If Jesus had defended himself at his trial, would he have been set free? I think so. Not only would he have been able to show the baseless nature of the charges made against him, but his wisdom would have disarmed his accusers and liberated him from the death sentence. I know that the Messiah's suffering and death was part of God's plan, but in Mark 12:13ff, we see Jesus' ability to negotiate his accusers questions on the streets of Jerusalem.