Directed Verdict (Failed Justice Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

rape.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 5
     
     
    Judge Kolkolski could not help glancing at his watch. Fortunately it was partially hidden under his robes. The robes of justice, if you would believe that type of hype. If the two summations were short and sweet, if he could limit his instructions to the jury to less than an hour, there was still plenty of daylight and he could get in at least nine holes of golf. If he pushed and drove to his Members Only course like a man with the ultimate authority, he could probably get in the entire eighteen, assuming he kept the ball in the fairway.
    It seemed whenever he played alone, his handicap lost a stroke or two. If the ball was within a few inches, sometimes a few feet, it was a gimme. Walt was known to use a foot wedge, namely his left shoe, to improve his lie when he was too close to a tree root or rough grass. As for sand traps, when playing by himself, he considered them a nuisance and merely picked up the ball and rolled it within putting distance. He never considered that cheating. After all, it was just a game.
    ***
     
    “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Thank you for your patience and accepting your civic duty to serve on this panel. I know it was a sacrifice for many of you and I join the court in letting you know how much it was appreciated. The system would not work without fine upstanding people like yourselves.”
    The jury listened to Mr. Sugarman—as if they had a choice. Their mind had been made up a long time ago. Summation was a waste of time. Time better spent on productive matters like watching a Giants football game or washing the car or preparing Sunday dinner for the family.
    “All of you listened to the testimony of these two fine individuals, neither of whom was thrilled to be here. What was to be a warm, sensuous, loving evening turned out to be anything but. Why? Because at times body language speaks louder than the spoken word. When Anthony offered to spend time with Vicky, she did not suggest going to the library or the student union or even a coffee shop. When Anthony said they could have more privacy in a dorm room, she did not object. She did not say it was inappropriate. She did not say no. Anthony looked at her body language and knew what she was thinking. Yes. Yes, I would like to spend some private time with you. I want to go to a dorm room that has a single chair, a single desk, and a bed with you. You don’t have to be a genius to know what she was thinking. I want to have sex with you. Her body language said yes.”
    The judge unconsciously was nodding. The ADA was about to stand and object till he realized it would have done more harm than good. Maybe some of the jurors did not see it. The ADA had known from the opening bell he had two more than worthy opponents: Mr. Sugarman and the Judge.
    There’s not a hell of a lot I can do about it. To ask the court to recuse itself would be a disaster.
    Sugarman continued. He was just getting started.
    “Yes, Victoria felt it was going a little too fast. Yes, she was nervous and did not want Anthony to think she was easy. She wanted to preserve some semblance of modesty. She wanted to be romanced a bit more. She wanted more foreplay. She didn’t want Anthony to believe she went to bed with every guy who looked her way.”
    Bob purposely took a sip of water. Not because he was thirsty, he could wait, but to see who was buying his argument. If there were one or two, he would concentrate on those individuals. Everyone wants an acquittal but a hung jury, and he only needed one juror, would be considered a moral victory. Victoria would never put herself through this again and the DA would certainly agree to a plea to a misdemeanor with little or no hard time. Say one year probation.
    Justice would be more than served.
    Sugarman emptied his glass and refilled it from the pitcher on counsel table. He continued to glance at the jury. They were not buying one single thing he said. It was as if