The Burden of Power: A Legal Thriller (Blake County Legal Thrillers Book 4) by Joe Cargile

Author:Joe Cargile [Cargile, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
Published: 2024-05-28T00:00:00+00:00

29

Maggie turned when she heard the senator interrupt the judge. He was already on his feet, addressing the Honorable John J. Balk in a manner that she’d never seen before. Not in this courtroom. Not in any other. Another first.

“Take your seat, Defendant Collins.” Balk spoke in a tone that he often used when issuing orders from the bench. Calm, precise language. “This is out of order, and I’ll not have your interruptions, or any other person’s, interfere with the way that I intend to conduct proceedings in my courtroom.”

“John, you’re not the only one who has a right to be heard in this setting—” the senator’s voice wasn’t even close to calm.

Balk pointed with the gavel. “I’ve already instructed you to sit, Defendant Collins. I don’t want to hear another word from you until it’s appropriate for you to speak again.”

The gallery couldn’t contain itself at this point. Maggie turned around in her seat and saw that at least half of the spectators were on their feet. Noticeably fewer people remained along the benches, but the majority of those who’d decided to stay were clearly there to support the accused. It seemed it’d been well worth the wait for them because their senator stood defiant, ready to take on the trial judge at the front of the courtroom.

“I won’t be muzzled, John!” he yelled. “I’m an innocent man, and I won’t be treated as anything less.”

Free Bill! called a single voice from somewhere in the gallery. A few of the brazen followed the statement with their own words of encouragement.

“Take that man into custody,” the judge said, without pause. He pointed to a spectator in the back who was on his feet, possibly the one who’d called out first in support of Collins. “And that man as well,” Balk added, once another man stood to protest. “Arrest that woman right there on the front row,” Balk said, pointing almost directly behind Maggie. “All three of those men on the right.” Balk didn’t raise his voice more than was necessary. “Him. Her.” Deputies scrambled as the judge added more arrests. “And those two over there, that’s right.”

Maggie couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. The gallery wasn’t close to under control, and the courtroom deputies didn’t have enough restraints on them to make all of the arrests. They were openly arguing with people who didn’t have any respect whatsoever for their authority. These were law-abiding citizens—which every one of them repeatedly made clear each time a scuffle ensued with law enforcement—and they all seemed more than willing to spend a night in jail if it helped demonstrate their loyalty to the cause. Maggie couldn’t tear her eyes away from the scene, but then she heard the judge suddenly direct his words toward defense counsel.

“Ms. Park!” Balk called. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Surprised, Maggie turned from the ruckus in the gallery and looked to her opposing counsel. Park was still seated quietly at the defense table. Legal pad in front of her.

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