ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 55

Thursday September 18 , 2025

Richard stood in the hallway outside his courtroom that morning finishing his cup of coffee before he went inside.

His court clerk Betsy Burns looked at him and laughed. " You look like you wish you were anywhere but here. "

He cut his eyes at the short round bodied Black woman and smiled slightly. " I don't know where you get that idea. "

Betsy smirked at him as she held a big stack of case folders. " Get used to it. Today is going to be another long unpleasant day that is destined to make you and me both want to quit and go open a marijuana farm. You know my husband wants to open a marijuana farm now? In California? " Her husband of many years was also a court clerk but  for L.L. Handel. " I told him I'm not moving to earthquake country. I don't do good with the ground moving under my feet. "She reached out and took his cup in mid sip.

" Excuse me? I was trying to drink that. "

" No food or drink in the courtroom, Judge ," she retorted sharply just as they both heard the bailiff calling out " Please stand for the honorable Judge Richard Norland ".

Betsy laughed as Richard wiped off his mouth with the back of his hand and smoothed down his robe before dashing into the courtroom which was packed as usual with the usual suspects minus the media.  She watched as he settled himself at the bench and called the court to order for the jury selection in the hit and run trial of Dodie Angeletti.

The twelve bored faced grumpy looking people of various races and genders to be questioned and approved or denied by both counsels then entered the room and took their seats. Once everyone was seated Richard took a deep breath and stepped down from the bench to approach the potential jury. He looked each one in the eye and focused solely on one in particular : Joe Jacobs who sat arrogantly with his arms crossed with mirrored sunshades shielding his eyes. He knew the man. His memory of him was still slightly vague but the little he did remember and what Nigel had told him made him dislike him enormously.

Richard said briskly," Jury member number four. Please remove your sunglasses, sir. This is not a beach. Sunglasses are not appropriate attire for my courtroom. "

Joe wanted to laugh as he looked at the man in the dark robe over an expensive suit. He had heard from Winston that Spencer's other brother had become a judge but now he saw it all before his eyes. He suddenly felt sorry for the man's defendants. He slowly removed the glasses and put them into his light green linen sport jacket pocket. " So sorry, your ..... honor ," he said with a small smirk. Then he remembered that he had promised his husband he would be good. His eyes drifted over to where Winston actually sat watching the proceedings today. Winston was watching Joe. He wanted to laugh again. If he screwed up the man who couldn't talk would really give him the silent treatment. He didn't want to be here especially not on a hit and run case. Not with his own secret. But Winston wanted this woman convicted because he believed she was guilty as all sin. He couldn't let Winston Arnett Jacobs down.

Richard stood before them all and smiled kindly. " I would like to thank you for coming down here today. Participating in a jury is an important part of the criminal justice system. You all  , if chosen , will be as essential today and in the days to follow as myself, the assistant state attorney and the defense attorneys. Perhaps more. I ask that you consider this to be the most valuable event in your lives. The rules of my courtroom are simple ones. No electronic devices. No cell phones. No tablets. Nothing like that. My cell is turned off and in my desk drawer in my office. Your own should also be turned off and in your pocket or in your cars. If I detect a cell phone in use while you are on the jury I will have you replaced with an alternative juror and also put in contempt of court with a fine. No food. No drinks. No gum. If I can't do it you can't either. During this trial I ask you to refrain from discussing this case in any way with the media or on social media. Or even with your families and friends. If I need to sequester you I will. Believe me. I will. This case involves a now dead  doctor who was a husband and father. It involves two young boys whose lives are now changed. It involves a woman whose own life may change with your verdict. I demand you take this case as seriously as..... amnesia. As a stroke. "

He paused and his eyes swept over the faces of the jury members he saw before him in their seats. Then he spoke again as he detailed what would now occur in the jury selection process.