Sample Chapter 27 – Jail Break
Sarah leaned over and whispered to Sandy, “Remember, this is an arraignment. You have nothing to defend, nothing to explain, and no one to convince of your innocence. That happens during a trial, if there is one. The judge will ask how you plead, and your answer is, ‘Not Guilty, Your Honor!’ Then let me do my job to get you out of here.”
The judge did ask after the allegations of committing second-degree murder had been read aloud, and Sandy answered, “Not guilty, Your Honor.”
“Does the prosecution have any pertinent thoughts regarding bail?” asked the judge.
Thurston Jenkins, Prosecuting Attorney, said, “Absolutely, Your Honor. This person represents an extreme danger to our community and should be held over until trial without the benefit of posting bail.”
“Your Honor, if I may?” Sarah started, not waiting for the judge to call on her.
“You may, Ms. Thompson. Proceed.”
Sarah stood and plowed ahead. “Your Honor, while two young men have lost their lives, there is nothing found in the discovery at the crime scene that would indicate in any way that my client had the means to commit these crimes.
My client was under assault by both of these men, and if a weapon had been in her possession…well… I’d be pursuing self-defense on her behalf. No weapon was found in my client’s possession or at the scene. She could not have killed these men.
In addition, the fatal injuries suffered by these men were of unknown origin to both seasoned homicide and forensic detectives, as well as the County Coroner. That said, the weapon was classified as unknown.
My client feared for her safety, if not for her life, and is not a threat to any community member or anyone else. She is not a flight risk since she is one of our community’s active and well-respected real estate brokers. I respectfully request that no bond be set and that she be released to return home and resume essential employment activities under her own recognizance.”
The prosecuting attorney struggled to get his girth from his chair to stand and protested, “Your Honor, how do we know this person will not flee? Given the grave nature of these crimes, I would be doing our community a grave disservice by condoning her release.”
“Mr. Jenkins, I hear your concerns, but these circumstances are not so cut and dried. I will agree to release Ms. Tillman into the custody of Ms. Thompson on the condition that the defendant wears an ankle monitor and does not leave the county without permission from this court.”
The judge continued, “There are enough unanswered questions regarding the circumstances of these deaths, and with Ms. Tillman as the only witness to the mysterious events, that I have no choice but to remand this matter over to a trial by a jury of her peers.”
The judge’s gavel fell with a sharp crack, and so did the level of Sandy’s angst, at least for now.
Blanche approached the defense table with shackles still in her hands. “Jailor, if you attempt to put those shackles on this person, I will have you wearing them for the rest of the day. Do you understand me?” said the judge, pointing her gavel threateningly at Blanche.
Sandy snickered loud enough for Blanche to hear, held her cuffed hands out over the table, and said, “And you can take these off too, Sugar Butt.”
Blanche turned and glanced back at the judge, only to find her watching every move she made. With looks that could kill or maim, Blanche leaned over to unlock the handcuffs. Sandy whispered, “Yeah, just you and me, Sugar Butt. Maybe next time. Hey, why don’t you and I walk back to my cell together? Maybe we can hold hands and make plans for a reunion.”
Sandy, full of having the upper hand, immediately thought better of taunting the little troll. After all, the troll had a reputation for swinging a wicked baton she had already been warned about. Sarah saw what was happening between them and intervened, offering to accompany them both back to Sandy’s cell.
After Sandy’s clothes and personal belongings were returned and her ankle monitor was attached, she texted Mel to come pick her up. Sarah turned her around and firmly took her by the upper arms. “This is not over, Sandy. We have a long way to go and a trial that will be difficult to manage in the heads and hearts of a jury. I know you’re feeling pretty good right now, but don’t let down your guard, as this fight has only just begun.”
“I know,” Sandy said, dropping her head in deference. I know I’d not be in this position right now without everything you’ve done to make this happen. Tell me what to do next, and I’ll do it, okay? Promise!”
“Next? You go home and get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow so we can plan for the trial. I’m still determining how long it will take to get something on the schedule and have them impanel a jury. Just guessing, but I’d say we might have a month at most, possibly sooner than that.”
As Sandy signed herself out, Mel walked up, stood beside her friend, and wrapped an arm around her waist. “So… another jailbreak? How many lives does this little kitty have?”
Sandy looked directly at Mel, saying nothing, with only a slight hint of a smile.
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