continue with not proven as a second form of acquittal.