Chapter Thirty-six
“Good Tuesday morning, Detroit. I’m downtown standing in front of the Thirty-sixth District Courthouse. And with this past weekend being one of the deadliest forty-eight hours recorded in Michigan history, the court clerks have been working overtime crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s, trying to ensure no clerical mishaps in the over nine high-profile arraignments that have already taken place over a twenty-four-hour span. Now depending on who you ask, today might be the worst. It’s been a rollercoaster ride in gathering evidence, witness statements, and deciding what specific charges will be filed today against Justice Richards, who has been nicknamed by the media, residents, and authorities as the Kid Killer.
“The prosecutor’s office reportedly has been overrun with citizens willing to step up and help bring a much-needed end to the one-man murderous wide-scale rampage that claimed the lives of eight people, including those of two small boys. Sources say Mr. Richards, apprehended Sunday on the far east side, is apparently lodging a hunger strike, refusing to eat, and is also refraining from making any statements thus far. So we can only wait today and see what unfolds. We’ll also have reactions from the families of the victims on our broadcast at noon, as many of them are just arriving to the proceedings. This is Jayden James live reporting for Channel 7 Action News.”
* * *
As Judge Curtis sat back in the leather chair in her private chambers, the same social worker who’d been present in the courtroom the day Justice was taken away for good from his belligerent, defiant mother entered, taking a seat.
“It’s been a long time, Judge,” the now-retired woman spoke. “I never thought I would be back inside of another courthouse after I left the job.”
“Yeah, almost twenty years to be exact,” Judge Curtis reminisced, looking at her various degrees, certificates, and framed newspaper articles nailed to the wall. “It was the first week I started out over in family court.”
Showing a faint smile, considering the reason for their reunion, the elderly woman took a deep breath. “I never thought in a million years this sort of thing could happen, but it has. God help me for being selfish and not completely honest from the beginning.”
Judge Curtis removed her eyeglasses, setting them on the desk. The once-innocent baby that she and the woman in front of her had saved from his mother’s ungodly influences was now the talk of the town and the perpetrator of violent acts that were deemed unspeakable even in the most awful of households. “I’ve read this file over and over and wanted to try some way to avoid doing what we have to do, but I can’t. When I got your call, I was in total shock.”
“I know,” the retired social worker agreed. “I can’t help but wonder if somehow this was my fault and I could’ve stopped it. For the past forty-eight hours my conscience has been killing me. I’ve been trying to find a way to deal with it, but I can’t.” She openly wept. “After today, everything in my life will change for good. I only pray God will forgive me for holding back on the truth. It’s been far too long.”
“Listen, you can’t blame yourself. You did what you thought was best all these years. The only thing we can do now is make it right.” Judge Curtis reached for the phone, lifting the receiver to her ear. “Now I just got off the phone with the psychologist before you came in, and we need to consult with the prosecutor and the defense attorney and bring them up to speed with the urgent business we need to take care of after Mr. Richards’s arraignment.”
Entering the courtroom, inquisitive spectators along with distraught, infuriated family members were seated, packed like sardines shoulder to shoulder, waiting to get their first glimpse at the calculating creature who’d robbed them of their beloved father, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, son, and friend. Taking into consideration that emotions would be running at an all-time high, extra security precautions were taken. Not only were Wayne County sheriffs standing on post throughout the courtroom and building, but also heavily armed Detroit police officers stood guard on the streets.
With news cameras ready to capture every moment of the proceedings, not only were residents of the Motor City anticipating Justice’s defense of his heartless actions, but also the world that’d stood up taking notice of how the crime-ridden town would deal with a savage individual such as the notorious Mr. Richards.