State of Mind (Brier Hospital Series) by Gold Lawrence

Author:Gold, Lawrence [Gold, Lawrence]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2015-01-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Charlie Connor, the DA of San Mateo County was a Boston transplant. He was a big, well-dressed man in his sixties. His reputation was tough, but fair, a mature man without future political aspirations. He was sitting in his office with Al Russo, his investigator and friend. The office had a huge mahogany desk. A flagpole with the state flag stood beside his desk, and the walls held photos of Charlie with several governors and dignitaries.

“Bruno’s here,” Al said.

“Alone?”

“No. He has Michael Rose and Karen Scott.”

“Dammit. There goes my slam-dunk,” Charlie said, with a sardonic smile. “I’m sorry that I introduced them to this case.” He paused. “I’m a bit disappointed that they signed on. I guess that I should be philosophical that with Bruno Cooper for the defense, it was only a matter of time that he would try to bring them in as forensic psychiatry expert witnesses.”

“As far as I know,” Al said, “they haven’t signed on with anyone. In fact, Karen is still dead set against testifying for José Martin.”

“So, what are they doing with Bruno?”

Al shrugged his shoulders. “It’s the case itself. It raises important issues for the law and for forensic psychiatry. My guess is that Michael is having a hard time resisting the fray. You and Michael have made precedent together and he sees, in this case, the chance to do it again.”

“Karen?” Charlie asked.

“She’s seen the video and can’t get over it. She’s seething with rage as will be jurors if the judge allows those images in court.”

“The judge will have no choice, Al. It would be tantamount to denying eye-witness testimony because it was particularly gruesome.”

Charlie stood. “Okay, Al. Bring them in.”

“Bruno’s on the phone. He’ll be here in a moment,” Al said.

When Michael and Karen entered the office, Charlie smiled broadly. “Can’t keep yourself out of trouble, can you, Michael?”

Michael shrugged his shoulders. “Trouble’s my middle name.”

Charlie walked over to Karen and embraced her. “Married life must agree with you. You look fantastic.”

“It’s mostly motherhood, Charlie. Becky’s five and she has brought a semblance of, pardon the expression, sanity into our lives.”

Charlie held Karen’s hand. “You couldn’t keep him away, could you?”

“You know Michael.”

When Bruno entered the room, the temperature dropped by ten degrees.

“Good to see you,” Charlie said.

After they all took their seats, Charlie stepped behind his desk. “Well, let’s get started. The charge against José Martin is first degree murder, a particularly gruesome one at that.” He paused. “You all know that I have never been a big advocate for the death penalty, but if a federal judge hadn’t declared the California death penalty unconstitutional, I’d be seeking it for Mr. Martin.”

Bruno forced a smile. “Charlie, you’d have no chance in hell to obtain a death penalty. I’m betting that you’ll have difficulty in getting a conviction on first degree murder.”

“You saw the video, Bruno?” Charlie asked.

“I did, but what you see as convincing evidence for first degree murder, I see as proof of psychopathology.”

Charlie turned to Michael.

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