Episode 4 of "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth" kicks off with Jim delving into his meticulously compiled evidence, encompassing numerous flights, precise timings, and suspicious suitcases reportedly loaded at Heathrow Airport. This wealth of information has firmly convinced Jim of the innocence of the two individuals currently standing trial.
In the courtroom, Fhimah is acquitted, while al-Megrahi faces a life sentence after being found guilty. As officials congratulate each other, believing they have accomplished their mission, Jim collapses, overwhelmed by the outcome.
We then leap forward to the harrowing events of September 11th, 2001, eight months after the verdict. The world is shattered by the tragedy at the World Trade Center, and amidst this chaos, al-Megrahi's appeal is summarily denied.
March 2002 marks another temporal shift, with al-Megrahi being transferred to a secure unit at Balinnie Prison in Glasgow, Scotland. This relentless pursuit of justice has strained Jim's relationship with his family, as he becomes increasingly convinced of al-Megrahi's innocence.
Despite his earlier promises to Jane in previous episodes, Jim remains steadfast in his commitment to this case, continuing to collaborate with Murray. Al-Megrahi does receive a second appeal, and Jim makes his way to meet Roderick McGill, a key member of al-Megrahi's defense team.
Jim eventually secures a meeting with al-Megrahi in prison, echoing the haunting beginning of episode 1. During their face-to-face encounter, al-Megrahi emphatically denies any involvement in Flora's murder. With an intimate knowledge of the case, Jim vows to exhaust every possible avenue to achieve the right verdict and overturn al-Megrahi's conviction.
After a year of relentless pursuit, Jim reached out to Murray, seeking to broker a deal. He had secured an interview with al-Megrahi, but the world had shifted dramatically since the inception of their investigation. The specter of 9/11 and the ensuing war on terror had steered the media's focus towards more pressing narratives. Additionally, Jim was reminded that public opinion had largely convicted al-Megrahi, and most had moved on from the case.
Returning to his home, Jim faced a harrowing reality: his family was slipping away from him. His children and grandchildren were infrequently present, and Jane, burdened by the house's painful memories, longed to sell it and leave.
Amidst this personal turmoil, Jim relentlessly pursued the investigation. He sought the insights of Robert Baer, a former CIA operative who had authored a book convincingly arguing that Iran had bombed the flight. Baer possessed irrefutable evidence implicating Iran, but the US administration had suppressed it due to the onset of the war on terror and the strategic need to keep Iran onside. Consequently, the blame was unfairly cast upon Libya, making al-Megrahi the scapegoat.
Fast forward to 2007, when the review commission finally issued their verdict, which led to an appeal. A year later, Murray uncovered documents concealed from the trial and the public, undeniably proving Libya's innocence. However, these crucial documents had been buried, and Murray's audacious revelations brought him perilously close to retribution. A year hence, they were forced to abandon the case, as publishing it would have incurred legal fees sufficient to bankrupt the newspaper.
When Murray consulted Jim about publishing the findings elsewhere, Jim was eager but Murray discouraged him, fearing the worst. Matters took a heart-wrenching turn when Jim learned of al-Megrahi's prostate cancer diagnosis. Devastated yet determined, Jim vowed to clear al-Megrahi's name and prevent him from being remembered as the Lockerbie bomber, despite his impending fate.
The sole viable option to extricate al-Megrahi from his prison cell lies in securing his release on grounds of compassion. Yet, it is an avenue none of the leaders entertain with any sincerity. On the poignant milestone of the 20th anniversary of the bombing, which coincides with December 21st, 2008, Jim and Jane find themselves deeply at odds. Jim's defiance is particularly evident in the badge he wears, emblazoned with the words "Justice for Megrahi." They occupy diametrically opposed corners of the room, barely exchanging words, with Jim effectively ostracized by all who choose to distance themselves from his stance. Jane, persuaded that Jim's rigid position is merely a manifestation of his profound grief, implores him to seek solace in reason, reminding him of the myriad losses his obstinacy is causing in his life. But Jim remains unyielding, causing Jane to retreat in frustration, her patience worn thin.
