His Name Was Ezra by Craig Moody

Author:Craig Moody [Moody, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-9986558-6-4
Publisher: Vivid Imagery Publishing via Indie Author Project

The prosecution called me to the witness stand the next day. The crowd fell completely silent as I made my way to the front of the courtroom. I could feel every single pair of eyes following my every step as I inched toward the witness seat. I made eye contact with Ed, his eyes swollen and red, large dark bags circling under each socket. I could feel my heart pulsing in my ears, the thundering drum of each beat deafening.

“First off, Ms. Bracewell,” Luke began, gently smiling and nodding at me as he neared the witness stand, “the state of Mississippi would like to thank you for your courage and bravery in agreeing to testify. What happened to you is an absolute tragedy, and I would suffice it to say that everyone present in this courtroom today not only harbors deep sadness and sympathy for you, but also commends and admires your commitment to seeking justice in this matter.”

I nodded, swallowing so loudly I just knew even the reporters in the rear second-floor balcony could hear it.

“I would like to kindly remind the gentlemen of the jury that the crime which was committed against Ms. Bracewell is not why we are here today. This is not a rape trial, but a murder trial. The gentlemen indicted on these murder charges sit before you today.” The heads of the jury turned in unison as Luke gestured toward Ed and the Benson brothers.

“The question we must answer here is whether or not these men committed the act of murder against a young Ezra Washington. It is not Ezra’s sins or alleged crimes that are on trial today but the cause of his death and who is responsible for it.”

I could see Fred and Ron Benson smirking in the corner of my eye. Ed lowered his head to his chest.

“Now, Ms. Bracewell, please recount for the jury, to the best of your memory, what it was that happened to you on the night of the unfortunate assault.”

After several warbled attempts at forming a set of cohesive words, I was finally able to slowly relive the memory of the hazy, rainy night to the echo of the capacity-filled courtroom. The room was so still and silent one could swear the collection of human heartbeats could be heard in a single, unified pulse. Finally, I concluded my account to the satisfaction of Luke’s coaxing questions, many of them focused on Ezra’s and my secret relationship. It was obvious he was only interested in establishing the possibility that it was indeed Ezra who had attacked me, which would have provided a clear and concise motive for Ed and the Benson boys to murder him.

I struggled to swallow a mouthful of room-temperature water as Jim Hemming made his approach to the witness stand.

“The defense would like to echo Mr. Pinder’s sentiments regardin’ ya most unfortunate sufferin’,” Jim began, gently placing a hand over mine. “Mr. Pinder is also correct in pointin’ out that what happened to ya, dear, sweet girl, is not the focus of this trial.

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