Chapter 9: The Curtain Rises
Facing the severe questioning of the judge, Adam was terrified, his whole body trembling. He glanced at Arthur, who was sitting on the prosecutor’s bench, and then at the judge, whose face was burning with anger.
Adam’s eyes were filled with tears, and he stood alone, weak and helpless, unsure of what to do.
Arthur spoke calmly, his tone steady, as if he were a precise machine.
“Your Honor, the police did not use any coercive measures during the interrogation, as stated clearly in the indictment. The defendant, Adam Evans, voluntarily surrendered and confessed to his crimes.
The entire trial process was conducted in accordance with the police’s internal regulations and can withstand your scrutiny and that of the public.”
Adam listened to Arthur’s words and began to cry silently, nodding his head.
He stuttered, “Your Honor, the police didn’t use any coercive measures. I… I confessed to my crimes. The indictment says it clearly. I’m sorry, I was wrong.”
Arthur’s and Adam’s reactions enraged the judge, making him even more convinced of his suspicions. He slammed his gavel on the desk, almost shouting.
“Adam! I’m asking you! Why are you parroting the indictment? Why are you repeating the police’s words? Why are you unconditionally accepting others’ opinions?
Do you know what will happen if the police’s indictment is upheld? Your neck will be hung on the gallows, and you’ll be sentenced to death!
Oh, child, don’t be foolish! Do you know whose side you’re on? I’m giving you a chance! Let you reveal the truth to the public, and only then can you receive a fair verdict!”
Adam was terrified by the judge’s outburst, tears streaming down his face. He fell to the ground, sobbing, “I’m sorry, I was wrong. Your Honor, I’m sorry, I made you angry.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged woman with a plump figure suddenly stood up from the jury bench, like a spring that had been compressed too tightly. She pointed accusingly at the judge, her voice full of indignation.
“I don’t understand the law, and I don’t know what the police’s regulations are. But as a mother of three children, I can’t bear to see you yelling at a nine-year-old child like this, let alone threatening him with the death penalty! This is not only impolite but also immoral! You can’t treat him like this!”
The middle-aged woman’s outburst sparked a wave of resonance among the mothers in the courtroom.
They loudly criticized the judge and Arthur, complaining about how they were treating a small child like this, and threatening to protest outside the highest court after the trial.
The judge banged his gavel several times, but it only made the women’s voices louder.
The bailiffs wanted to restore order, but when they saw the women’s righteous indignation, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation.
( Bailiffs: a sheriff’s officer who executes writs and processes and carries out distraints and arrests.)
The bailiffs, who were mostly married men, understood that it was not wise to reason with the angry women.
Moreover, they were inclined to support the women’s views on this matter.
The women’s voices had not yet subsided when the men began to express their opinions.
A bespectacled company employee spoke up, “Your Honor, if I’m not mistaken, Adam Evans is only a suspect, and he hasn’t been convicted yet. But your tone is like you’re judging a real criminal. And I think this child is quite polite, from the way he’s behaved since the trial started.”
A stout factory worker nodded in agreement, “This Adam kid is better than my own son. My son is two years older than him, but he doesn’t even know how to greet his father. This kid looks like a well-behaved child, and if my son were like him, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
Faced with the ineffective bailiffs and the restless jury, the judge had no choice but to wipe his sweat with a handkerchief and request in a low voice.
“Please, gentlemen and ladies, let’s maintain some order in the courtroom. I promise to pay attention to my tone from now on. This is my mistake, and I apologize to you all.”
The women saw the judge’s apology and reluctantly returned to their seats, still fuming.
The men also closed their mouths, ready to see if the situation would improve later.
The courtroom was deathly silent, but the air was thick with tension.
The court clerk, sitting below the judge, noticed the tense atmosphere and couldn’t help but suggest to the judge.
“Your Honor, I think it’s not suitable to continue the trial in this situation. I propose a ten-minute recess to let everyone calm down.”
The judge hastily agreed, “Very well, let’s take a ten-minute break. Ladies, what do you think?”
The women didn’t want to respond to the judge, but at the critical moment, Lady Peel, who knew the judge, intervened.
“Since things have developed like this, we respect your decision.”
The judge was relieved, and he quickly prepared to go to the back room to calm down.
The bailiffs were also ready to take the crying Adam back to the waiting room.
The women in the jury saw Adam’s tears and felt their hearts breaking.
Lady Peel saw the situation and proposed, “Let me accompany him. I know how to comfort children’s emotions. Although this may not be in line with the rules, if Adam’s emotions can’t be calmed, the trial may not be able to continue.”
At this point, the judge didn’t dare to say no, even if he showed a hint of reluctance. The women would probably tear him apart on the spot.
He nodded, “Thank you for your kindness, Lady Peel.”
The other women also asked to accompany Lady Peel, saying, “Let me go with you too.”
“This is too much.”
“I can’t believe this is how trials are conducted.”
“My husband originally wanted our child to study law and become a judge. Now it seems like a terrible idea. If he really learns the law, he might not even recognize his own mother.”
The judge was criticized by the women, but he didn’t dare to respond.
All he wanted to do was leave this chaotic place as soon as possible.
However, before he could leave his seat, Arthur, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
“I apologize for wasting everyone’s precious time, but would you be willing to sacrifice a short ten minutes to listen to me?”
Arthur unbuttoned his police uniform and placed it on the chair behind him.
He rolled up his sleeves, his strong arms resting on the prosecutor’s bench, and looked at everyone with a serious expression.
“What I’m about to say, I’m not saying as a London Metropolitan Police officer, nor as the prosecutor, nor as someone who wants to send Adam to the gallows.
But as an ordinary London citizen, a friend who knows Adam Evans, understands his family situation, interests, habits, and experiences. I want to have a simple chat with everyone about this case and my personal experiences over the past six months.”
(The chapter ends here.)