
THE CASE OF REASONABLE DOUBT (Cont’d)
“Oh, I’ve been watching Molly and Marty. They seem so happy. I’m sure they’ll marry soon.”
“Okay, I see,” Jonah replied. “Have you talked to Doc? Do you want to get married?”
“Well. The three of us can’t marry in Georgia. It’s illegal. We’d have to move to a state where it’s allowed.”
“But we can have kids,” Jonah replied. “Who do you want to be the father?”
“Let’s talk later,” Jen said. “I haven’t thought it through.”
The next morning…
Jonah called from work. “Check out the news channel on TV—Channel 8.”
Molly changed channels on the TV and watched as the news commentator was reporting on a small demonstration outside the jail house. There was a group of people with Kiera in the center. They all were wearing T-shirt reading, “Free Ken Rice.” The commentator walked over to Kiera and said, “I’m talking to the leader of the demonstrators, Kiera Shader.” She held the microphone up to Kiera’s face. “Why are you demonstrating?” she asked.
“My brother-in-law was arrested and charged unfairly for the murder of my sister, Sandra Rice. He’s innocent.”
“He’s charged with killing your sister. How do you know he’s innocent?” the commentator asked.
“I know Ken almost as well as I know my sister,” Kiera answered. “They had a happy marriage. He did not kill her.”
The commentator took the microphone away and turned toward the camera. “There you have it, folks. The demonstrators are demanding accused killer Ken Rice be set free. Back to you, Don.” Molly muted the TV so Jen could talk.
“Did your client tell you she was going to be demonstrating?” Jen asked.
“No,” Molly answered. “This is all a surprise to me.”
The next day…
Molly glanced at the TV which was usually on while they worked. “Hey, check this,” Molly said as she pointed to the TV. There was Kiera Shader with her group of demonstrators on one side of the street. On the other side of the street was a new group of counterdemonstrators. Each person in the counter group a wore a T-shirt reading, “Justice for Sandra Rice.”
Who are these guys?” Molly asked aloud.
“Today, the demonstrators in support of Ken Rice have another group opposing them,” said the commentator. “This second group showed up this morning and are demanding justice for Sandra Rice. Ms. Rice, you may recall, was killed a couple of weeks ago and her husband, Ken Rice, was charged with her murder.”
Standing next to the commentator was a middle-aged couple wearing the Justice for Sandra Rice T-shirts. The commentator held her microphone up to the man’s mouth. “Please tell us who you are and why you’re here,” she asked.
“Our names are Mrs. and Missus Shader,” the man said. “We’re the parents of Sandra Rice and we’re here to demand justice for her. Ken Rice killed our daughter in cold blood. He should spend the rest of his life in prison.”
As he began to speak, Kiera started walking across the road. Just as Mr. Shader finished talking, Kiera attacked him with her fists. Several demonstrators from both sides pulled them apart. “There you have it, Don,” the report said. “This may turn out to be a contentious trial.”
Molly muted the TV. “Which reminds me,” she said. “Ken has his first court appearance tomorrow. Care to come with me. I’ve never been in court before. When the judge comes it, do we bow or genuflect?”
Jen laughed. “Do you know what’s going to happen?” Molly shook her head. “For this first appearance, they’ll bring Ken in with his lawyer. It’s rather routine. It’s usually a lower court. The judge will inform Ken of the charges and explain his rights. Normally, bail is set, but in this case, I doubt there will be any bail or one he can afford.”
The next morning…
Jen and Molly arrived at the courthouse early so they could get a front row seat near the defense table. Kiera arrived shortly later and sat down right in front of Molly behind the defense table. At the appointed time, two police guards arrived escorting Ken in shackles and wearing an orange jumpsuit. Ken nodded at Kiera and sat down at the table. His lawyer sat next to him. A few minutes later, the court clerk and bailiff entered and remained standing. Then the judge walked in from his chambers, and the bailiff announced, “All Rise. Court is now in session. Judge Paquet presiding.”
As everyone stood up, Kiera pulled a knife from her pocket and yelled, “You cheatin bastard.” She then reached over the railing and stabbed Ken in the back. Ken yelled as the bailiff, and the guards rushed over. Kiera raised her knife to stab Ken again, but before she could, Molly grabbed her by the collar of her coat and pulled her back into her seat. Ken’s lawyer grabbed Kiera’s knife hand as the police guards subdued her. It was over in seconds. One of the guards lowered Ken face down onto the floor as the bailiff called 911. Kiera was taken away in handcuffs. Ken was taken to the ER along with his guards.
To be continued…
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