Above The Law
Summary: Arthur and Morgana Pendragon are Albion's finest, brother and sister, detectives who work alongside attorneys Elyan and Guinevere of Leodegrance & Leodegrance Law Firm, to put away Albion's worst criminals. But there is one criminal who has managed to stay above the law…Myron Crook.
"Your Honor. This man has put his wife in the hospital more times than I have fingers! We are asking that he be remanded."
"Your Honor, that is pure speculation. Charges have never been filed against my client."
"That's because his wife is too afraid to press charges against him. You would be too, if he threatened to kill your mother."
"Order in my courtroom!" the judge barked as he banged his gavel.
Judge Firth was a fair judge who had been presiding over special victims and domestic violence cases, for over 20 years. To say that Guinevere was happy that he personally took on this case was an understatement. However, now Guinevere's client, the plaintiff and victim in this case, has withdrawn her complaint against her abusive husband.
"I'm sorry Ms. Leodegrance. If the plaintiff will not press charges against her husband, there is little legal action that I can take against him. My hands are tied."
"Your Honor I move for the charges against my client to be dropped, with prejudice" the defense attorney requested.
"Judge Firth. If you release Magnus Romney, the next time that he beats his wife she won't have to file any charges against him".
"…She'll be dead" Gwen concluded.
"Mrs. Romney" the judge addressed the plaintiff. "Are you sure that you want to drop charges against your husband?"
"Yes Your Honor" Mrs. Romney said with a hushed tone, hunched shoulders, her right arm in a sling and left eye still slightly swollen from contact with her husband's fist. "It was just a dispute between husband and wife. That's all."
"Mrs. Romney, are you absolutely sure?" the judge urged.
"You heard the bitch" Mr. Romney supplied casually.
"Control your client Mr. Barnes, or I'll hold both you and him in contempt of court!" judge Firth spat back.
"I'm sure Your Honor" Mrs. Romney repeated.
After a few moments pause the judge gave his verdict.
"This is a perversion of justice." Judge Firth could barely contain his disgust. And as much as it sickens me to do this…I have no choice but to do so. I am granting the defense's request that the charges against Mr. Romney be dismissed…
…with prejudice."
Guinevere was crestfallen. She quickly ushered Mrs. Romney out of the courtroom, stealing one last glance at her abuser, a smug smile spread across his face, while the bailiff removed his handcuffs.
Once in the court halls, Guinevere addressed her client "Mrs. Romney. I fear for your safety. Is there anywhere else that you can stay while you continue to recover from your injuries?"
"Magnus just had a bad day at work, is all. I should have had dinner ready…but my mother had a doctor's appointment…I lost track of time" the small woman defended, avoiding answering the question, and Guinevere's concerned eyes.
Just then, the doors to the courtroom swung open to reveal the defendant and his smug attorney.
"Let's go home Tilly" Magnus said, being careful to avoid his wife's slanged arm, and tightly gripping the left one instead. "You have a lovely day Ms. Leodegrance…I know I will."
With that, Magnus and Tilley Romney walked down the corridor and entered the first available lift.
"So Gwen" the defense attorney turned to ask her, "how about you and I grab a kebab for lunch?"
"I would rather skewer and roast my own arm, to have with pita!" Gwen retorted storming out of the courthouse, leaving a dejected Sylvester Barnes in her wake.