Page 87 of A Trial of the Heart
“After you.” I forced a smile and gestured for her to go first. While I wanted Arthur and
William to be guilty and pay for all the lives they ruined, I was prepared for a not guilty verdict. Guilty or not, I was still blessed because I had already beat my case.
With my legs crossed and my foot bouncing, I fanned myself with papers I’d folded together. It was hot as hell in the courtroom. Looking to my watch for the tenth time in the last twenty minutes, I groaned at the time. Court was supposed to start at 8:30 a.m., and it was two minutes before 9:00 a.m. We hadn’t gotten notice on why court had been late; all we could do was wait.
“All rise,” the bailiff finally announced, and every able body in the court room stood, and the room fell silent.
In my head, I heard the music fromJudge JudyorJudge Mathis.I couldn’t determine which one as Judge Fairbanks walked out. Fairbanks hadn’t been the judge on my case due to the conflict of interest as he was the one that I went to about the misconduct. Surprisingly enough, he presided over Arthur and William’s case, even though they had argued many cases in front of him.
“Judge Preston Fairbanks proceeding. This court is now in session. You may be seated,” the bailiff spoke loudly seconds after Fairbanks had gotten seated.
Sitting, I looked at Fairbanks. He looked much different than the many times I’d seen him. He looked extremely disappointed.
Pulling his thin glasses from his face, he spoke without looking up. “As you all know, my name is Judge Preston Fairbanks. Today is June 5th, and the time is now…” He checked his watch. “…9:17 a.m.” He sighed. “Bailiff, you can escort the jury into the courtroom.”
With a nod, the bailiff headed to the side door, and moments after, the twelve jurors that had heard arguments from both sides filed into the courtroom.
My eyes perused each of them as they took their seats, I tried my best to decipher each of their expressions. However, they all seemed emotionless.
Once they were seated, Fairbanks finally raised his head and looked directly at them. “Has the jury reached a verdict?”
“We have, Your Honor.” The older gentleman that represented the jury stood and spoke.
“Bailiff, could you hand me that please?” Fairbanks gestured, referring to the paper that stated whether they were guilty or not. “At this time, ladies and gentlemen, the court will conduct a polling of the jury. I will ask each juror if this is their personal verdict, meaning they have not been persuaded or bribed in any way. I would like for you to respond with ‘Yes, that is my verdict’or ‘No, that is not my verdict,’ whichever the case might be. Understood?”
They all answered in unison.I didn’t know what was on the paper, but I had a feeling Fairbanks wanted to ensure they all agreed so that nothing could alter whatever the outcome would be. Calling out numbers in random, Fairbanks asked each juror if they were in agreement or not until he had questioned all twelve.
“Thank you.” He dropped his head to his papers again. “Bailiff, hand this to juror number one, please.” He handed off the paper once again. “Arthur and William Whitlock, please stand.”
In unison they stood. Arthur seemed carefree, placing his hands behind his back and clasping them. I found the gesture ironic as I was hoping that would be his position with cuffs attached. William, on the other hand, seemed like a scared little man. His frame seemed slouched and shaky from behind.
“Juror one, could you please read the verdict, beginning with William Whitlock followed by Arthur Whitlock.” Fairbanks adjusted, leaning back in his chair.
I felt Isla’s small hand grasp mine and squeeze. I knew she wanted a guiltyverdict.
“We the jury find the defendant, William Whitlock, on count one of perjury, guilty. On count two of obstruction of justice, guilty. On count three of malicious prosecution, guilty as charged in the indictment.”
The court erupted. Leaning over, I dropped my head, finding myself with tears rolling freely. No other charges mattered. I knew they’d be found guilty of them all as the first charge was the hardest to prove.
“Order! Order in my court room, or all that cannot gather themselves will be held in contempt!” Fairbanks shouted, not even bothering to bang his gavel for the attention. Like a band,the noise ceased instantly. “Juror one, you may continue,” he stated.
Never looking up, I continued crying tears of joy while listening to all of William’s guilty verdicts before they moved on to Arthur and giving him the same verdicts as his son. In addition to William, Arthur had three extra charges with only one of them being dismissed.
“Prosecutors, is there anything you’d like to say?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” A well respected and no-nonsense attorney, Jamie Lackey, stood. “With Mr. Arthur Whitlock and Mr. William Whitlock being tied to the community and their disregard for a lot of things during this trial, we’re asking that both parties be detained at the county jail until sentencing.”
“Your honor, with all due respect, my son and I have not given a reason to be detained until sentencing. I respectfully ask that you allow us the time with our families until then,” Arthur spoke up.
“Your Honor, they have manipulated the courts for years, having innocent men and women detained for their personal gain. I am in no way convinced that once they leave this courtroom today that they will not try to flee the country in hope to avoid the sentencing.”
Arthur was about to speak again, but Fairbanks extended his arm, halting his words.
“I am allowing the defendants to go home until sentencing. However, you both will be placed on house arrest, your passports will be handed over, and I am requesting daily check-ins with the courts two times a day.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Arthur seemed appreciative, even though he’d just been found guilty on multiple charges and most likely would never see the outside of a prison once sentenced.
After jotting down a few things, Fairbanks looked toward the jury. “I want to thank each of you for your time and services. Iknow sitting in court for hours and weeks at a time was not easy, so on behalf of this court, I personally say thank you.”
