CHAPTER- 1 (B)
Supreme Court Of Texas
Downtown Austin,
Texas
5th july 2013
11 : 00 a.m
Ms Jane Sullivan was a Gifted lawyer. No doubt, she had a bright future ahead ! She was the youngest in last 20 years to have become a District Attorney, She had this..this charm and convincing air about her, rationality seeped through every pore of her body. It wouldn't be an exaggaration to say that many begrudged her just for her calm rational thinking. But (As always ..there is a BUT) she was a human, that meant she wasn't perfect...she was a bit high...on her achievements, and her all rationale thinking was absent when it came to her people! and she was prone to blindly defend what she thought was right when it came to her people..whom she cared for..and this one particular imperfection might as well be fatal to her career ..which she was quite unaware of in the present situation... a warning signboard she didn't give heed to when driving on the road of life...
Mr.Peter Williams was clerk of court [An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in the court's administration, managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records] almost his entire life and in these 20-25 years, he had seen many cases of different types. Some gratifying..some forthcoming..some cunning..some outright simple..But nothing like this case (well almost) he had rarely seen an en banc session [In the bench" or "full bench." Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating, rather than the usual quorum of three judges] coupled with a fast track case were the defendant plead guilty in the plea bargaining session , had no trials whatsoever..it was directly to sentencing not to withstand District Attorney herself representing the prosecution counsel! he could not understand the importance of such a full house session..may be they deem important enough to be decided by the entire court ?? why and how does DA get involved in here, like personally?? he hardly saw a Asst.DA in any of the sessions let alone a DA..anyways he was in this profession long enough to learn that somethings are best to watch silently..
Jane finished her closing argument in front of the Grand jury ..and now the jurors were busy discussing the further decision..going against the usual norm chief Judge Mr.Kim din't adjourn the proceedings for a juror's break..but waited along with 8 other judges for the decision to be made after some deliberations the jury forwarded their decision..and then the entire Judge bench went into vote..and the decision was relayed to the Chief judge..Agent Marsh who was sitting in the government counsel was already planning to have a dinner part coming weekend!!...(its sad..he din't knew his happiness was short lived !!)
Mr.Kim had all the details in front of him..in his career he never saw such a case of death wish written all over it..it was like Mr.James had no self preservation..he denied to have any attorney representing him..and the public defender ,who the court appointed for him made a weak case out of him..so weak that it was downright silly...He plead guilty , with no signs of regret whatsoever on his face (again its subjective what people choose to see isn't it??) Anyways it was 8:1 in the voting and the judgement was ready so he had no other choice but do his duty.
Mr.Kim cleared his throat and read out his Judgement " This judgement is in response to the case Rajput Vs. Blackwell dated 25th June , 2013 is presented now. after the detail examination of evidences and examinations of witnesses..the court now advances to the final judgement based on the advice of the grand jury " he waved his hand towards the jury box to his left were few of them nodded their head in response. " does the prosecution has to say anything ?? " and looked at the prosecution counsel.."No your Honor " replied Jane , Mr.Kim looked towards the defense council , which was almost empty except the public defender Mr.Hunter and his protege customarily " Do you have to add anything?" to which Mr.Hunter replied " N..No My honor " stuttering pathetically.
Mr.Kim continued " citing Brown v. Brown, 322 U.S. 412 (1978) here it is deemed as a rarest of rare case keeping in view the admission of guilt by the defendant and the evidences pointing to the same..it is decided that the Defendant Mr.James Blackwell is found guilty-"
'yes!!' hissed Jane clenching her fist below her table ' finally!! ' muttered Dora sounding more relieved than it was necessary...'i told ya..where is my 500 bucks??' asked one of the juniors in the prosecution counsel to an adjacent lawyer,probably some kinda bet was going on..to which the other lawyer hissed in a low voice ' Dammit ..Ms.Jane!! i should have known better to have bet against her'...out of all this mutterings which broke out only One person said ' God! No!!' ..Priya Rajput was the only soul in the Court who mentally was anguished by the judgement...
"- on multiple Charges of First degree Man-Slaughter , Abduction , Illegal detainment. But as is with the U.S State Judicial system every defendant is given a chance to an appeal before the Supreme Court --" his verdict was interrupted by Mr.James his moss green eyes had no fire in it..his features all set..as if he willed the determination of what he was about to say..
" you honor my apologies ! I go against any secondary appeal-"
Mr.Hunter looked flustered , and tried to talk to him "are you sure Mr.Blackwell? i ..mean this is a life term-to death penalty we are talking.."
James din't heed his attorney's words and finished his sentence "-on the judgement "
Mr.Kim looked at James for a few seconds then continued his verdict "--taking into account the Defense's stand..it is decided that Mr.Blackwell is guilty on counts of illegal confinement and Killing of Sia Sullivan nee Rajput , Abduction of Amita Rajput . it is found that when Mrs. Sia was killed it was a gruesome act as she was 7 months pregnant and which was found violating the basic humanity...as such this court finds this case rarest of rare.. and awards Death Penalty to Mr James Blackwell set to be executed on 3rd September 2013-"
'YES! YES! yesss!!' Jane muttered happy beyond words..while Dora gulped loads of water and wiped the perspiration off of her forehead .. Tears Ran Down Priya's cheeks unable to withstand the pain..she clenched the railing of the gallery , hair askew..tear streaked face looking at James..who did not meet her eyes..but looked straight with no emotions whatsoever on his face...
Priya cried out aloud " NO!!! NO!!! you can't do this to yourself Danny!! NO..don't do it!!" she was a wreck..she pleaded to James with all her might..but James just closed his eyes..as if..as if his prayer was heard..as if his wish was granted..when he heard Judge pronouncing Death penalty..
Mr.kim said " Silence in the court please!" and continued his verdict " - and instructs the FBI to search for Ms.Amita Rajput and produce her in a fortnight..This Case Stands CLOSED " and he hit his little hammer and then he got up and left the room.. Priya sat stunned..while Dora and Jane hugged each other ..James was Yanked by a police officer roughly and was dragged outta the court to a van standing awaiting outside..
Mr.Williams gave a sigh and and put the stamp on the judgement papers..the stamping ringed with a tone of a finality ..breaking Priya's shock..and she slowly got up like she was in a trance...and walked out of the room slowly..not knowing what to do..where to go..
Edited by lakshmi_3004 - 12 years ago
running wont help any longer...😉
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