A Better Place to Be by David Wind

Author:David Wind
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Literature & Fiction, Contemporary American Fiction, Harry Chapin, women's fiction, Psychological, Family Life, Addiction, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Music
Publisher: DMW
Published: 2017-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Room 1701, Nassau County Courthouse, November.

Sitting in thoughtful silence, John looked around the courthouse. It was exactly like all the courtrooms he had been in before, only this time he was the star, not the accounting expert. They’d been in the courtroom for under five minutes when the judge entered and took his seat.

The bandage was gone from his face, revealing the fading purple into yellow bruises, running along the cheek from mouth to eye, that hurt whenever he moved his mouth. The skin beneath the cast on his arm itched, and whenever he tried to scratch it, the pain radiated up his arm, but those were only physical pains, and he handled them easily.

John’s attorney leaned toward him. “Judge Gallagher is a stickler for the letter of the law, so whatever happens will be up to your doctor.”

After the judge sat, he and the clerk had spoken in whispers, he’d nodded and the clerk stepped forward. “Case number 20A -1872396, Nassau County v. John R. Edghes, charges filed: drunk and disorderly, assault, battery, resisting arrest, assault on a policeman. The defendant will please rise.”

John stood, as did his lawyer. The judge leaned forward. “How do you plead, Mr. Edghes?”

The lawyer spoke first. “We plead not guilty by diminished capacity, Your Honor.”

The judge stared at John, his eyes going over him from head to toe. “Mr. Edghes, do you understand that today’s proceeding is to determine your mental state at the time of your arrest, and if you are now capable to stand trial?”

John nodded once.

“Very well. Be seated.” The judge turned to the prosecutor. “Are you ready to present?”

“I am, Your Honor.”

“Then let’s get to it. It looks like we have a busy day ahead of us.”

“Yes, sir. Let me start by saying that on October 3, of this year, Mr. Edges was found in a state of semi-consciousness from being physically assaulted. After being brought into...”

Listening to the list of charges was hard. He’d never been a violent person, and to hear how he’d hit the nurse, and then attacked the policeman, sent an unexpected wave of dejection through him. Who had he turned into?

When the prosecutor finished, his attorney, a public defender stood. “Your Honor, we do not contest the validity of the charges. And, as the court has ordered, Mr. Edghes was placed in the Brookville Psychiatric Facility for observation under the care of Doctor Elyse Lowenstein. Doctor Lowenstein’s credentials are—”

“—I am well aware of Doctor Lowenstein’s credentials. Have the clerk enter them after. Continue,” ordered Judge Gallagher.

He looked at the prosecutor and then the judge. “I call Doctor Lowenstein to the stand.”

The prosecutor nodded at the same time as the judge.

John watched her rise and go to the witness stand, where she took the oath and sat. He was surprised when, as the lawyer asked the first question, the judge interrupted, “Let’s not waste any more time, counselor.” He turned to Lowenstein. “Doctor, please give the court your findings.”

She nodded, looked at John for a moment, and then turned back to the judge.

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