This is bad...very bad. I have spent my life around law enforcement, but today, as Tony and I were being led into the courtroom, I doubted everything I knew.
How could anyone misconstrue the truth and twist the meaning of the law so completely? We do not even know these people, why would they misconstrue everything that has happened?
Our lawyers showed us the thick two hundred and fifty page discovery document that was filed with the court. In its legal jargon, it details the state's charges against us.
We left the lawyers at the conference room, and were cuffed for the long walk through the court house to the courtroom where we would be arraigned. One guard guided each of us through the hall, and onto the elevator. We rose three floors, and stepped off the elevator to be led down another hallway.
The guard used her badge to open a set of locked doors. Inside we were led to another room, this one was full of cuffed defendants. We were told to sit in two chairs near the door. The clock on the wall read nine twenty. The television set high on the wall was playing the news. I was really tired of the news.
We watched as the room slowly emptied. Finally after an hour, the guards came for us. It seemed surreal, as though we were watching someone else walk into the court room, and face the judge.
The Court Clerk read the charges against us. "Murder in the first degree."
The judge didn't look up from his writing as he asked "How do the defendants plea?"
Rain glanced at us with a nod. "NOT GUILTY." Tony and I said in unison.
The judge continued his writing, "The people on bail."
Bail? This was going to be the tricky part. The judge has the power to keep us in jail for however long it takes to get through this trial. That could be months, that could be years. Rain told us that there have been cases where the defendants are in jail for two or three years before their case finally goes to trial.
"The people request remand." The prosecutor said. She was a young willowy woman, with straw colored hair, and black beady eyes. "The defendants have no ties to this community, and are a flight risk."
The judge nodded, and glanced up briefly at Rain. "Mr. Wolff. Good to see you again. Congratulations on the birth of your daughters."
"Thank you, your honor." Rain grinned as any father would when reminded of his twin daughters.
"What's your opinion on bail, Mr. Wolff?" The judge asked.
"Both of my clients have very strong ties to the law enforcement community." Rain explained, "They are both from Tucson, and have no intention of fleeing from anything. Mr. Brillin is a Navy SEAL Veteran, and not only is Miss Patterson a nurse at the Tucson hospital, but she is also pregnant. We request ROR, your honor."
"One hundred thousand each, cash or bond." The gavel rapped three times, and suddenly the guards were taking our arms to lead us out of the court room.
It had happened so quickly, I hardly knew what was going on. "Bail?" I murmured. "A hundred thousand dollars?"
"That's right, babe." Tony followed behind me.
"Where am I going to get a hundred thousand dollars?" I groaned.
"Cash or bond, babe." Tony answered. "I'll just put up the house for both of us. It's going to be okay. We'll be out of here in no time."
"Tony, it's a hundred thousand dollars."
"Two hundred thousand, actually. He said each." Tony shrugged, "The house is worth nearly three hundred, so it'll be fine."
YOU ARE READING
The Choice
RomanceThere comes a time in everyone's life when they are faced with a difficult choice. For most people, following your instincts is easy. You know what to do, and you know what not to do. But what if you were faced with a choice that is just not t...
