Show of Evil

'Your Honour…' Parver began, but the judge raised her hand and cut her off.

'Just one minute, Counsellor,' she said, and to Venable, 'who is this witness, Ms Venable?'

'Her daughter, Angelica, Your Honour.'

'Your Honour, this is highly irregular,' Parver snapped back. 'This is an arraignment. We are prepared to present grand jury findings supporting the state's contention that Mrs Stoddard committed the offence of first-degree murder. There can be no bond.'

'Your Honour, there are extenuating circumstances in this case,' Venable countered. 'My client has no previous criminal record. She was a valued executive secretary for years and has supported a daughter in college and a husband who is a paraplegic. Certainly the court and the prosecution can not object to hearing her daughter's plea. Fifteen minutes, Your Honour, that's all we ask?'

Judge McElroy leaned back in her chair and took off her glasses.

'I assume the defence is prepared to enter a plea,' she said, staring down at Venable.

'Yes, Your Honour.'

'And you want to introduce this witness before the prosecution makes its presentments?'

'I think it would be appropriate to do it now,' Venable answered.

'Huh,' McElroy said. She picked up a pencil and tapped the point on a pad for several seconds. 'Well, I agree with the prosecution. It certainly is an unusual departure from normal procedure. On the other hand, I do not wish this court to appear without compassion. Ms Parver, I'm going to overrule your objection. Keep in mind there is no jury here. The question of bail rests with my discretion.'

Although she was angry, Parver realized it would be foolish to stir the judge's wrath this early in the game.

'Yes, Your Honour,' Parver said.

'Thank you. All right, the defence may call its witness,' she said.

'Defence calls Angelica Stoddard.'

Angelica Stoddard was pale and nervous. Her hands were shaking as she took the oath and sat down in the witness box. Her eyes were fixed on Venable as she wheeled her chair to the front of the courtroom. Edith Stoddard stared suspiciously at Venable.

'Just relax,' Venable said softly. 'I know you're nervous but this will only take a few minutes. Give your name, please.'

'Angelica Stoddard.'

'How old are you, Angelica?'

'Twenty-one.'

'And where do you reside?'

'In Chalmers Dormitory. I attend Chicago University.'

'And how long have you been attending college?'

'Three years.'

'What kind of grades do you make, Angelica?'

'I have a 3.2 going into my senior year.'

'An A-student?'

'Well, yes. I've made a couple of B's, but mostly A's.'

'You have a scholarship, do you not?'

'Yes. It pays tuition and books.'

'And who pays your room and board?'

'My mother.'

'Mrs Edith Stoddard?'

'Yes.'

'What is your father's name?'

'Charles. Charles Stoddard.'

'Is your father employed?'

'No. My father is paralysed from the neck down.'

'And he lives with your mother?'