ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 42

Richard crossed his legs as he sat behind the bench in his black judge's robe and steepled his fingers beneath his chin as he watched Marcus Simms standing at the defense table where Claire Lowen was sitting coolly during the pre trial motion hearing for the hit and run case of Dodie Angeletti.

Phil Paterson sat confidently at the prosecutor's table looking through a case file with reading glasses perched on his aristocratic nose.

The courtroom seats were almost overflowing with not only media but also various onlookers , the Duncan family ( Keisha and Jeremiah ), and Ariel Kendall as well as his father and stepmother. And , the chief judge Bernard Arnett sitting in the back with cold eyes and a stern set to his face. And, to his distaste he also saw Reverend Lazarus Jones and that Zeke creature present. Thankfully they were not sitting near each other.

Marcus said smoothly," Good morning, your honor, Judge Norland. I hope you are having a pleasant day today, sir. "

Richard smiled slightly. " Get on it , Mr. Simms. This is not a cocktail party. "

Marcus allowed his smile to slip slightly from his handsome brown face. He folded his hands in front of him confidently. " Fine , your honor. We , the defense, would like to make a motion that you recuse yourself from this case. "

The people gathered in the courtroom began to whisper heavily.

Richard suppressed a great sigh. " On what grounds, sir ? "

Marcus glanced over at Claire whose own beautiful oval shaped face wore a small cocky smile as she stared at Richard. " On the grounds that you have memory loss. Your amnesia, your honor."

Richard narrowed his grey eyes. " My memory loss has no bearing on my ability to lead these procedures. My memory is actually returning on new levels every day. And it was only on a personal level I was affected. My knowledge of law and the constitution of this country I still maintained. I most likely remember more about the law than you yourself or your learned co counsel Ms. Lowen. "

Marcus replied," Your honor......"

" Denied. I am not going to recuse myself from this case. "

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Judge Arnett smiling softly. He also saw the door opening and Judge L.L. Handel tapping in with his cane and his guide dog to find his way to an empty seat. Somehow seeing his friend L.L. gave him a jolt of new confidence and energy.

Marcus looked disappointed but he rebounded with," Fine. Then , sir , we also request moving this case to Howard County. "

The crowd burst out into even  louder whispers. Phil Paterson looked irritated at the request. Richard banged his gavel and demanded order at once.

" On what grounds? "

Marcus smiled faintly. " On the grounds that our client, Mrs. Angeletti , can not receive a fair trial in PG County. "

Lazarus called out ," Just as I thought. The typical Just Them Criminal System doesn't want a White woman tried in a predominantly Black county. "

Richard banged his gravel , saying," Sir , please refrain from any more outbursts or I will hold you in contempt of court with jail time and a thousand dollar fine."

Judge Arnett actually looked impressed but still constipated. And L.L. smiled widely as he appeared to be looking directly at Richard.

Phil stood up. " Your honor, I must object to this request. There is no reason this case should leave the county. "

Richard nodded. " I agree, Mr. Paterson. Sorry , Mr. Simms. I see no reason that this matter should be moved outside PG."

Marcus replied," The media attention....."

Richard shook his head. " People in Howard have no doubt heard about it just like in PG. They have access to LifeChapters , Firebook and the rest of the nonsense out there. There's nobody who hasn't heard of this case by now. Request is denied. The case will stay in PG County but I will ban the media from the courtroom for the duration of the trial. Beginning with the jury selection tomorrow."

From his seat Scott Sands called out," What about our constitutional right of free press , Judge Norland? "

Richard's grey eyes glinted coolly at the man. " Bailiff, please escort Mr. Sands of the Washington Reign from my courtroom. He can refresh his knowledge of the US constitution in a cell for a couple of hours. And I hope you have your checkbook , Mr. Sands. One thousand dollar fine. I meant it when I said my courtroom was not the Rebel show. "