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Maci
The whole courtroom waits with bated breath as the jury deliberates. It has been a total of three hours since they have left the courtroom to discuss the evidence we all presented.
If you ask me, it is an open and shut case. We all know Savros is guilty and we all know he had motive to kill this innocent family.
We have been in trial for weeks discussing every piece of evidence we all have. We have been examining the witnesses, going over video footage and we have been going over the financial statements that prove money has been traded.
Everything is in line for the case. But why am I so nervous?
I sit in the front row, first chair of the prosecutor side and watch everyone in the room look at their phones and around them to entertain themselves. I should be prepping for any final arguments needed today, but I’m too nervous.
It is not every day a brand new Assistant District Attorney is able to prosecute a capital offense.
I look at my nailbeds that are flawless at the moment since I splurged and got a manicure and pedicure over the weekend. I needed something to get my mind off this trial.
“Do you think he’s guilty?” One of the people in the audience asks another.
“Damn right! He totally murdered that family. And for what? Because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time?” Another answers.
“Why would they put out a hit on someone’s family like this?”
“Can you guys shut up? I don’t want to hear you discuss the inner workings of the mafia!” Someone yells out.
The defendant, Savros Vitali, was ushered out of the courtroom right before the jury left to go and deliberate. It was nice to see they had him in chains since he’s totally guilty of the crime.
Six months ago, he murdered an entire family of seven. Two parents along with their five children. It has got to be the most disturbing case this city has seen in years. No one knew how out of control this family was.
What’s worse? They are not even part of the mafia. There has been no linking the Vitali family with any known mafia family in our city and/or our state. No one can figure out what the hell is wrong with these people and it’s scaring everyone.
I bundle my long blonde hair in one hand and look over to the left of me to see the defense attorney, Jerome Bates, looking at me sideways. We actually went to law school together but he had other plans than I did. I could have never been a defense attorney for the obvious reasons. I would rather represent the people.
Ten minutes ago, we were all called to come back to the courtroom because the jury has decided on their verdict.
Everyone in this courtroom is nervous for their own reasons. I’m nervous because my boss is sitting next to me looking at all of the notes I have taken during the trial. The trial that has taken two weeks.
One of the longest trials of my career. Well, that’s not saying much since I’m younger than most people who work for the court. However, this is a high-profiled case.
This is the case that can make or break my career.
My supervisor, Mary, is busy playing on her phone. I look at the woman with short brown hair and notice how old she is looking since the last time I saw her a month ago. She leaves for a month every so often to go and do something but never shares the details.
“You did good work, Maci,” she mumbles with her smoker’s voice. The woman smokes way too many cigarettes for being one to boast about the health of our bodies.
“Thanks,” I grumble nervously. I needed the reassurance but I need this trial to be over as soon as I can get it over with.
Judge Malcolm enters the room with a grim smile on his robust face. He sits back at his seat and nods over to the bailiff to let back in the jury. I have seen this song and dance before. However, this is the first time I can feel pressure of having to do well.
One by one, all twelve jurors come out from the side room just to sit in their original seats they were in hours ago. A man is holding the piece of paper with a slight grin on his face.
“Has the jury made a decision for the case of Savros Vitali?” Judge asks the jury once they are seated down.
“We have, your honor.”
The juror gives the verdict to a known bailiff in the room the piece of paper. We all wait.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we would like to thank you for your participation and willing to be here,” the judge says apprehensively. “In charges of first-degree murder, how does the jury find the defendant?”
