Chapter 16
1660 Words
Outside the hostel the sky was grey but bright. It looked like rain had passed during the night. The ground smelled wet and fresh. Leaves stuck to the walkway. Students walked fast with bags on their backs. Some laughed. Some argued about tests. I walked alone. Each step felt loud in my ears. I kept going over rules in my head. Actus reus. Mens rea. Burden of proof. Reasonable doubt. I whispered them under my breath like a prayer.
The law building was quiet when I entered. The hallway lights were on even though it was day. Yellow light hummed softly above. The smell of old books and polish filled the air. I reached the lecture hall late. I knew I was late. Just fourteen minutes though. A minute later and I would kiss this morning lecture goodbye. The seats were wooden and cold. Windows lined one side. Thin light came in. Dust floated in it like tiny stars.
Prof Mi jun’s eyes stopped on me for a second but he continued teaching like nothing happened so I ignored.
“Today we will not just talk about criminal law. We will live it”, Prof Mi Jun announced to the class.
A low sound of excitement moved through the class.
“We will hold a mock trial. The case is fictional. The law is real”, he added.
“Normally, I would give you time to prepare for the case but I want to see for myself your individual knowledge and understanding of the law”
He began to point.
“The defendant will be Mateo”, he pointed at him.
“Sir me?” a tall boy at the back looked shocked.
I didn’t even know he knew us by our names.
“Yes you”.
Laughter burst out then died when Prof Mi jun looked up.
“The course representative will serve as bailiff. That is Charles”, he announced.
Charles stood up straight.
“His assistant the deputy clerk will be Lisa”, he added.
Lisa smiled nervously.
He then divided the class into two groups and asked each group to choose a prosecutor and an attorney and Nina and I were respectively chosen by our groups.
“Nina you will be the prosecutor”, he announced as he wrote it down along side all the announcements he made earlier in his book.
Nina smiled wide and nodded.
“Hana, you will be the defense attorney”.
My heart jumped. I stood up slowly and nodded.
“I will be the judge this time”, he announced.
I was suspecting that.
“Jury members will be three students from each group. I will pick”.
He named them one by one.
“Jury one So Yun. Jury two Francis. Jury three May. Jury four Jason. Jury five Aisha. Jury six Isaac and two witnesses Claudia and Gabriel”.
They moved to the front side bench.
“The rest of you are spectators. Watch closely”, he annouced.
The room changed. It no longer felt like a class. It felt heavy. Serious. The air felt thick. I could smell chalk dust and perfume mixed together.
Prof Mi jun explained the case to the whole class but the witnesses stories only to me, the defendant and the witnesses. He spoke in low tones. He told us the facts and the twists. I listened like my life depended on it.
The case was simple on the surface. The State versus Juan. Charge: Armed robbery causing harm.
According to the story. A small electronics shop near campus was robbed at night. The shop owner Mr Fester was injured. A phone and some cash were taken. Juan was arrested two streets away with a cut on his hand and a phone in his bag. The State said he did it. The defense said he did not.
My witnesses were two. Mrs Victoria, a shopper. And Mr Paul, a security guard. Their stories were key. Only we knew the full truth.
Nina had her witnesses too. Mr Fester the shop owner. And Officer Smith the arresting officer.
The windows rattled softly as wind passed. Clouds moved fast outside. The lights inside made shadows on faces.
Charles, the bailiff stood.
“All rise”.
We stood. Wood creaked. Clothes rustled.
Prof Mi jun sat.
“Court is now in session”.
We sat.
Lisa, the deputy clerk stood by with papers. Her hands shook.
Prof Mi jun looked at Nina then at me.
“Prosecutor are you ready?”
“Yes my lord”.
“Defense are you ready?”
“Yes my lord”.
Prof Mi jun leaned back.
Prof Mi jun says, “you may begin”.
A hush fell. My skin tingled. Nina stood first.
“My lord ladies and gentlemen of the jury today the State will prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant Juan committed armed robbery. The facts are clear. He was found near the scene. He had stolen property. He had a wound consistent with a struggle. We will show intent and action. We will show guilt”, Nina started out.
She spoke fast and sharp. Some students nodded. I could hear whispers.
Nina sat. I stood.
“My lord members of the jury today is about truth not fear. The State wants you to rush. But law teaches patience. Juan is innocent. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Evidence can lie. People can be mistaken. We will show doubt. We will show another story”.
I felt my voice steady. I breathed.
Prof Mi jun nodded.
“Call your first witness prosecutor”.
“The State calls Mr Fester, the store owner.
He walked up. He looked tired. His arm was in a sling. Well, the best they could to make it look like it was in a sling.
Lisa swore him in.
“Mr Fester please tell the court what happened that night”.
“I was closing my shop around ten pm. A man came in with a cap. He held a knife at my back. He asked for money. I refused and I tried to shout. He pushed me. I fell. And then, He took my phone and cash”.
“Do you see the man in court?” She asked him
Mr Fester looked around. He pointed at Miguel.
“That is him”, he said pointing at my client.
Gasps filled the room.
Mateo looked down. His face pale.
“No further questions”.
I stood.
“Mr Fester, you said the man wore a cap. Did you see his face clearly?” I started asking my questions
“Not fully but I saw him”.
“The light in your shop was bright or dim?” I asked
“It was dim. One bulb”.
“You were scared and injured”
“Yes”.
“So it is possible to make a mistake?” I asked but the wrong person answered.
“Objection”, Nina quickly replied.
“Overruled. Answer”, Prof Mi Jun requested .
“I do not think so but maybe”.
A murmur rose.
“Thank you”.
Mr Fester stepped down.
Nina called Officer Smith. He spoke of arrest and evidence. He said the phone was found on Juan.
I asked questions. Where was the serial number? Was the phone unique? Could anyone own such a phone? He hesitated. Sweat shone on his forehead under the lights.
Then it was my turn.
“The defense calls Mrs Victoria”.
She walked in with a basket.
“So tell me Mrs Kemi, where were you on the night of the incident?”
“I was the last shopper and I was still putting what I bought in my car in the driveway”.
“Did you see Juan that night?”
“Yes. He picked the last rice and gave it up to me. He’s a sweet boy, I told him som”.
Nina stood fast.
“Objection. Self serving”.
“Overruled.”
“How long did he stay”
“Almost twenty minutes. He waited for change”, she said.
“Did he leave running?”
“No. He walked slow. He was calm”, she replied
Whispers grew louder.
Nina cross examined. She tried to shake her. Mrs Victoria stayed firm. Her voice steady like ground.
Then my second witness.
“The defense calls Mr Paul Danjuma.”
Mr Paul wore a security uniform.
“Mr Paul where do you work?”
“I guard the gate”’
“Did you see Juan that night?” I asked
“Yes. He passed around ten thirty with a bleeding hand. He said he fell”, he explained
“Did he look like someone who just robbed a shop?”
“No. He looked confused not guilty”.
Nina objected. Prof Mi jun allowed. The jury leaned forward.
The room felt hot now. Sweat trickled down my back. The smell of bodies filled the air. Outside thunder rolled far away.
Nina gave her closing with fire. I gave mine with calm. I spoke of doubt. Of time lines. Of light and fear.
The jury was silent.
Prof Mi jun looked at the clock.
The school bell rang loud and sharp.
The sound cut through everything.
Prof Mi jun smiled slightly.
“Court is adjourned. We will continue next class”.
Relief washed over me like rain. The room broke into noise. Laughter. Talk. Breath.
I sat down slowly. My hands were shaking. Nina looked at me. For once she did not smile.
The air smelled like rain now. Light outside was softer. I knew this was only the beginning.
- Writer
