The Jailhouse Lawyer by James Patterson

Author:James Patterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2022-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

ADDISON FOUND US out in the hallway, where Harold and I stood together in an empty circle of space. No one ventured near us after the conclusion of the evidence.

After Harold’s testimony, the Pickens legal team called a string of his friends and neighbors to testify that he was a wonderful judge, a credit to the community, a peaceable man. They kept the courtroom staff off the stand. Following a frenzied consultation conducted in whispers at the counsel table, they rested—without calling Pickens to testify on his own behalf. It would be fascinating to learn the reason why. Did the prospect of submitting to cross-examination hurt his pride? Or were his attorneys afraid he would blow a fuse during testimony and injure his chances? I would never know.

When Addison joined us in the hallway, she spoke in a whisper, even though no one dared to come close enough to overhear. “They are about to announce the decision.”

Harold nodded soberly. But I froze, too frightened to offer any reaction.

Addison inclined her head toward the courtroom. “Do you want to sit up front?”

Harold gave a thoughtful frown, looking down. “I believe I’ll stand in the back. By the door.”

“Me too,” I said.

When Harold and I took our places along the back wall of the courtroom, I gazed into the upper gallery of the court. The balcony was no longer empty. A number of journalists had joined the bearded reporter from the local paper. I wondered how word had gotten out.

I was glad I’d followed Harold’s suggestion. Stationed at the door, I could escape from the building unimpeded no matter what the verdict. After the close of evidence, I felt that the tide had turned in our favor. But it was impossible to know.

The room hushed as the nine judges of the Court of the Judiciary entered the courtroom and took their seats. My eyes darted frantically down the bench as I studied their faces, attempting to get a read on the decision.

The chief judge waited for the other eight judges to settle into place before proceeding. As I waited for the judgment, my heart palpitated. When my vision started to gray out, I gave my head a vigorous shake, sternly counseling myself: No passing out now, Martha. It’s the moment of truth.

Nonetheless, the moment felt dreamlike as the judge held up a sheet of paper and began to speak.

“All members of this court, after serious consideration of the evidence and testimony presented at this trial, find by clear and convincing evidence that Wyatt Pickens, while in his role as circuit judge of Douglas County, Alabama, did willfully and publicly violate Canons 1, 2, and 3 of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics.” He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Finding no other viable alternatives, this court hereby orders that Judge Wyatt Pickens be removed from his position as circuit judge of Douglas County, Alabama. This court is now adjourned.”

I was afraid to trust my ears until Addison turned around and caught my eye, looking exuberant.

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