NLW Uprising 10, RP 2: Trial by Fire

District Court of Maryland, Harford County--Courtroom 3 (Bel Air, Maryland)

May 20, 2008, 9:01 a.m.

"All rise!  This court is now in session, the Honorable Joseph Richardson presiding!"

No matter how many times Will heard that line, it always sent shivers down his spinal column.  That line held power, no question about it; there was indeed something to be said about tradition.

"Be seated.  We are here today for the matter of the State of Maryland versus Brandy Lynn McDonald...anyone who is not here for that case may leave the courtroom immediately."

There was a brief pause, but no one moved.  There were a few witnesses for the State, and the back row was filled with police officers from the Harford County Sheriff's Office, all there to assist with the defendant or for crowd control if the need should arise.  The other people in the small room were from the various media outlets in and around both Baltimore and Miami, Brandy's home.

"Very well.  Is the prosecution ready?"

Robert Snyder rose briefly from his chair.  "The prosecution stands ready, Your Honor."

"Very well.  Bailiff, bring in the defendant."

The bailiff turned and exited a small door in the side of the courtroom, and a moment later returned with the defendant in tow, flanked by two unarmed guards.  They had allowed Brandy to dress for the occasion instead of wearing a standard-issue gray D.O.C. jumpsuit, and walked in wearing a conservative gray business suit.  However, he noted that they didn't allow her to wear heels, likely given that the ends could be considered a lethal weapon.  She was accompanied by an older man, and having been in the wrestling business for so long, Will could not help but hear in his mind:  "His opponent...coming down the aisle, accompanied by her lawyer...."

"Who represents the defendant?"

"Richard Harmon, Your Honor."

The judge nodded and continued as both Brandy and her lawyer remained standing.  "Miss McDonald, you are here today on charges of vandalism, breaking and entering, conspiracy with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or death, and conspiracy to commit vandalism.  Do you understand all of the charges brought against you in this court?"

"I do."

"And at this time, how would you like to plead?"

"Not guilty, Your Honor."

"Duly noted.  I also see before me a request from your attorney to waive the right to a trial by jury.  Is this correct?"

"It is, Your Honor."

"Mr. Snyder, have you any objections to this request by the defense?"

"No, Your Honor.  The prosecution remains ready."

"Very well.  Your request has been granted, Miss McDonald, to waive the trial by jury."

In the meantime, Will was trying to keep from yawning in seat directly behind Snyder.  The opening parts of a trial were always the longest parts of the trial itself, and inherently the most boring.  Once they got to the heart of the matter....

"If both sides are ready, the court will hear opening statements."

Well, that was faster than I thought it would be, Will thought to himself as Snyder stood up.

"Your Honor, the prosecution has obtained evidence, both physical and otherwise, to show that the defendant is indeed guilty of the crimes she is accused of, and we intend to prove this beyond any and all reasonable doubts."

As he sat down, Will's eyes widened slightly.  Beside him, Elyssa leaned over to Will and whispered, "Are they always this fast here?"

"No.  It usually takes a little longer.  Something seems amiss...unless he's trying to force the defense to commit to an error."

He fell silent as Harmon rose to his feet for his opening statement.  "Your Honor, I have seen the evidence that the prosecution wishes to present, and find it all to be highly circumstantial.  In addition, the supposed victim of the crimes my client is charged of committing is a professional wrestler by trade, who takes a lot of blunt force trauma to the head due to his line of 'work.'  As such, he cannot be relied upon for accurate testimony because of the impact of so many shots to the head could have affected his mental health."

Will was staring daggers into the lawyer's back as the attorney continued.  "In addition, due to the real estate laws of this state, my client would not have done anything she is accused of, as she has nowhere else to live but on the parcel of land that both she and the supposed victim cohabitate.  That would be a self-defeating measure, and anyone would realize that and keep from doing this sort of thing if possible.

"In summation, there is no evidence that can be presented to the court to prove beyond all doubt that my client is guilty of the crimes she is charged with."

As he sat down, Will thought, Translation from lawyer-speak to the common tongue:  I'm a damn weasel, you know it, the prosecution knows it, and there isn't a thing you can do about it.

The judge nodded, was silent for a few moments, and then said, "Very well.  We shall begin with the trial.  Prosecution, please present your case at this time."

\___(^)___/

The next hour went by smoothly, as witness upon witness gave their testimony, and the defense was finding very little to cast doubt on.  Will had not been called to testify yet, but Elyssa was the first one called to the stand.  Harmon tried to catch her in a trap about her relationship with Will, but Elyssa--a veteran of the LAPD who had transferred to the Harford County Sheriff's Office--glibly worked around the verbal ambush, keeping her answers as brief and professional as possible.  A few other officers also detailed their findings, and pictures were shown of the vandalism that had occurred on March 12, prior to his match with Mario Maurako.  The most damning piece of evidence was a book found in the search of Brandy's house, which related all of the ideas and talks she had had with her partners in crime, concerning the charges brought up in this courtroom as well as others she would have to face elsewhere.  After this was put to rest, the prosecutor then made his next move.

"Your Honor, the prosecution asks for a ten-minute recess, and permission to speak in your chambers."

"On what grounds, Mr. Snyder?"

"Point of law regarding witnesses and who can be called to testify."

The judge paused for a minute.  "Does the defense have any objections?"

"I wish to be present for this discussion, Your Honor.  Other than that, no complaints."

"Very well.  I wish to see both of you in my chambers in three minutes.  This court will stand in recess until 10:45, which is twenty minutes."

The bang of a gavel sounded as all in attendance stood to watch the judge leave the court.  The same guards took Brandy back to her holding cell, as Will remained sitting on the bench.  Elyssa muttered something about getting some fresh air, and Will nodded absently, his mind trying to figure out just what game the defense attorney had in mind.  All thoughts of his match against Black Phoenix and Kevin Heat were inconsequential at the moment; too many other things were going on that required his attention.

\___(^)___/

As the court came back into session twenty minutes later, the judge turned towards Snyder.  "Mr. Snyder, are you ready to proceed?"

"Yes, Your Honor.  The State calls...William Prydor."

This sent murmurs through the assembled crowd as Will knew it was showtime.  He just hoped that he could bolster his own position and not look like a fool.

"Raise your right hand...do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do."

"Be seated.  Mr. Snyder, your witness."

Will took one last deep breath and exhaled slowly.  He knew this entire case could be riding on the words he was about to speak.

"Mr. Prydor...you know the defendant, correct?"

"I do."

"How do you know Miss McDonald?"

"We were engaged to be married in early 2006 before complications arose."

"And what sort of complications were those?"

"Objection, relevance!"

"Character of the witness, Your Honor."

"...I'll allow it this time.  Mr. Prydor, answer the question."

"The complications were a matter of her infidelity, disclosed to me two days before we were to be married."

"And what was your reaction to this piece of news?"

"I was devastated, to say the least.  I wanted time to think things over, and certainly wanted to do so before the wedding took place."

"Were you employed at the time?"

"No.  The previous company I was with closed its' doors on Christmas Eve of 2003, and I was still unemployed as of the day of the wedding."

"Were you not worried about being able to support your future wife?"

"Objection, relevance and I move to strike!"

"Mr. Snyder, do you have a reason for this line of questioning besides establishing character?"

"I have a point that I'm trying to lead to, Your Honor."

"Sir, I'll answer the question regardless."

"Very well.  But get to your point quickly, Mr. Snyder.  The court does appreciate having its' time wasted with trivial questions."

"I was not worried about supporting us as a couple because during my time in that company, I saved most of what I earned, and invested the rest in a smart manner.  At the time of the wedding, I had approximately half a million dollars in readily available assets, plus another quarter of a million invested to return an average of five thousand a month in interest alone."

"And you figured to live off of that amount?"

"That was in addition to working as a hospital security guard, sir.  That job was to have started in a month's time, after the honeymoon."

The defense attorney looked a bit disappointed as the prosecutor continued.  "You said that you and Miss McDonald parted ways before your planned wedding.  Did you feel any ill will towards the defendant for what she did?"

"No, sir.  I was disappointed, obviously, but I never held a grudge against her."

"So why, then, would the defendant be willing to perform these acts of hatred if you held no ill will towards her?"

"Objection!  Leading question assuming guilt!"

"Sustained.  Do not answer that question, Mr. Prydor."

"So after you two split up, you ceased contact with each other, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Final question.  Why would you allow Miss McDonald back onto your property after all this time?"

"We had a deal.  Though I may be disappointed with how things turned out, by name she is co-owner of a portion of the property I have here in the county.  I cannot refuse her access while her name is on the deed; it would not be right."

"No further questions, Your Honor."

"Mr. Harmon, you may cross-examine the witness."

"Mr. Prydor, I have only one question to ask you.  It's known that you are a professional wrestler, who is currently employed and is active in the ring.  Is there any doubt in your mind that because of head trauma, your memory is not what it should be?"

"Objection!  Relevance to the case!"

"Allow me to answer that, Your Honor.  The answer is no, Mr. Harmon.  Company policy dictates that all active members be checked for signs on brain trauma and the like every two months, in light of an incident that occurred just over a year ago that may have been caused due to head trauma.  My last check-up was on the 17th, three days ago, and the doctor in charge pronounced me in good mental condition.  He has stated that he would be willing to testify to that extent if you wanted to continue this line of questioning, Mr. Harmon."

The defense lawyer looked defeated as Will sat on the witness stand, as calm as can be.  "I have no further questions for the witness."

"Mr. Prydor, you may step down.  Thank you."

As he walked back to his seat, he heard Brandy whisper to the lawyer, "What are you doing?  You were supposed to discredit him!"

The judge looked down at Snyder.  "Anything else, Mr. Snyder?"

"No, sir.  Prosecution rests."

"Very well.  Mr. Harmon, the floor is yours."

"...Your Honor, may I approach the bench?"

"Certainly."

Both Harmon and Snyder walked up to where the judge sat, and the discussion continued for the better part of three minutes.  Finally, the conference ended, and Harmon walked back to his desk, took a look at Brandy and shook his head slightly.  The look on Brandy's face would have killed most normal people as the judge spoke.  "Mr. Harmon, the floor is still yours."

"Your Honor...in light of the evidence presented, the defense has no witnesses to call."

"Now wait a minute...."

"Miss McDonald, be seated.  You are out of line!"

"If my lawyer refuses to work towards my innocence, then why should I be penalized for his incompetence?"

"Miss McDonald, Mr. Harmon has informed me that despite any arguments he could use, there would be no way for him to cause reasonable doubt in his eyes.  I am giving you one opportunity now to reconsider your plea, as your attorney has elected to not present a defense or closing arguments."

She shot a look at Harmon, then stared Will dead in the eyes.  Any lip reader worth his weight in salt could have seen her mouth "you asshole" to Will before the judge continued.  "Miss McDonald?"

"My plea stands.  Not guilty."

"Very well.  I have enough evidence now to make a ruling.  Miss McDonald, please rise."

As she did, Judge Richardson proclaimed his verdict.  "In the matter of the State of Maryland versus Brandy Lynn McDonald, I find the defendant guilty on all charges.  Sentencing will be held on June 2, until then Miss McDonald is to remain in custody at the Harford County Detention Center, pending charges from other jurisdictions.  In addition, in regards to a motion filed by one William Prydor, Miss McDonald's claims to the section of land jointly owned by both him and Miss McDonald are nullified, and sole ownership is retained by Mr. Prydor.  This court is adjourned."

Will let out a sigh of relief as Brandy was escorted away and hopefully out of his life.  Elyssa turned to him, a smile on her face.  "So now what?"

"Now, we buy a plane ticket and mail it to Oregon."

"Why Oregon?"

"Because if the tournament is to be held in Washington, I want to work with my partner on tactics and the like and not have to fly cross-country twice.  It would be easier for Ice Man to meet us here in Baltimore, and go to Bonebreakers, as we'll be closer to the show and thus have a few more days to work together.  Now that this situation is settled, I can finally focus on Heat and Black Phoenix."

Elyssa nudged him and pointed with her chin.  "That's if you can get through the sea of reporters first...."