Suicide Hotline € Lashton

8.3

As Ashton's lawyer sat back down they called the first witness.

"Clarence Hood to the stand."

No one moved. Only three of the Hood boys were here. The lawyer stood back up.

"I would like to explain why Clarence and the next two witnesses, J.C. Hood and Dan Hood are not here. When J.C. was 22 he committed suicide. The following is his suicide letter to his brothers:-" The lawyer paused as the color drained from Ashton's face.

"I am sorry my brothers. I am weak and couldn't take it anymore. All of us know what he did to us, especially Ashton. If you ever read this Ashton, I am so sorry. I was forced by him. I can't get what I did to you out of my head. My skin burns to be clean from everything I have done and what happened to me. When you find this brothers I will be gone. Please find justice for us and Ashton and kill the man we called father."

The lawyer looked at the jury and continued. "Two weeks after the death of J.C. Hood Clarence Hood who was 25 overdosed, the only thing in his note was the word 'justice.' Lastly is a few days ago Dan Hood who was 28 killed himself after hearing about this trail. His note had a simple sentence, "I'm sorry, I cannot face him." These boys have truly suffered." The lawyer said sadly.

At that moment Ashton realized this wasn't just his trial, it was for the Hood boys too. It was for justice for all of them.