Archive for February 8th, 2010
John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill” Chapter 9
The three coffee shops in the square had more patrons then they ever had because of the killings, which had taken place less than 300 feet from the Coffee Shop. Patrons were discussing the killings and the possibility that there were additional gunmen.
Jake made the front page of three newspapers. There were pictures of Cobb and Willard both before the shootings and when they were taken into the ambulance but no picture of Carl Lee.
Jake arrived at his office. Judge Bullard called wanting to know if Jake would waive the preliminary hearing. Jake would not as he wanted to know what evidence the State had against Carl Lee. Reporters came to see Jake. He would not discuss his defense strategy with them but admitted that Carl Lee was charged with the murder of Cobb and Willard and Jake painted a nice picture of Carl Lee’s personal life.
On Wednesday morning funeral services were held for Cobb and Willard. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for 2 p.m. that day. The courtroom was full of family members and spectators. Outside the courthouse was full of reporters. It was 1:45 p.m. and Sheriff Ozzie was tired of the reporters so he had an idea. He decided to take another prisoner, Curtis Todd, to pretend to be Carl Lee and he put him in a deputy’s car and they took off. The reporters took off behind them. Sheriff Ozzie with Carl Lee drove behind the jailhouse and took him to the courthouse.
Cameras were not permitted in the courtroom. Jake did not want Carl Lee to testify. Sheriff Ozzie and Officer Rady testified for the State. DA Rocky Childers produced an affidavit from Looney, who was still in the hospital recovering from his gunshot wound. Officer Rady testified that he interviewed a janitor named Murphy who saw Carl Lee shoot Cobb and Willard. Murphy, himself did not testified because he stuttered too much. Judge Bullard bound the case over to the grand jury. Jake did not ask for bail since he knew that Bullard would not give bail.
Late Wednesday night the doctors had to cut below Looney’s knee and remove the lower third of his leg. Ozzie was called and he told Carl Lee.
How sad that Looney’s lower third of his leg had to be cut. Judge Bullard permitted Officer Rady to testify to Murphy’s statement instead of Murphy himself - hearsay evidence. Do you think it was proper for Judge Bullard to permit the testimony? What would you have done if you were the Judge? Do you think Carl Lee is remorseful? Let’s continue reading our book together and find out.