Acting as his own counsel, he was unable to testify in his own defense. After he was convicted by the jury Mortimer was able to produce evidence to the judges that he had no personal knowledge of the libelous article, but it was too late.
Representing himself, Mortimer was unable to offer testimony in his defense. Following his conviction by the jury, he presented evidence to the judges showing he had no involvement in the defamatory article, although it was too late.