Roxan ~ In My Life with the Beatles

12

Order in the Court 1963 (21)

A year to the day after my graduation I stood in the packed courtroom offering my closing argument.

"Charles Knoble should have been serving and protecting the community of Liverpool but the actions of this man has led to a woman being killed, children left without a parent, sisters mourning a sister and parents burying a daughter that should have outlasted themselves. I ask the jury to review the evidence, examine the charges and draw on your wisdom as citizens to grant a plea of guilty as charged to this abomination of a human being. I thank the court and rest my case"

I sat back in my chair and closed my eyes, I had completed my part of the task. I hope I have succeeded in showing the jury the horror that is Constable Charlie Knoble. Even though I couldn't get him on my own case.... I could get him for this:

The negligent homicide of Julia Lennon.

A few days after I took the fender and lace I happened upon a discarded newspaper in the cavern. A local woman had been killed by a car which was not recovered or found. Julia Lennon, mother of John, was the victim and I knew who the murderer was, my torturer Police Constable Charlie Knoble. I decided then and there University was where I would become a solicitor and as soon as I could, I would try this man in a court of law.

The jury adjourned for the rest of the day and the trial and sentencing was set for the next morning. I was jitterery as I wandered the hallowed halls and I felt the telegram in my pocket of my coat and recalled the little ditty** of John and Eric's, that they had sent me the first morning of the trial. Oh how they could brighten my day!

When you're chewing on life's gristle

Don't grumble - give a whistle

And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And.......

Always look on the bright side of life...

Always look on the light side of life...

*******

"Order. Order in the court" the gavel pounded on the block and the judge looked over his notes glancing up and looking at the jury over his horn rimmed specs. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"

"Aye, your honour on the charge of .....guilty, guilty " I zoned out with a slight smile on my face, that was all I needed to hear I knew guilty was the verdict long ago.

The guilty pleas and long sentences of detainment rained down on Knoble and he was led away. Off to the worst penitentiary in Britain and out of my and my family's life. I hope he rots in hell!

Unfortunately for me I was not just allowed to walk out of the courtroom scot-free. You see when someone tampers with evidence as I had and then they present said evidence up in a case, that person is then in a large bit of trouble themselves.

I found myself in a county court house cell for 12 months and was disbarred from practicing law. Manchester the next closest large city to Liverpool was chosen for my lodgings. Thankfully the judge decided that, with my being Charlies step-daughter, it best I stay away from Liverpool and its police force.

The court also decreed that my only grounds of reinstatement was to re-apply for my license 1 year after the sentencing date and in the meantime I would work volunteering, from the courthouse rooms, for the less fortunate that could not afford legal representation- fine with me!

Quite lenient really so I did not grumble and did my time.