Page 127 of Strays
When the day of the pre-trial hearing finally comes, I’m hopeless. We know so much about Aranya, but legally, we still have nothing on him.
Right after the arraignment, Jo was called in to give informal statements, both to Jayme and to the prosecution. So were Fontes and Sônia. Jo asked Jenna to give a statement too, but Jenna refused.
She’s been friends with Kacy for years, long before she and Jo even met. She told Jo she had already confronted Kacy and said flat out that she was wrong for supporting Luc after everything that had happened. But she also said Kacy’s blind with love, too deep in it to see straight. And that if Jenna involved herself in the case, even just to say what she saw, it would be the end of her friendship with Kacy.
Jo didn’t push. But as she told us about their conversation, I could tell she was hurt.
I didn’t know if Mike and Hugh had been called too; we’d only exchanged a few words with them since the barbecue, mostly short greetings when we bumped into each other coming or going from the house. But the same week Jo gave her statements, Mike crossed the street and met us on our own lawn just as we pulled in from the DEA.
“So you managed to get a car even more stunning than the F-150,” he said, eyeing the Bronco through the open garage door.
After we traded a few words about the car, he told us he and Hugh had been called too. “We told them the truth,” he says. “The ones who should be facing charges are that crazy couple, not you guys.”
Jayme said every deposition strengthened our case, as did the fact that we’d been cleared by Internal Affairs.
This morning, we are all nervous as we sit behind the defense table in the courtroom for our pre-trial hearing. Jay to my left, Shane to my right. Renner stands at the front, with Jayme beside him.
The judge enters.
“All rise,” the bailiff says.
We stand.
“This is a pre-trial conference in the matter of the State of Connecticut versus Kory, Jayson, and Shane Larsen,” the clerk announces. “Charge: misdemeanor assault.”
“Counselors, let’s begin,” Judge Loyle says. “Any outstanding motions before we set a trial date?”
Renner steps forward. “Yes, Your Honor. The defense has filed a motion to preclude introduction of any speculative character evidence and to reaffirm the defendants’ right to present justification based on defense of another.”
Jayme had walked us through it before the hearing. He said Renner’s motion was about two things, both critical:
First, he wanted to make sure this didn’t become a personality trial. No twisting it into “aegis are dangerous by nature.” No hints that Jay was unstable just because of what we are.
Second, he was asking the judge to confirm that we’re allowed to argue why Jay acted, that it wasn’t aggression, but protection. If the judge approves it, we can tell the whole story. Show why it happened and let the jury see it from the inside.
But if the judge says no, if he blocks that defense, then all the jury hears is that an aegis broke a man’s face at a barbecue. No context. Without that ruling, we’re not protectors; we’re just attackers.
The prosecutor counters fast. “Your Honor, the State believes the defendants’ instincts and behavioral profile as aegis are directly relevant. This was not professional use-of-force. The defendants were off duty, out of uniform, and the victim sustained significant injuries—”
Renner cuts in, smooth. “Which were the result of a drunken man making explicit advances toward a bonded nyra.”
The judge raises a hand. “Save it for trial. I’ll rule on the motion next week.”
He turns to the clerk. “Status of discovery?”
The clerk answers without looking up. “Defense has received all initial materials. Internal Affairs transcripts, civilian statements, and medical records.”
The prosecutor speaks again. “The State may call additional witnesses. We’ve requested follow-up interviews with two civilians and the responding officer.”
That means Mike, Hugh and Fontes.
The judge nods. “Any plea negotiations?”
Renner doesn’t move. “No, Your Honor.”
“Very well,” the judge says. “Trial is scheduled for September fourth. Final motions due two weeks prior. If either side anticipates pre-trial evidentiary hearings, you’ll notify the court within five business days. Conditions of release remain unchanged.”
He bangs the gavel lightly. “We’re adjourned.”
