Court
1237 Words
After almost a week, Attelo was busy figuring out how she could save Hardin.
Hardin was still in the police station waiting to stand before the court.
Peniel was seen coming to the police station.
Hardin was seated in the cell while laying his head down.
The police officer entered.
"You got a visitor" The police officer said.
Hardin raised up and followed the police officer.
He moved to the invitation room and found his friend Peniel.
"It's a week now I guess you missed me" Hardin said while getting seated.
"How is life?" Peniel asked.
"I'm used to it" Hardin replied while his face was unhappy.
"Soon you will stand before the court" Peniel said.
"I know that" Hardin replied.
"Tessie will be the witness of your case" Peniel said.
"I know too" Hardin replied.
"There is a man who came to visit me and asked me about you" Hardin said while observing Peniel very carefully.
"What did he say about me?" Peniel asked attentively.
"If I know anything about you" Hardin replied.
"And I said nothing but it seems like something fishy going on, right?" Hardin said.
"What do you mean?" Andile asked and paid more attention to Hardin.
"You might be following my moves because you knew that I was with Tessie that day " Hardin said.
"You got something to say then go on" Peniel said while his face turned more colder.
"Let it not be because of the woman and you made everything" Hardin said.
Andile took a long breath after the words of Hardin, he thought maybe Hardin figured out everything about him.
"I can't break the brotherhood just because of a woman" Peniel said.
"And where were you that night?" Hardin asked.
"Somewhere out of your business" Peniel replied.
"Somewhere... we're?" Hardin asked again.
"How many times I haven't slept hom and you never asked" Peniel said.
"So what you mean is I'm involved in your case. Right?" Peniel added.
"I think I have to go" Hardin said.
"What about Tessie, will you dump her after everything?" Peniel said.
"What are you talking about?" Hardin asked.
"She put you here" Peniel said.
Hardin raised up and turned his back and left Peniel sitting alone.
Peniel took a long breath as Hardin was disappearing.
Days moved on and the day that Hardin had to stand before the court reached.
Hardin was taken by the police bus to the court.
People started arriving in the court.
Andile arrived also plus more others.
Hardin was taken to the Dock waiting for the judge to arrive.
Also Tessie arrived as the witness of the case.
Soon the chief judge arrived and all stood up.
The chief judge seated and all got seated.
Attelo stood on the side of Hardin as his lawyer.
The chief judge read the charges to the accused.
"If you accept your charges I can decrease your punishment" The judge said to Hardin.
All the people looked at Hardin to see what he could answer.
"I don't accept" Hardin replied.
"The defendant was found in the washing room fainted and it is because of the shock he got after hearing the witness Tessie screaming" The government prosecutor said.
"My client explained that he fainted because he was beaten by something and this shows there was a third person in the house. The hospital check up shows he was beaten" Attelo started defending.
"Let me hear the witness" The judge said.
Tessie was given time to explain what happened, she swallowed a lump of saliva while standing.
"I woke up after a night that we spent with the defendant in a hotel and I found a body lying down stabbed with a knife. I just screamed and I called the police" Tessie said.
"You lied, you didn't call the police. They just came" Hardin yelled while looking at Tessie.
"I think my honorable judge, you understand the situation. The hospital check up showed that the defendant was beaten because.... Just when he was trying to kill he got beaten and it can't be a considerable point" The prosecutor said.
The debate continued but Attelo seemed to have weaker evidence to prove the innocence of Hardin.
"I think this trial will continue next week" After a long debate the judge concluded.
"I will do my best" Attelo said to Hardin as he was taken away by the police officers.
As Tessie turned she went direct to Peniel and hugged him.
"I was afraid but I made it" She said when she gave him a hug.
"As a lawyer you should not be afraid, you just stood as a witness not a lawyer.
" But my dad said I will be appointed as a lawyer in this case and.... I don't understand "Tessie said while coming out from the hug.
" It was about but still Hardin is a lawyer till this trial ends so the director changed his
mind "Peniel replied.
" Now I can see, leaving your friend for a woman. I didn't think this could be your end"Attelo interfered with their conversation and they turned to Attelo.
"I'm just making things clear, I'm on the side of no one" Peniel tried to explain but couldn't change the thoughts of Attelo.
"I thought you could help me figure this out but you are just sitting with that woman who put your friend in trouble" Attelo said angrily while looking at her.
"He is not a killer anyway, he can't stand on the part of the killer" Tessie said.
"You see, say something Peniel ..." She facetalked with tears focused.
Peniel remained quiet while facing down.
Attelo looked very helpless and turned her back while tears streaming down her tears.
Time passed, days moved on and the day for the second trial arrived.
As usual people arrived in the court as well as Attelo, Peniel and Tessie.
Hardin stood in a Dock waiting for the judge.
Hardin stood with no hope waiting for the judge.
Soon the judge entered and all stood up. The judge got seated and all got seated.
"I think we have to continue where we ended" The judge said.
The debate started, Attelo defended so hard but the burden was too heavy on Attelo.
After long debate the prosecutor said, "I got a fingerprint test of the knife that was found on the accident"
All the court remained quiet listening to the prosecutor.
A thin sweat carrying fear came out of Attelo as waiting for a fingerprint test.
"The fingerprints were confirmed it's his" The prosecutor said while admitting the file to the judge.
The judge received the file and checked it out.
Attelo was breathing rapidly waiting for the decision of the judge.
Finally the judge announced a death sentence to Hardin.
"The appeal will be in 30 days beyond that it will not be accepted" The judge concluded.
Tears streamed from Attelo while facing down.
Hardin tried showing a compelling smile.
Attelo moved directly to Tessie and slapped her.
"Are you happy now, are you happy with this!!" Attelo yelled in pain while tears came out from her eyes.
Tessie held her cheeks while turning to red.
Quickly Peniel came and stood between them.
"Betraying your friend because of her. Feeling good too" Attelo yelled again.
"You have to leave" Peniel said to Attelo.
Attelo turned her back and left.
Andile turned to Tessie and hugged her.
- Writer
