Page 43 of Served
I nodded in agreement. She thought I was worried about court. Even though I was here, about to see Eric, I didn’t care. But I couldn’t explain that to her right now. I didn’t want to relive what happened earlier and didn’t need to get her fired up before going into a courtroom. I still couldn’t believe he left. And I didn’t even have the luxury of eating ice cream in my bed all day to dissect what happened. I had to be here today in a stuffy courtroom in dress clothes with no snacks. It came out of nowhere. I didn’t understand how we went from me putting on makeup to him walking out.
Amy and I walked into the courthouse and sat in the back of the courtroom. I was in a daze as her dad stopped to talk to me. He explained that he would give a motion offering a plea deal and they likely wouldn’t know an answer today. He said a lot of other things, but I was lucky to have caught that little info. My mind was not in the courthouse.
I saw Eric’s face as he looked to his attorney. No makeup, hair combed back nicely, wearing a navy-blue suit at the table in the front on the opposite side of the room. His nose didn’t look as straight as I remembered, and there was a faint hint of cut across it, but no bruises. It had been several weeks since everything happened and my bruises were gone, but it looked like his nose has been broken and I know I didn’t do that.
When I looked at him, I didn’t feel scared or angry. Instead, I felt sad. Seeing him only reminded me of what happened after he ran off that night. A glimpse of Jason’s face flashed in my mind. But I snapped out of it when the judge slammed the gavel, read off the case number and defendant info, then told Amy’s dad to present his case.
“Your honor, the defendant has a pending case in another jurisdiction similar to this one. And the photographic evidence speaks for itself. May I approach the bench with exhibit A?”
The judged nodded but looked completely devoid of any emotion. It was strange sitting in the back watching the motions of the case play out. It had been years since Amy’s case, and I was only there for moral support. Today I was here for myself. I kept waiting for tense music to start rolling or some outburst from Eric. But it was quiet besides papers and shoes shuffling on the floor and an occasional clearing of someone’s throat.
The judge looked at the photos which I assume were of me taken at the station. He asked the defending attorney if he had received copies.
The defense attorney spoke, “We did, your honor. But there is no physical evidence to prove that my client made those horrible wounds to that young lady. Motion to dismiss based on lack of evidence.”
For the first time since we walked in here, my heart was racing. They couldn’t just dismiss it.
Amy’s dad spoke up, “Your honor, we have the sworn testimony of the victim and a witness that came to her aid. Also, the defendant had wounds concurrent with defensive efforts. We are also prepared to have an expert witness match the handprint size of the throat wound to that of the defendant. Along with a copy of a message sent to the victim by the defendant after the alleged incident. We motion for a plea deal from the defendant to save the court time and valuable resources. May I approach the bench?”
The judge waved him up.
“Counselor, approach the bench.”
Eric’s attorney walked to the bench taking the papers Amy’s dad just handed him.
He read over it and walked back to Eric and whispered in his ear.
“Your honor, I need ample time to discuss this with my client. I request seventy-two hours as we review this case and find our own expert witnesses if necessary.”
The judge barely looked up when he replied, “Son, you have twenty-four hours. We’ll reconvene the same time tomorrow. Adjourned.”
And the gavel came down.
Eric stood and turned. He saw me in the back, and we had eye contact, but neither of us had any emotion on our face. Definitely had his nose broken. He turned and followed his attorney out and they were followed by what must have been his parents. Amy’s dad met us in the back once they left the room.
“This is all standard procedure. And we got lucky that the judge didn’t allow seventy-two hours. He’ll feel pressured to take the deal,” he said as he looked down at his watch.
“May I ask what the deal is that you proposed?” I asked.
“I offered ten years, which basically means he can get out in probably five and do parole and probation.”
“Dad, that doesn’t seem very long. Is that all we can hope for?” Amy asked as she wrapped her arm around me.
“Well, I’m not blaming you, but he’s right. There was no physical evidence except the wounds when you reported it and it was an Aggravated Assault with attempt of Aggravated Sexual Assault. She was lucky,” he answered.
“Dad!”
“Listen, I’m not trying to be insensitive, but it could’ve been worse. She’s lucky the other gentleman came to her aid. I’ll do the best I can, and we may get more time if he decides to go to trial, but it’s a toss up. Juries can be fickle. We know that.” He put his hand on my shoulder and gave a dad-smile before he turned to Amy, “I have to get to the next one. Call your mother.”
He quickly left so Amy and I left slowly making sure not to run into Eric.
As we climbed back into the car I sighed, “My boss is going to kill me. I have to be back tomorrow”
“Well, try explaining to your brand-new employer that you have to wait another week at least to start for a trial you aren’t even part of.” Amy had her condescending hat on, but she wouldn’t miss this.
“I told you I didn’t want to mess up your fancy new gallery job. You didn’t have to come. Mom offered.”
“Eww, it’s bad enoughmydad is there, can you imagine your mom?” We both chuckled but then I thought about Jason and his parents.
