“Good morning, ladies and gentleman of the jury. I am defense attorney Greenburg, and I represent Andre Bezel in this matter. And this is a simple matter, ladies and gentleman. We selected you, as we found that you all would be able to resolve this simple matter. It’s the matter of this five-count indictment that alleges that Mr. Bezel violated drug laws, committed murder—three of them, conspired to commit bank fraud, conspired to commit identity theft, and was in possession of a weapon while being a convicted felon. I assure you that Andre is not responsible for any of these acts. Well, how can that be?
“The Assistant United States Attorney has explicitly outlined the government’s case. There was a list of witness...” Greenburg stopped talking and grabbed a dictionary from the defense table. “Witness,” he said with an air of sarcasm. Then reading from the dictionary, he said, “Person who has witnessed something.” Well, in this matter, there are no eye witnesses to any of these crimes. There are no witnesses who directly saw or heard Andre Bezel commit any of the crimes outlined in the indictment. There’s no video surveillance. No testimonial notes from private eyes or federal and local agents.
Let me tell you a secret about the government. All they have is a circumstantial case. Later the judge will instruct you on what that means and you will agree with the defense that the government has not met our court system highest standard of beyond reasonable doubt.
But, the defense has a bit of evidence.” He paused and stared into the air for dramatic effect. He walked over to the jury box and then to the witness stand and rested his hand on it. “Yes, the defense has video surveillance of a prosecution witness tampering with the body of Avery Snobli. Perhaps, while on the stand Agent McKenzey can explain why he robbed the dead man.”
“Objection!”
“Sustained.”
“Sorry,” Greenburg said and put on a weak frown. “I’ll rephrase.”
“And you’ll pay a fine for that charade,” the judge said looking down at a paper and scribbling on it.
“Nothing further ladies and gentleman, except that we look forward to a not guilty verdict,” Greenburg said and proceeded to his seat.
“Counsel, approach please,” the judge said as someone opened the courtroom door and walked hastily toward the prosecutor’s table.
When Greenburg and Barnswell approached the bench, the judge smiled and took off his glasses. “Listen, and listen very carefully. There will be no mistrial in my courtroom. Understood? Both of you paced inside that well and spat statements worthy of mistrial had the issue been raised. Going forward, you will be fined without a second thought if you pull any more stunts. This is not TV. A man’s freedom and liberty are on the line, and I suggest we act like it. Greensburg, you’re up to $500. I am sure you have a better way to stimulate the economy and save Barack’s job.”
The judge spun around and the attorneys walked back to their seats.
The judge said, “It’s noon. Barnswell, about how long will you be with your first witness?”
“About an hour, Your Honor,” Barnswell said and was then tapped on his shoulder. The man that had raced into the courtroom tapped him on his shoulder. Barnswell spun around and the man leaned and whispered into Barnswell’s ear.
Barnswell turned crimson red and then stood. To the judge, he said, “Your Honor, we have a problem. It seems our first witness was found murdered in her Florida home.”
As he said that, the courtroom wall and floor began to shake and quiver. The wall clock that hung behind the judge shook and then crashed to the floor. Glass shattered and stabbed the back of the judge’s executive chair. It was if the whole courthouse was shifting and everyone in the room panicked. The two marshals raced over to Andre and slapped hand cuffs on him. They stood him up and tossed him against a wall and then stood in front of him. The room was busy as people in the gallery made their way to the exit.
Jean-Mary said, “What are you doing to my grandson. Get him to safety.”
“Ma’am this is a personal matter,” a marshal said.
“Don’t fucking disrespect my grandmother. You got the Bezel’s fucked up,” Kareem said and stood. He walked over to his grandmother.
“Order,” the judge said and banged his gavel. “No, court adjourned for ten minutes. Deputy, please usher the jurors to their room.” To the marshals he said, “Get me the word on this movement immediately and take Mr. Bezel to the holding cells.”
“You’re not going to lock him up if the building is under terrorist attack. What, are you crazy?” Jean-Mary said to the judge.
“Counsel, please remove the defendant and his grandmother from the courtroom immediately,” the judge said and disappeared into his chambers.