Muted Judgement (Legal thriller, thriller) Read Online Free
Author: G. E. Mason
and drench anyone foolish enough to be outside. The threat seemed odd, but not really dangerous.
She couldn't move to dismiss without her boss' approval. That would never happen. A high profile case in an electi on year was guaranteed to take place.
The courthouse sported several small rooms for lawyers and their clients to meet. Claire and Brad occupied one such room down the hall from the courtroom where the trial was taking place. This room contained a metal table and four chairs.
Claire once again looked like she was playing dress up with her mother's clothes. No tears stained her face. Instead she sprawled on the chair, her arms crossed, as if she dared anyone to question her.
Lauren sat down across from the young girl. "Anybody need coffee or the bathroom before we start?"
Claire shrugged. Brad flashed his toothpaste ad smile. "I'm good, though I think this is highly unusual. No new evidence has been presented."
"And if we find something else out, we can decide how to deal with it," Lauren said. "I'm just as interested in a fair trial as you are."
Brad snorted, but indicated Lauren should continue.
"Claire, I just wanted to ask some questions of you before we get to court."
"Fine," Claire said.
Lauren thought back to her own teen years. Had she been this belligerent? Not the same situation, she knew, but still, Claire could show some respect.
At Claire's age, Lauren was headed for an Ivy League school, not the state penitentiary. Might have an effect an Claire's outlook. She should be getting ready for college. Instead she was prepping for a trial.
"I understand your story is that John Sheffield raped you and that you killed him in self-defense," Lauren said.
Claire glanced at Brad then nodded.
"Okay. Are you still willing to stick with that story?"
Lauren wanted to give this girl every chance she could to come clean. All the Brad had to do was put a reasonable doubt in the jurors' minds for Claire to be found not guilty. Lauren was sure enough about her case and her abilities that she could get the conviction.
She just wasn't sure that was the right answer in this case. For once she wasn't completely sure of the defendant's guilt.
"Of course we're sticking with that," Brad said. He stood. "This was a waste of time. You're going to badger my client on the witness stand so why do you need to badger her now."
Lauren couldn't give him an answer. She didn't want to voice her concerns. If she had to try this case, she would give it everything she had. Nor would she give the defense any ammunition to declare a mistrial.
Lauren frowned. "I just want to give Claire a chance if she wants to change her story. You don't want any surprises during the trial do you?"
"No, but I think I've vetted my client just fine," Brad said. "I have no idea where this is coming from and I find it highly unusual."
Lauren could not disagree so she let Brad and his client leave.
***
Waiting in the courtroom for Ethan to appear, Lauren tried to remain calm. Not sure what he would do or say, she hoped he would keep to the decorum of the trial. No grandstanding like he asked Brad not to do.
"All rise," the bailiff said.
Lauren stood. Ethan entered, robes swirling more like a magician instead of a judge.
"Be seated," Ethan said when he'd situation himself and his robes behind the bench.
Claire sat down in a not so hostile posture. Brad must have coached her to look less like an obnoxious teen and more like a lost little girl.
That's what Lauren would have done.
"Is the prosecution ready to call its first witness?" Ethan asked.
"I am your honor," Lauren said. "I call Officer Jeffrey Landon to the stand."
Dressed in his patrol blues, Landon strode to the stand. He swore on a Bible then took his seat. Lauren could not have asked for a more credible witness.
She started her questioning.
"Please state your name for the court," she said.
"Corporal Jeffrey Landon, ma'am," he said.
"Corporal Landon, were you the first on the
She couldn't move to dismiss without her boss' approval. That would never happen. A high profile case in an electi on year was guaranteed to take place.
The courthouse sported several small rooms for lawyers and their clients to meet. Claire and Brad occupied one such room down the hall from the courtroom where the trial was taking place. This room contained a metal table and four chairs.
Claire once again looked like she was playing dress up with her mother's clothes. No tears stained her face. Instead she sprawled on the chair, her arms crossed, as if she dared anyone to question her.
Lauren sat down across from the young girl. "Anybody need coffee or the bathroom before we start?"
Claire shrugged. Brad flashed his toothpaste ad smile. "I'm good, though I think this is highly unusual. No new evidence has been presented."
"And if we find something else out, we can decide how to deal with it," Lauren said. "I'm just as interested in a fair trial as you are."
Brad snorted, but indicated Lauren should continue.
"Claire, I just wanted to ask some questions of you before we get to court."
"Fine," Claire said.
Lauren thought back to her own teen years. Had she been this belligerent? Not the same situation, she knew, but still, Claire could show some respect.
At Claire's age, Lauren was headed for an Ivy League school, not the state penitentiary. Might have an effect an Claire's outlook. She should be getting ready for college. Instead she was prepping for a trial.
"I understand your story is that John Sheffield raped you and that you killed him in self-defense," Lauren said.
Claire glanced at Brad then nodded.
"Okay. Are you still willing to stick with that story?"
Lauren wanted to give this girl every chance she could to come clean. All the Brad had to do was put a reasonable doubt in the jurors' minds for Claire to be found not guilty. Lauren was sure enough about her case and her abilities that she could get the conviction.
She just wasn't sure that was the right answer in this case. For once she wasn't completely sure of the defendant's guilt.
"Of course we're sticking with that," Brad said. He stood. "This was a waste of time. You're going to badger my client on the witness stand so why do you need to badger her now."
Lauren couldn't give him an answer. She didn't want to voice her concerns. If she had to try this case, she would give it everything she had. Nor would she give the defense any ammunition to declare a mistrial.
Lauren frowned. "I just want to give Claire a chance if she wants to change her story. You don't want any surprises during the trial do you?"
"No, but I think I've vetted my client just fine," Brad said. "I have no idea where this is coming from and I find it highly unusual."
Lauren could not disagree so she let Brad and his client leave.
***
Waiting in the courtroom for Ethan to appear, Lauren tried to remain calm. Not sure what he would do or say, she hoped he would keep to the decorum of the trial. No grandstanding like he asked Brad not to do.
"All rise," the bailiff said.
Lauren stood. Ethan entered, robes swirling more like a magician instead of a judge.
"Be seated," Ethan said when he'd situation himself and his robes behind the bench.
Claire sat down in a not so hostile posture. Brad must have coached her to look less like an obnoxious teen and more like a lost little girl.
That's what Lauren would have done.
"Is the prosecution ready to call its first witness?" Ethan asked.
"I am your honor," Lauren said. "I call Officer Jeffrey Landon to the stand."
Dressed in his patrol blues, Landon strode to the stand. He swore on a Bible then took his seat. Lauren could not have asked for a more credible witness.
She started her questioning.
"Please state your name for the court," she said.
"Corporal Jeffrey Landon, ma'am," he said.
"Corporal Landon, were you the first on the
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