Day 9

Create a character who is falsely accused of a crime.

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“Hands in the air,” the policemen shout. “Nancy, Nancy,” the man says between tears as he holds her in his hands, blood dripping from her body puddles forming below her. “ Sir, put your hands in the air” the policemen repeat. “ I can’t let go of her, I can’t let go of my wife” he replies. The policemen move forward and grab the man, “No, no, don’t take me away from her nooo!” he says kicking and screaming. “Cuff him,” one policeman says to another. The policeman tries to cuff him but he struggles “No, no, no” the man shouts. The policeman finally detains him “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?” the policeman says.“You have to find who did this? You have to find them?” the man shouts.

Three weeks later the man finds himself on trial, “You are being accused of first-degree murder. How do you plea?” the judge asks. “ Not guilty, I did not kill my wife” the man replies. The opposing lawyer begins I call Mr. Jewel to the stand. Now Mr. Jewel is it true that you called your wife 30 minutes before her murder? “Yes, you obviously know this” the man replies. “Is true that on this occasions you had an argument with your wife, in which, you said and I quote “ I’m tired of your shit. You’ll regret your decision. You’ll see?” the lawyer reads. “ Yes. But that doesn’t imply anything. Can’t a man be angry without being accused of murder?” he exclaims. “Judge” the lawyer replies. “ Sir please limit yourself to yes or no answers,” the judge says. The man sighs, “Yes. I said that” he replies. “ Is it not also true that only your wife’s fingerprints and your own were found at the scene of the crime?” the lawyer asks. “Yes, “ the man answers. “And is it not true that only your fingerprints were found on the murder weapon?” the lawyer asks. “Yes,” the man answer. “There you have it ladies and gentlemen of the jury, all the evidence points to only one thing Mr. Jewel murdered his wife. I rest my case,” the lawyer concludes.

Mr. Jewel’s lawyer then starts “ Mr. Jewel isn’t it true that you and your wife were married for 20 years?” he asks. “Yes it is,” Mr. Jewel responds. “ Is it also not true, that during these 20 years there was never any reports of fighting between the two of you?” his lawyer asks. “Yes,” he responds. “Do you believe those who knew you,  would describe your marriage as happy and conflict-free?’ the lawyer asks. “Yes,” Mr. Jewel replies. “One last question, is it not true that when the cops arrived you were pressing your wife’s wounds trying to stop the blood?” he asks. “Yes, I was” he answers. “Thank you. That would be all. Now ladies and gentlemen of the jury why would a man who tried to kill his wife be trying to save her? Why not just let her die? But more importantly, how can the autopsy show that she died minutes before Mr. Jewel arrived as our witness Mr. Jeffrey stated if he was the one that killed her? Clearly, ladies and gentlemen, it is not possible for Mr. Jewel to have murdered his wife. Seeing as he was not there at the time of the murder, which can only lead to the conclusion that Mr. Jewel was framed. I rest my case” the lawyer finishes.“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asks. “ Yes. On the count of first-degree murder, we find the defendant Mr.Jewel not guilty,” the juror responds.

-M.A. Fernández

Copyright © 2016 Marlin Alicea Fernández, Soul to Ink. All Rights Reserved