jg.atimetokill-第8部分

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　〃Where'd　you　take　her？〃
　〃I　don't　know。〃
　〃Just　you　and　Cobb？〃　。　　　〃Yeah。〃
　〃Who　raped　her？〃
　〃We　both　did。　Billy　Ray　went　first。〃
　〃How　many　times？〃
　〃I　don't　remember。　I's　smokin'　weed　and　drinkin'。〃
　〃Both　of　you　raped　her？〃
　〃Yeah。〃
　〃Where'd　you　dump　her？〃
　〃Don't　remember。　I　swear　I　don't　remember。〃
　Ozzie　pushed　another　button。　〃We'll　type　this　up　and　get　you　to　sign　it。〃
　Willard　shook　his　head。　〃Just　don't　tell　Billy　Ray。〃　〃We　won't；〃　promised　the　sheriff。
　Percy　Bullard　fidgeted　nervously　in　the　leather　chair　behind　the　huge；　battered　oak　desk　in　the　judge's　chambers　behind　the　courtroom；　where　a　crowd　had　gathered　to　see　about　the　rape。　In　the　small　room　next　door　the　lawyers　gathered　around　the　coffee　machine　and　gossiped　about　the　rape。
　Bullard's　small　black　robe　hung　in　a　corner　by　the　window　that　looked　north　over　Washington　Street。　His　size…six　feet　were　wearing　jogging　shoes　that　barely　touched　the　floor。　He　was　a　small；　nervous　type　who　worried　about　preliminary　hearings　and　every　other　routine　hearing。　After　thirteen　years　on　the　bench　he　had　never　learned　to　relax。　Fortunately；　he　was　not　required　to　hear　big　cases；　those　were　for　the　Circuit　Court　judge。　Bullard　was　just　a　County　Court　judge；　and　he　had　reached　his　pinnacle。
　Mr。　Pate；　the　ancient　courtroom　deputy；　knocked　on　the　door。
　〃e　in！〃　Bullard　demanded。
　〃Afternoon；　Judge。〃
　〃How　many　blacks　out　there？〃　Bullard　asked　abruptly。
　〃Half　the　courtroom。〃
　〃That's　a　hundred　people！　They　don't　draw　that　much　for　a　good　murder　trial。　Whatta　they　want？〃
　Mr。　Pate　shook　his　head。
　〃They　must　think　we're　trying　these　boys　today。〃
　〃I　guess　they're　just　concerned；〃　Mr。　Pate　said　softly。
　〃Concerned　about　what？　I'm　not　turning　them　loose。　It's　just　a　preliminary　hearing。〃　He　quieted　and　stared　at　the　window。　〃Is　the　family　out　there？〃
　〃I　think　so。　I　recognize　a　few　of　them；　but　I　don't　know　her　parents。〃
　〃How　about　security？〃
　〃Sheriffs　got　ever　deputy　and　ever　reserve　close　to　the　courtroom。　We　checked　everbody　at　the　door。〃
　〃Find　anything？〃
　〃No；　sir。〃
　〃Where　are　the　boys？〃
　〃Sheriffs　got　them。　They'll　be　here　in　a　minute。〃
　The　judge　seemed　satisfied。　Mr。　Pate　laid　a　handwritten　note　on　the　desk。
　〃What　is　it？〃
　Mr。　Pate　inhaled　deeply。　〃It's　a　request　from　a　TV　crew　from　Memphis　to　film　the　hearing。〃
　〃What！〃　Bullard's　face　turned　red　and　he　rocked　furiously　in　the　swivel　chair。　〃Cameras；〃　he　yelled；　〃In　my　courtroom！〃　He　ripped　the　note　and　threw　the　pieces　in　the　direction　of　the　trash　can。　〃Where　are　they？〃
　〃In　the　rotunda。〃
　〃Order　them　out　of　the　courthouse。〃
　Mr。　Pate　left　quickly。
　Carl　Lee　Hailey　sat　on　the　row　next　to　the　back。　Dozens　of　relatives　and　friends　surrounded　him　in　the　rows　of　padded　benches　on　the　right　side　of　the　courtroom。　The　benches　on　the　left　side　were　empty。　Deputies　milled　about；　armed；　apprehensive；　keeping　a　nervous　watch　on　the　group　of　blacks；　and　especially　on　Carl　Lee；　who　sat　bent　over；　elbows　on　knees；　staring　blankly　at　the　floor。
　Jake　looked　out　his　window　across　the　square　to　the　rear　of　the　courthouse；　which　faced　south。　It　was　1：00　P。M。　He　had　skipped　lunch；　as　usual；　and　had　no　business　across　the　street；　but　he　did　need　some　fresh　air。　He　hadn't　left　the　building　all　day；　and　although　he　had　no　desire　to　hear　the　details　of　the　rape；　he　hated　to　miss　the　hearing。　There　had　to　be　a　crowd　in　the　courtroom　because　there　were　no　empty　parking　spaces　around　the　square。　A　handful　of　reporters　and　photographers　waited　anxiously　near　the　rear　of　the　courthouse　by　the　wooden　doors　where　Cobb　and　Willard　would　enter。
　The　jail　was　two　blocks　off　the　square　on　the　south　side；　down　the　highway。　Ozzie　drove　the　car　with　Cobb　and　Willard　in　the　back　seat。　With　a　squad　car　in　front　and　one　behind；　the　procession　turned　off　Washington　Street　into　the　short　driveway　leading　under　the　veranda　of　the　courthouse。　Six　deputies　escorted　the　defendants　past　the　reporters；　through　the　doors；　and　up　the　back　stairs　to　the　small　room　just　outside　the　courtroom。
　Jake　grabbed　his　coat；　ignored　Ethel；　and　raced　across　the　street。　He　ran　up　the　back　stairs；　through　a　small　hall
　outside　the　jury　room；　and　entered　the　courtroom　from　a　side　door　just　as　Mr。　Pate　led　His　Honor　to　the　bench。
　〃All　rise　for　the　court；〃　Mr。　Pate　shouted。　Everyone　stood。　Bullard　stepped　to　the　bench　and　sat　down。
　〃Be　seated；〃　he　yelled。　〃Where　are　the　defendants？　Where？　Bring　them　in　then。〃
　Cobb　and　Willard　were　led；　handcuffed；　into　the　courtroom　from　the　small　holding　room。　They　were　unshaven；　wrinkled；　dirty；　and　looked　confused。　Willard　stared　at　the　large　group　of　blacks　while　Cobb　turned　his　back。　Looney　removed　the　handcuffs　and　seated　them　next　to　Drew　Jack　Tyndale；　the　public　defender；　at　the　long　table　where　the　defense　sat。　Next　to　it　was　a　long　table　where　the　county　prosecutor；　Rocky　Childers；　sat　taking　notes　and　looking　important。
　Willard　glanced　over　his　shoulder　and　again　checked　on　the　blacks。　On　the　front　row　just　behind　him　sat　his　mother　and　Cobb's　mother；　each　with　a　deputy　for　protection。　Willard　felt　safe　with　all　the　deputies。　Cobb　refused　to　turn　around。
　From　the　back　row；　eighty　feet　away；　Carl　Lee　raised　his　head　and　looked　at　the　backs　of　the　two　men　who　raped　his　daughter。　They　were　mangy；　bearded；　dirty…looking　strangers。　He　covered　his　face　and　bent　over。　The　deputies　stood　behind　him；　backs　against　the　wall；　watching　every　move。
　〃Now　listen；〃　Bullard　began　loudly；　〃This　is　just　a　preliminary　hearing；　not　a　trial。　The　purpose　of　a　preliminary　hearing　is　to　determine　if　there　is　enough　evidence　that　a　crime　has　been　mitted　to　bind　these　defendants　over　to　the　grand　jury。　The　defendants　can　even　waive　this　hearing　if　they　want　to。〃
　Tyndale　stood。　〃No　sir；　Your　Honor；　we　wish　to　proceed　with　the　hearing。〃
　〃Very　well。　I　have　copies　of　affidavits　sworn　to　by　Sheriff　Walls　charging　both　defendants　with　rape　of　a　female　under　the　age　of　twelve；　kidnapping；　and　aggravated　assault。　Mr。　Childers；　you　may　call　your　first　witness。〃
　〃Your　Honor；　the　State　calls　Sheriff　Ozzie　Walls。〃
　Jake　sat　in　the　jury　box；　along　with　several　other　attorneys；　all　of　whom　pretended　to　be　busy　reading　important
　materials。　Ozzie　was　sworn　and　sat　in　the　witness　chair　to　the　left　of　Bullard；　a　few　feet　from　the　jury　box。
　〃Would　you　state　your　name？〃
　〃Sheriff　Ozzie　Walls。〃
　〃You're　the　sheriff　of　Ford　County？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃I　know　who　he　is；〃　Bullard　mumbled　as　he　flipped　through　the　file。
　〃Sheriff；　yesterday　afternoon；　did　your　office　receive　a　call　about　a　missing　child？〃
　〃Yes；　around　four…thirty。〃
　〃What　did　your　office　do？〃
　〃Deputy　Willie　Hastings　was　dispatched　to　the　residence　of　Gwen　and　Carl　Lee　Hailey；　the　parents　of　the　girl。〃
　〃Where　was　that？〃
　〃Down　on　Craft　Road；　back　behind　Bates　Grocery。〃
　〃What　did　he　find？〃
　〃He　found　the　girl's　mother；　who　made　the　call。　Then　drove　around　searchin'　for　the　girl。〃
　〃Did　he　find　her？〃
　〃No。　When　he　returned　to　the　house；　the　girl　was　there。　She'd　been　found　by　some　folks　fishin'；　and　they　took　her　home。〃
　〃What　shape　was　the　girl　in？〃
　〃She'd　been　raped　and　beaten。〃
　〃Was　she　conscious？〃
　〃Yeah。　She　could　talk；　or　mumble；　a　little。〃
　〃What　did　she　say？〃
　Tyndale　jumped　to　his　feet。　〃Your　Honor；　please；　I　know　hearsay　is　admissible　in　a　hearing　like　this；　but　this　is　triple　hearsay。〃
　〃Overruled。　Shut　up。　Sit　down。　Continue；　Mr。　Childers。〃
　〃What　did　she　say？〃
　〃Told　her　momma　it　was　two　white　men　in　a　yellow　pickup　truck　with　a　rebel　flag　in　the　window。　That's　about　all。　She　couldn't　say　much。　Had　both　jaws　broken　and　her　face　kicked　in。〃
　〃What　happened　then？〃
　〃The　deputy　called　an　ambulance　and　she　was　taken　to　the　hospital。〃
　〃How　is　she？〃
　〃They　say　she's　critical。〃
　〃What　happened　then？〃
　〃Based　on　what　I　knew　at　the　time　I　had　a　suspect　in　mind。〃
　〃So　what'd　you　do？〃
　〃I　located　an　informant；　a　reliable　informant；　and　placed　him　in　a　beer　joint　down　by　the　lake。〃
　Childers　was　not　one　to　dwell　on　details；　especially　in　front　of　Bullard。　Jake　knew　it；　as　did　Tyndale。　Bullard　sent　every　case　to　the　grand　jury；　so　every　preliminary　was　a　formality。　Regardless　of　the　case；　the　facts；　the　proof；　regardless　of　anything；　Bullard　would　bind　the　defendant　over　to　the　grand　jury。　If　there　was　insufficient　proof；　let　the　grand　jury　turn　them　loose；　not　Bullard。　He　had　to　be　reelected；　the　grand　jury　did　not。　Voters　got　upset　when　criminals　were　cut　loose。　Most　defense　lawyers　in　the　county　waived　the　preliminary　hearings　before　Bullard。　Not　Jake。　He　viewed　such　hearings　as　the　best　and　quickest　way　to　look　at　the　prosecution's　case。　Tyndale　seldom　waived　a　preliminary　hearing。
　〃Which　beer　joint？〃
　〃Huey's。〃
　〃What'd　he　find　out？〃
　〃Said　he　heard　Cobb　and　Willard；　the　two　defendants　over　there；　braggin'　'bout　rapin'　a　little　black　girl。〃　（
　Cobb　and　Willard　exchanged　stares。　Who　was　the　informant？　They　remembered　little　from　Huey's。
　〃What'd　you　find　at　Huey's？〃
　〃We　arrested　Cobb　and　Willard；　then　we　searched　a　pickup　titled　in　the　name　of　Billy　Ray　Cobb。〃
　〃What'd　you　find？〃
　〃We　towed　it　in　and　examined　it　this　mornin'。　Lot　of　blood　stains。〃
　〃What　else？〃
　〃We　found　a　small　T…shirt　covered　with　blood。〃
　〃Whose　T…shirt？〃
　〃It　belonged　to　Tonya　Hailey；　the　little　girl　who　was　raped。　Her　daddy；　Carl　Lee　Hailey；　identified　it　this　？nin'。〃
　Carl　Lee　heard　his　name　and　sat　upright。　Ozzie　stared
　straight　at　him。　Jake　turned　and　saw　Carl　Lee　for　the　first　time。
　〃Describe　the　truck。〃
　〃New　yellow　Ford　half…ton　pickup。　Big　chrome　wheels　and　mud　tires。　Rebel　flag　in　the　rear　window。〃
　〃Owned　by　who？〃
　Ozzie　pointed　at　the　defendants。　〃Billy　Ray　Cobb。〃
　〃Does　it　match　the　description　given　by　the　girl？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　Childers　paused　and　reviewed　his　notes。　〃Now；　Sheriff；　what　other　evidence　do　you　have　against　these　defendants？〃
　〃We　talked　to　Pete　Willard　this　mornin'　at　the　jail。　He　signed　a　confession。〃
　〃You　did　what！〃　Cobb　blurted。　Willard　cowered　and　looked　for　help。
　〃Order！　Order！〃　shouted　Bullard　as　he　banged　his　gavel。　Tyndale　separated　his　clients。
　〃Did　you　advise　Mr。　Willard　of　his　rights？〃