Chapter Forty-One
“Hear ye, hear ye. All rise for the honorable Judge Malcolm.”
Maggie’s legs shook when she stood in the gallery, directly behind the empty defense table. Sam, Marcie, and Diane flanked her. The packed courtroom was filled with unfamiliar faces of loved ones awaiting their turn.
“Who’s next on the docket, George?” The judge was old, appeared weary and wore silver-gray bifocals perched on the tip of his nose.
Documents were handed to the judge by the court clerk, and the charge was announced along with Richard’s name. Richard was led in, wearing blue jeans and a faded T-shirt, by two deputies. He had a second to glance at Maggie before Harper Lee pushed through the gate with his briefcase and joined Richard at the defense table.
“Mister McCafferty, the charges are murd
