There were no cameras in the courtroom, but that didn’t mean that what the judge had just said and what Vance was about to confirm would not be national news.
‘Yes, Your Honor. The witness the state is referring to is William Bantling.’
The judge shook her head. ‘Your witness is not merely unavailable. Your witness is a convicted serial killer who is currently occupying the number two spot on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. He’s a fugitive. Wow.’
‘There are extenuating circumstances, Your Honor.’
The judge shook her head. ‘I know what you are trying to do. I understand it now, Mr Collier. Apparently Bill Bantling has made some sort of a statement implicating Mr Lunders in criminal activity, which is probably why he was shipped down here in the first place, and you want me to hold Mr Lunders in custody hoping your friends at the FBI find him before your time on this case runs out. I get it. You cut a deal with a serial killer. But Mr Bantling is not in custody. He’s on the lam and no one has a clue where he is. He could be gone for the next twenty years. The problem I have is the same one I had a half-hour ago: it’s not my job to keep your defendant behind bars when you don’t have the facts to support holding him. The possible involvement of Bill Bantling as a witness against Mr Lunders, while disturbing, does not change things. Therefore, I am in the same position I was in a half-hour ago.’
‘Your Honor, I would like to move once again for the dismissal of all charges against Talbot Lunders,’ piped up Varlack.
The judge sighed heavily. ‘Granted, without prejudice for the state to re-file. So if you can find more evidence or you can find William Bantling, have at it, Mr Collier.’
‘Objection!’ Vance began to yell.
‘Noted,’ replied the judge, cutting him off.
Talbot gave his attorney a huge grin. Then he turned to his mother, who was sitting in the row immediately behind him, and pumped his fist in the air.
‘I’ll prepare the order myself,’ Judge Becker finished, rising. She looked over at the defense table with a frown that was different from the annoyed one she’d held on to for the hearing. This time she seemed worried. ‘Case dismissed. Mr Lunders, you are free to go.’