NOT GUILTY?

Court

KATE

Someday you may be called as a witness in a court proceeding. You may have seen a car accident or witnessed a crime, or you may be directly involved in a trial just like I was.

The lawyer had warned me to stay cool. To not let the strange and formal environment of the courtroom upset my composure. Be myself and stay as relaxed as possible. I tried to act calm while waiting to be taken inside but I was pretty nervous. Imagine entering the courtroom as a fugitive and a murderer.

Something that I never wished for since I wanted to be a lawyer. He had told me so many things about being in court.

Court business being a serious matter and dressing accordingly. He told me to be attentive, to not lounge and slump. Sit upright in my chair and be alert. Listen carefully to every question. If I don't understand something, I should ask to have it repeated as many times as necessary. I shouldn't answer a question that I don't understand but should answer directly, thoughtfully and truthfully.

No matter which side called you, be polite and courteous to the Judge or the lawyer asking the question. Hold my temper and never argue with the person questioning me. Answer only the questions being asked and if it cannot be answered by a simple "yes" or "no", then answer in more detail, but stick to the question and don't go beyond it. Answer only what you know or saw yourself. Do not speculate or guess. If you do not know the answer to a particular question, just say so and wait for the next question. There is no need to apologize. Speak clearly, don't mumble or be vague. The court reporter must be able to record every word. Each juror needs to hear the answer. Speak in a clear and confident tone of voice. Always tell the truth, every court case is a search for the truth, for what happened. As a witness you are under oath. You are expected to tell the truth always, to the best of your knowledge. The penalties for untruthful testimony are severe.

'You going to do well sis,' that was Karen.

Craig was helping me out and had told me all of these things. As I listened to him attentively, I couldn't stop myself from trembling. I was Nervous to see the woman that had me thrown into prison. The woman who threatened to hurt my blind sister if I didn't plead guilty but no more.

I was ready to fight for my innocence. My daughter needed me and so is my little sister. I had all the people supporting me praying for my freedom.

I also needed to fight and tell the honest truth.

I know what I did was wrong sleeping with Jason. If only I knew that he was married, I wouldn't have gotten involved with him. I should have stayed away.

'Thank you for everything,' I said to Miguel while I was breastfeeding Jasmine.

I had been allowed to be with them before the trial begins and also breastfeeding my baby.

The guard was standing outside waiting for me. I had been allowed to dress formally and not put on my prison uniform.

'Anything for you,' he responded gently squeezing my hand.

I had asked Karen and Craig to excuse us.

I needed to have a private conversation with him.

This man was heaven sent. Taking care of my daughter as if she was his own.

'I am nervous,' I honestly said.

'Don't be. We are all here for you and everything is going to be alright.'

This was my dream and wishes.

After I am found innocent, I just wanted to start afresh. Finish off my law degree and do sociology or psychology. After what I experienced in prison, I wanted to write a book. Half of the women in that place were innocent, wrongful convictions. They spent a time in prison for crimes they did not commit.

Condemning the innocent makes a mockery of justice, robbing men and women of dignity, relationship, time, opportunity and freedom. Wrongful convictions also endanger the public because locking up an innocent person means the real culprit walks free.

If Rita killed her own husband, I am sure that he wasn't the last or the first.

I finished breastfeeding my baby and handed her back to Miguel since it was almost time for me to go inside and meet my fate. I know I had no much evidence to defend myself but I just prayed to God that all was going to work out well. Have my freedom and move on with my life.

.....

RITA

Never was I going to let her walk out freely.

I was taking my time trying to look good in front of the judge. I didn't put on much make up but made myself look like a still grieving widow. I even looked for my black dress that I had put away. I wore it and sighed deeply standing in front of the mirror.

We had ups and downs in our relationship but he wasn't suppose to disrespect me in that way by dating a student and sleeping with her.

I had seen her daughter and oh! how I always wished for a baby girl but instead I had 2 boys. I never regretted having those beautiful sons of mine with him.

Children are always a blessing from God.

It's just a pity that their father was not worth the man or half the man my dad was. Speaking of my dad, he died with blood cancer. If he was still alive, he would have helped me get rid of Kate. You know I made a really big mistake that night, I should have just killed her. Framing her for that murder is something that I hadn't planned but I wasn't going down for it. She made this for herself, she should have known better not to mess around with my man.

Anyway, I finally walked out of the house to the driver who was waiting for me outside.

I needed to be driven to court.

He opened the car door for me protecting me from the journalist who stood outside my gate ready to bombard me with useless questions.

Questions like,

'What will happen if she is found innocent?'

Who was going to be found innocent?

I made sure that I gave enough evidence to my lawyer. He was a well known lawyer in Canada. I paid billions of dollars to make him come back home.

As for Kate, I had done some digging about her lawyer. It was his first time to be in court. The kid had no experience or whatsoever. They were going to lose and that was a fact.

The previous night I hadn't slept as I kept tossing and turning on the bed thinking about her.

Why did he choose her?

Was she more beautiful than I was?

I had 2 sons with him but still, he chose to cheat on me and that hurt very deeply.

Anyways, we arrived at the court and thinking that I had escaped the journalist, I saw them standing right outside as if though they were waiting for me. I was glad that my 2 bodyguards helped me to get inside without those bastards ruining my outfit. You should have seen me walking inside the courtroom. I did put on a good act shedding uncontrollable crocodile tears. I am the one who lost a husband and my children will have to grow up without their father. Everyone was sympathizing with me and I certainly convinced them that I was still hurting.

Minutes later she walked in handcuffed and wearing a black suit. There was eye contact but I quickly looked away.

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