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New York Minute: Chapter 7

A few days later, after being rested up, I got a call from the DA's office.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mr. Alexander? We're calling to remind you that Mrs. Smith's hearing is scheduled to begin at 9am. You have been deposed as a witness, and are required to be there."

"Yeah, I know. I shot the lady, remember?" There was silence as the secretary struggled to deal with the fact that her smug attitude wasn't enough to make me sit up and beg. Let alone respect her.

"I'll be there. Now go regroup for the next call." I hung up and stood from my chair, knocking over one of the many beer bottles on the table, it crashed to the floor. And...suddenly. I was back there. in McSorley's. I was sitting in the back of the bar, watching a skinny, bespectacled, depressed human being walk into the bar. He ordered and drank more liquer than I'd seen a guy like this drink before.

It was painful to watch. Then, he slammed his glass down, and it shattered. Cutting open his hand. My mind began to whirl again, A dinner. A pecan pie. A dead little girl, smile still on her face. A mentally unstable mother. Me shooting her in the shoulder. And Harry, jumping infront of a train.

Stepping into the shower, I made sure it was good and cold to wash away those memories. Dressing, I threw on my trench coat, and stepped back out into the pouring rain and drove to the court house.

Once there, I Was usured inside, and seated directly behind the prosecution's bench. Jessica was already there, along with Winchester. She smiled at me as I sat down, and I grinned back. The balif called for us to rise as the Judge walked in. And I was pleased with who I saw.

A large, powerfuly built black man by the name of Jacob Matthews. He was at once the toughest and fairest Judge I had ever met, and one of the nicest people in the whole world, in my opinion. I'd known him before he had moved here to New York.

Infact, he had been asked to sit on the Supreme Court. He had refused, due to wanting to stay in New York and help the people here. He had turned down a position to be on the highest court in the country to remain here and handle justice and the state level.

"Opening arguments, please." He called, in his deep bass voice.

Jessica gestured to the defense lawyer, who stood. "Your honor, we have, behind closed doors over the last few days, discussed recent evidence that has come to light." He said nervously. He was a totally different person. I suspected he knew he was in over his head now.

Matthews blinked, and furrowed his brow. Leaning forward he asked. "And what does this new evidence have to do with the case, because, certainly, I havn't seen it."

"Well, your Honor." Defense Council began. "It seems that, according to the prosecution, my client was framed, and they've offered a deal that we are inclined to take."

"Stipulating?"

"Stipulating that in return for full co-operation with them, and my client seeking treatment, they will conesnt to house arrest for 5 to 10 years, based on good behavior. She must contact a parole offier three times a day. She will have an officer assigned to her on a daily basis who will fill out a daily report and escort her on any errands or excursions she may wish to go on, at her expense."

Jacob looked shocked. "Ms. Gabrielle? Is this true?"

She nodded. "It is your honor, we would like to have the officer in charge of the investigation give a report to the court that would shed some light on the situation." She gestured to me.

Jacob smiled. "Officer Alexander. Please, approach."

I walked to the bench, and he covered the mic. "There had better be a good reason for this, Jason. The press, and through them the population, are screaming for this womans blood."

I nodded, sympathetic. "I know, and three days ago I was one of them. Someone framed her, Jacob. She was on a powerful form of anti-depressant. But, her therapist, and her sister somehow managed to get her doctor to remove the drugs and replace them with placebos.

"Without this, she was not in control of her actions. She's on the medication now, Jacob. And, as soon as the first dose too affect....she was horrified. Just distraught. She can barely remember what's happened, we had to give her a play by play, and it was her that suggested this. We were going to suggest she be let off entirely. I think that deserves some credit."

Jacob nodded. "I see....and all of this is backed up by...?"

"Three court psychiatrists, the notes left by her therapist before I shot and arrested her, and another therapist that we hired. On my dollar, I might add."

"Five therapists came to the same conclusion?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"And this is all in a report?"

I looked at Jessica and gestured. She pulled a file from her briefcase and I gave it to the Judge, who read it over. His eyes widening as he read the individual assessments from each doctor. "I know all three of these doctors and the one you hired outside. But, the one you arrested, it can't be correct. Alexandria?"

I nodded. "It's her. It's her, Jake."

"My God....You know that, after this, I can't have any more involvement in the case. I'm surprised you can."

I shook my head. "I know you can't. And the reason I can is because I was already so deep into the case when she became a suspect that it was decided that it just didn't matter. If someone notices that I'm becoming to...zealous, then I'll be pulled. But, I doubt that'll happen."

Jacob nodded again. "Alright. I'll give you this judgement. Meet me in chambers after this is over, we need to talk. Bring the DA's."

I nodded, and he gavled. "I agree with the assessments contained in this folder. They will be released to the press in their entirety under the Freedom of Information Act. A full report of my judgement will be made by my office in 24 hours. Bailf, please arrain the defendant, and start prepping for house arrest. However, I will limit the term to 5 years of house arrest. After the 5 years, she will be on parole for no less than 20." He gavled again, and left the room.

I walked over to Jessica and Winchest. She gave me a quick kiss, and Winchester winked at me. "Judge Matthews wants us in his chambers. Now."

I motioned to the denfense lawyer. He came over and I dropped my voice. "I'll be forwarding any and all evidence to your office. Understand this is classified. I want your help, Council. The more people that understand the evidence and can make a judgement on it, the less likely we are to miss something. When you get back to your office there will be a sealed file on your desk. It has everything in it to date.

"If I read that you can make an excellent defense of Alex in the paper or anything leading me to believe that you are suddenly becoming more influential, I will come for you. It's a crime to disclose evidence, Council. Make sure you remember that." He gulped and I walked away, back through the door in the far side of the court room, and out into the hall to wards Judge Jacob's chambers.