Counterpart - Robert F. Clifton (uplifting novels .TXT) 📗

the same.”

“That may be but two witnesses identified you not some other black man who looks like you,” Bader retorted.

“Just the same it ain't me in that photo and I never saw the dude that is.”

“Then there's no sense in asking you if you ever heard of an Anita or Althea Lofton? ” asked Bader.

“Man, how many times I got to tell you. I don't know anyone called Lofton,” Pearl answered somewhat irritated.

“Fine. We go to trial in two weeks. I'm busting my ass to defend you while you're sitting on yours holding back information that I probably need. Be that as it may, this would be a good time for you to address the court and request a new lawyer,” Adam said as he placed the photograph back inside his briefcase.

“You quitting on me? ” Pearl asked.

“No, just advising you of your options.

“We come this far. Might as well go the rest of the way.”

“I'll do the best that I can. Do you need anything before I go?”

“Nope.”

“Are you still winning at Tonk?”

“Nope, dudes won't play with me anymore.”

When he got back to the office Nancy met him and asked, “Well, anything new?”

“No. Since he's being uncooperative I advised him to get another attorney. Unfortunately for me, he refused.”

“What now?,” she asked.

“ Looks like it's full speed ahead. At this point, the court won't let me withdraw because I merely think that Pearl is withholding information. So, we, you and I will prepare a defense for Mister Pearl. We might lose in court but we'll go down fighting,” said Adam.

“I see it in a different way. We have an expert that will not only testify but will undoubtedly undo any testimony that Belcamp's expert offers,” Nancy stated.

“That's all we have at the moment. What I need you to do now is contact Frank Melber and have him investigate Thaddeus

Lofton,”Adam instructed.

“Why? What do you think he'll find? ” Nancy asked.

“ I don't know. Probably nothing but at least we've covered all bases,” Adam replied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Six

Trial Day One

 

At exactly ten AM on the morning of October 3, Adam and Nancy sat in the courtroom carefully selecting members of the jury. Bader and Belcamp had the right to six peremptory challenges. Belcamp had already used two.

“Do you see what he's doing. We've selected two Afro-Americans and he's challenged both of them. He's trying to get an all, white jury,” said Bader.

“ Yes but there are seven more blacks in the jury pool.

He'll run out of challenges before we run out of prospective jurors,” said Nancy.

“You have studied each juror tell me which one will be beneficial to us,” said Adam.

“There are two, Doctor Benjamin Lamb and Teresa Harris. Miss Harris is a school teacher,” Nancy indicated.

“Why them?”

“They will listen intently to Belcamp and you. Most importantly when you put Doctor Kramer on the stand I have a feeling that they will relate professionally. Doctor Lamb is a retired physician. I'm sure he is familiar with DNA,” said Nancy.

“And, Miss Harris?”

“She teaches biology.”

“Excellent. Do you know their numbers?”, asked Adam.

“Miss Harris is number seven. Doctor Lamb is number thirty-three.”

“OK. I feel safe in the fact that Belcamp won't call them. What I'm going to do is suck him in to blow his challenges. What do you know about number fifteen?”, Bader asked.

“Well, he's naturally an Afro-American. Professionally he's a porter,” said Nancy.

“Fine. I'll pick him. What's his name?”

“Derrick Johnson,” Nancy answered.

When Johnson was seated Adam got up from the table, walked to the jury stand and said, “Good morning Mister Johnson.”

“Good morning,” Johnson replied.

“I want to thank you for doing your civic duty by appearing here this morning. I'm sure that we have taken you away from other things that you could be doing this day. Mister

Johnson, I'll be brief. Could you tell me if you belong to any social or political groups?”

“I'm a member of a Masonic Lodge,” Johnson answered.

“Anything else?”

“I'm also a member of the N.A.A. C.P.”

“Thank you,” Bader replied and walked back to his chair.

“Later, Charles Belcamp challenged Derrick Johnson who was then removed as a potential juror.

By two PM Belcamp had used all six of his challenges and he sat frustrated while watching Adam Bader select Doctor Benjamin Lamb and Teresa Harris, both Afro-Americans. Nancy turned to Adam and said, “Well, at least Ronald Pearl has a jury of his peer's.”

At three PM Belcamp addressed the jury. “Ladies and gentlemen the hour grows late. I, like the counselor for the defendant, wish to thank you for doing your duty as a citizen of this state and county. During this trial, a trial to determine the innocence or guilt of the defendant, Ronald Pearl I will present to you evidence. Some of the evidence will be compound or connecting if you will. The evidence I will introduce could be described as complex. You will hear from experts. These experts will testify under oath what scientific findings do to prove the guilt of the defendant. I will also produce eyewitnesses that place the defendant at the crime scene on the day that Wanda Brewer, an eighteen-year-old teenager was murdered. Murdered ladies and gentlemen on a lonely almost barren stretch of jogging trail adjacent to the Mullica River. I will also show that the defendant although not knowing the victim personally, knew her by sight. Then, after I have shown you all of the evidence, produced all of the witnesses, as well as scientific experts, I will stand before you and ask you to find the defendant guilty, guilty of murder in the first degree. Thank you.”

Adam Bader rose from his chair and walked slowly but deliberately to the jury box. He then stood facing the jurors and began to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen. You have just heard the State Prosecutor tell you just how he is going to produce evidence that will prove the guilt of the defendant, Ronald Pearl.

At this time I ask you to think back to your heritage as an American citizen. In that heritage, you were taught and frequently reminded that everyone in this great nation of ours when accused of any crime is deemed innocent until proven guilty. At this very moment I ask you to keep in mind that according to the Constitution of The United States and the laws of the State of New Jersey, Ronald Pearl will sit before you according to those laws as an innocent man. He will remain so until you, you members of this jury should find him guilty.

Now, Mister Belcamp has expressed to you that he will produce scientific evidence, evidence backed by the testimony of experts. Then, he will produce eyewitnesses that place Mister Pearl at or near the crime scene. What I respectfully request from you ladies and gentlemen is that you listen carefully to what Mister Belcamp introduces in the way of evidence. At the same time, I ask you to listen to what the defense introduces in rebuttal. Finally, at the end of this trial, the judge will tell you that you must determine beyond a reasonable doubt the innocence or guilt of the defendant. I am confident that you will do your sworn duty, Thank you.”

As Adam walked back to the table where Nancy and Ronald Pearl sat Judge Rodger Taylor said, “Mister Belcamp you may call your first witness.”

“Thank you, your honor. The State calls, Officer George Benson.”

Bader watched as the police officer walked to the witness stand the stood as the oath was administered. He then took the stand.

Belcamp walked towards the man and said, “Officer Benson please tell the court your rank and just how long you have been employed by the Township Police Department.”

“Yes, sir. I am a patrolman and have been employed by the Township for three years.”

“I take it then that you have been certified, meaning that you attended a police academy and met the training required by the State of New Jersey,” said Belcamp.

“Yes, sir.”

“Now then, were you on duty on the morning of June 21, 2015?”

“Yes, I was.”

“And could you tell me about a radio transmission you received at approximately ten o'clock that morning?”

“Yes, sir. At ten minutes past ten, I received a call over my police car radio to meet a man in the parking lot at the foot of the Mullica River jogging trail. Upon my arrival, I did meet with one James Parker. Mister Parker informed me that he had been jogging on the trail when he found it necessary to relieve himself.

Wanting privacy he looked for, located high weeds and bushes and entered that area. It was then that he found the body of a young woman.”

“Then, what did you do?.” asked Belcamp.

“Mister Parker led me to where he had found the body.”

“What did you then determine?”

“That it was necessary to protect the crime scene.”

“Objection! The witness has not stated or indicated that a crime had occurred. Therefore I ask that the term, crime scene be stricken.” said Bader.

“Sustained,” said the judge.

“Let ask you this what was the condition of the victim's body?,” asked Belcamp.

“The victim lay on her back. Her eyes were open and in my mind she was dead.”

“I see. What did you do next Officer Benson?” “ I protected the scene and at the same time called into headquarters telling them what I had and suggested that detectives and evidence gathering personnel be dispatched. Upon their arrival, I introduced Mr. Parker to one of the detectives. I then went to my radio car in the parking lot and then noticed a Chevrolet automobile. I noted the license plate number and requested a motor vehicle look up. I was told later that the automobile was registered to Mr. and Mrs. Brewer of Wrangle borough.”

“Thank you, Officer. No further questions ” said Belcamp.

“Mister Bader you may cross,” said Judge Taylor.

“Thank you, your honor. Officer Benson would you tell the court your educational background?' asked Bader.

“I have a high school education and am currently enrolled in Community College.,” said Benson.

“I see. And, just what medical education or training have you received?”

“Other than a first aid course, none.”

“None? Nothing? Are you certain?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I see, you have no medical training but yet you have testified and allow me to repeat your own words. They were, “The victim lay on her back. Her eyes were open and in my mind she was dead”. Is that correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Please tell me and the court just how you made that determination,” said Bader.

“I searched for a pulse and not finding any considered the victim as deceased.”

“You searched for a pulse. And where did you touch the body?”

“First, I attempted to find a pulse beat in her wrist. Finding none I then tried to locate a pulse beat in her neck,” Benson answered.

“Then what you are telling the court and members of the jury that you did, in fact, touch the body of Wanda Brewer,” said Adam.

“Yes, sir.'

“On Sunday, June 21, 2015, you have stated that you were on duty.What hours did you work that day?”

“I worked from seven AM to three PM.”

“Are you familiar with Sally's Diner?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Have you ever stopped and ate there?”

“Yes.”

“On that particular Sunday, did you stop at the diner to have breakfast, or a cup of coffee or just to check the premises to ascertain that everything was alright?”

“Yes, I did.”

“You did what, have breakfast, coffee or check the premises?”

“I had breakfast.”

“Really, what did you have?”

“Bacon and eggs toast and coffee.”

“No further questions,” said Bader as he walked back to the table.

Belcamp stood and said, “The State calls James Parker.”

Adam watched as the witness, James Parker walked to the stand. He judged Parker to be in his early thirties and appeared to be athletic. Belcamp began his questioning. “Mister Parker is it true that on the morning of June 21, 2015, you were jogging on the Mullica jogging trail, also known as Mullica Run?”

“Yes sir,” Parker answered.

“Please tell the court just what transpired the morning of that day,” Belcamp instructed.

“ I was doing my usual run when I suddenly had the urge