ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 69

" Please state your name for the official record , ma'am," Paul Paterson said precisely to the older Black woman that sat across from him in the witness chair.

The woman touched her wrinkled hand delicately to the gold cross that hung around her neck. " Certainly, young man. My name is Mrs. Beulah Baines. "

He smiled kindly at her. " Good morning, Mrs. Baines. Could you please tell me exactly what you yourself saw on the day in question of the accident ? "

" Yes. I definitely can tell you that. I was walking home from the little grocery store where I do my regular shopping. It's a little more expensive than the bigger shops around but it's a family owned business and I like supporting family businesses. Anyway I was walking back home with my bags. I had three and they were heavy. I saw an automobile , one of those sports cars,  come racing down the street. Fast as it could be. Out of nowhere it almost seemed. "

" Did you see exactly what this sports car did as it raced down the street? "

" I did. I saw the driver run a red light. And I saw that first young boy, the Black one , get hit. He went flying in the air. Poor baby boy. "

" Poor baby boy indeed. "

Claire stood up and said sharply," Objection , your honor. Prosecution is leading the witness with an unnecessary biased statement. "

Richard glanced over at Claire. " Sustained. Mr. Paterson, less opinionated comments and more questions please. "

Paul thinned his lips. " Yes. Mrs. Baines , after you saw this speeding sports car running a red light and hitting the boy identified as Jamal Duncan did you also see the driver of the car ? "

The older woman nodded and touched the thick lensed glasses on her face. " I did indeed. I saw her exactly. It was the defendant. Dodie Angeletti. "

" And what did you see Dodie Angeletti do after hitting the boy in question who was  Jamal Duncan? "

The woman shook her thickly curled grey hair in disgust. " I saw that woman race away from the scene. She didn't even get out of her car to check on the child. "

Paul smiled slightly. " No further questions, your honor. "

As the prosecutor returned to his seat Claire Lowen stood up and approached the woman, saying briskly," Mrs. Baines. You claim you saw my client racing in the street and hitting the young man in question after allegedly running a red light. Is this true? "

" That's what I just said, young lady. I know what I saw. I saw that White woman in her rich car hit that poor Black child. "

" That White woman in her rich car. "

Paul called out," Objection, your honor. The defense is being argumentative. "

Richard nodded. " Sustained. Ms. Lowen , please stick to a proper line of questioning. "

Claire said coolly ," Yes , your honor. Mrs. Baines , you claim you saw this. I notice your eyeglasses are rather thick. Very thick. Were you wearing your glasses that day ? That exact moment you saw the accident in question? "

Mrs. Baines blinked her eyes behind the glasses. " Well..... no. I had left them behind at my house. But I know what I saw. I saw...."

" Thank you. And are you near sighted ? Far sighted ? "

" I'm near sighted. I have glaucoma as well but I......"

Claire's smile grew slightly. " No further questions for the witness. "