Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 44

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

"Please rise. The Court of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session, the Honorable Judge Sherman now presiding." Mr. Williams, the bailiff, said.

Judge Sherman, a black woman in her late forties, entered the court. She took her seat casting an eye at the young men seated before her as the jury was sworn in.

"Members of the jury, your duty today will be to determine whether the defendants are guilty or not guilty based only on facts and evidence provided in this case. The prosecution has the burden of proving the guilt of the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. This burden remains on the prosecution through the trial. The prosecution must prove that a crime was committed and that the defendants are the people who committed the crime. However, if you are not satisfied of the defendants' guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists and the defendant must be found not guilty. Mr. Williams, what is today's case?"

"Your Honor, today's case is the people of the State of Maine versus Hockstetter, Bowers, Criss, Huggins and Rogan."

It all felt like deja vu. Only instead of staring at the back of Robert Gray's head, now Bill was confronted with looking at Patrick Hockstetter, Henry Bowers, Victor Criss, Belch Huggins, and Tommy Rogan. They had been charged with abduction, intimidation, and aggravated assault and battery. Max Holmes had assured them that unlike the Robert Gray trial this one was an open and shut case.

The Judge asked if both the prosecution and defense were ready, and after a series of opening statements, Richie Tozier was called to the stand. He described that day as he remembered it, how he and Stan were walking to the library when Victor Criss and Reginald "Belch" Huggins had grabbed them. He knew it was them because no one else in town had a Plymouth Fury that purred like that.

They had been taken to the gravel pit by Neibolt Street, where they had been met first by Patrick and Henry and shortly after were joined by Peter Gordon, Marcia Fadden, Greta Keene, Tom Rogan, Bradley Donovan, and Bill Denbrough.

"They broke my glasses in the struggle," Richie said humorlessly. Despite his anger, he was doing a good job keeping a tight hold on his emotions. Bill was impressed.

"Bowers wanted me to fight Bill, he had seen an argument we had had in the halls and he thought that it might be fun to give us the proper arena."

"Objection, speculation –" The public defender rose.

There was a dangerous glint in Richie's eyes.

"Mr. Tozier, did Mr. Bowers say that it would be fun to watch you and Mr. Denbrough fight?" Mr. Holmes asked.

"He did."

"Can my witness continue with his testimony?"

Judge Sherman nodded. "Proceed, Mr. Tozier."

"Bowers threatened to cut Stan if we didn't fight. I was willing, I was piss- angry. I would do anything to protect Stan. Bill wasn't willing, so Bowers escalated his threats."

"How did he do that?"

"He threatened to rape Stan with Patrick's help," Richie's voice shook, finally betraying the depth of his emotion.

In the gallery, Bill's hand tightened around Stan's own.

"What happened next?"

"We fought, but then Bill held back. I don't know why. That upset the others, the threats of sexual assault ramped up. Rogan called his cousin a whore, threatening to have her fuck Stan to make him straight. Bill made a deal though. He fought Rogan. It was a brutal fight, and shortly after that the ambulance came."