How did the prosecution know what Bates said?
In the 2012 Downton Abbey Christmas Special, the prosecution seems to have a very good idea of all sorts of things Mr. Bates said in various "private" moments - during a side conversation with Anna that was overheard by O'Brien, while dressing his Lordship, and while talking on the phone with his wife in a private conversation that Mrs. Hughes overheard.
Things might have just been condensed for narrative clarity, but it really seems like the the prosecutor knew exactly who to call up and what to ask them. However, none of the other people mentioned would have voluntarily revealed anything (not even O'Brien, I think, since she seems to have had a change of heart at this point).
I just don't see how this information could have gotten to the prosecutor, so I'm curious: how did the prosecution find out about these remarks? Did the police interrogate those three off-screen and I missed it? Or is there another character who could have overheard all those conversations, and tipped the prosecutor off?
Best Answer
To agree with the comment that Tacroy has put forward:
It's my personal theory that while being interrogated, Bates told the prosecution about all those things he said and who could confirm it, just because he's such a giant dramaface.
I can only assume that Bates was honest to the core and admitted these things to the police under interrogation as he did not want to be mis-interpreted or omit anything that would just get him into more trouble.
However, it could be that one of the other servants, namely O'Brien who never liked Bates and could have been listening in on conversations (as she was accustomed to do) and then told the police about the discussion with the Earl. I don't think she had a change of heart about disliking Bates, but about the fact that he could have been executed for it.
Maybe it's a plot hole that will come to light in the next series, who knows.
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How is Mr Bates proven innocent?
But by Christmas 1924, Molesley and Baxter find proof of Bates' innocence in the testimony of a York pub landlord who remembered Bates from the day Green died, while the witness who identified Anna had begun having doubts.How does Anna prove Bates innocence?
Anna was released from jail, but that brought her no joy as Bates was a wanted man. Molesley (in a moment of not complete uselessness) decided to prove Bates's innocence by going around York and showing Bates's photo to all of the pubs in the town.What secret does Bates have on O Brien?
First, we deliciously learn what Bates whispered to O'Brien: "her ladyship's soap." Yes, that would be the trump card that Thomas needed.Does Bates get caught for killing Green?
Anna Bates \u2014 one of a handful of Downton Abbey characters who has never done a selfish, mean-spirited thing in her life \u2014 is arrested and sent to the slammer for the alleged murder of Mr. Green, the valet who raped her.Mr. Bates Discovers Anna's Secret | Downton Abbey
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Answer 2
In relation to the conversation Mrs. Hughes heard through the grating; Mrs. Hughes, as we know, told Carson. Carson no doubt blabbed to His Lordship, as usual. His Lordship told his wife, Lady Grantham, and Her Ladyship blabbed to O'Brien, as usual. O'Brien, of course, told Thomas. Either that, or O'Brien and/or Thomas was lurking in the hallway, and overheard the conversation Mrs. Hughes was listening to through the grate. Then, O'Brien, if it was she who was listening, no doubt gleefully told it to Thomas. Either way, it was Thomas who blabbed to the prosecutor.
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