My brother, I am convinced, had no more to do with the crime than I have." Sir Ernest merely smiled, and noted with a sharp eye that John's protest had produced a very favourable impression on the jury. 
Sir Ernest was happy with what John had said about his brother.
John was trying to frame his own brother.
The men are fighting
that would be a very light and relaxed meeting.
a man and women talking over dinner
A woman covering herself with a blanket is eating some crackers.
Soda and beer cans have a deposit, but juice cans do not.
The media is always careful to report matters perfectly as they have happened.