Chapter 2

Emmett McCarty sentenced to ten years in prison
By Mike Newton – Monday, November 19, 2012

A Seattle judge sentenced Emmett James McCarty to ten years in prison yesterday morning. This sentence followed the young man's conviction of first-degree assault and possession of Marijuana with the intent to distribute.

McCarty had an altercation with Demetri Volturi, son of Senator Aro Volturi, at Eclipse bar on August 18. According to court documents, he followed Volturi home from the bar and beat him with a lug wrench. Police obtained a search warrant for McCarty's apartment following his arrest, and found over fifty pounds of marijuana.

McCarty's criminal record is sparse, and includes a stint in juvenile detention for stealing a car and robbing a convenience store at the age of fifteen. This is the 28-year-old's first adult conviction, and first time in a state correctional facility.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Rosalie Hale prosecuted the case. Although this is the defendant's first criminal charge, Hale feels confident Judge Molina made the right sentencing decision:

"Members of the justice system are responsible for seeing that criminals not only serve adequate sentences for the crimes they've committed, but that they also have rehabilitation opportunities available to help prevent further offenses. Judge Molina has handed down a sentence that will hopefully teach Mr. McCarty a valuable lesson, and start him moving forward in the right direction.

…

Rosalie sipped her latte and smiled as she skimmed over the article. The trial had dragged on much longer than necessary, but she emerged victorious in the end. Emmett McCarty was on his way to the Monroe Correctional Complex and she was busy preparing for her next case.

"What's that smile for?" Alice Brandon took a seat next to her friend and roommate and glanced at what she was reading.

"I love seeing success stories in the local news."

Alice rolled her eyes and pulled back the foil lid on her yogurt. "Only you would see that as a success story."

"He's guilty and he's in prison now. How is that not a success?"

"C'mon, Rosie. You may be ruthless, but you're not stupid. You can't possibly think that man did what he was charged with."

"His fingerprints were all over the lug wrench, Alice. Witnesses saw him leaving Demetri's home in the middle of the night. Oh, and don't forget the bricks of marijuana that were stacked in his bedroom closet, or the file of contacts to sell to on his laptop."

Alice loved playing devil's advocate with her friend – especially on cases that she didn't think Rosalie should have won in the first place. "He had no connection to the Volturi family whatsoever. Why would he decide to seek out their son at random?"

"I'm sure there are dozens of people in Seattle who don't have open connections to the Volturi family. They're the Gottis of the West Coast, Ali."

"All I'm saying is I think that there's more to the story than anyone in your department knows."

"That, my friend, is why I practice law and you design houses." Rosalie closed the newspaper and stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have an appointment with my trainer before work."

"Working on another case already?"

Rosalie nodded. "The teenage mother from Kirkland who killed her infant."

"Oh yes, I heard that trial starts this week." Alice polished off her yogurt and tossed the empty carton into the trash. "Are we still on for Saturday?"

"I wouldn't miss girl's night for the world."

"Good to know." Alice stood and stretched her arms over her head. "Good luck with the trainer!"

"Thanks! I'll need it," Rosalie laughed.

Law was an area she had mastered.

Hard core cardio workouts, on the other hand, were one she hadn't.

{-} P&P {-}

Two weeks later…

"Ms. Hale?"

The paralegal's voice startled Rosalie. "Yes?"

"You have a telephone call on line two."

"Thank you." She put her highlighter down and picked up the phone. "Rosalie Hale."

"This call will be monitored," a mechanical voice said. "I have a collect call from an inmate at the Monroe Correctional Complex. To accept charges press one. To refuse charges press two. To prevent calls from this facility press four."

"What the hell," Rosalie muttered. Her immediate reaction was to press two and hang up. The only people she knew in any correctional facility were the ones she'd had a hand in placing there, and she had no desire to speak to any of them. Her curiosity got the best of her, however, and as the recording starting playing again, she punched number one.

"Hello?" a man's voice greeted her.

"Yes, hello? Can I help you?"

"Is this Rosalie Hale?"

"It is. Whom am I speaking to?"

"Emmett McCarty."

Rosalie sucked in a deep breath. She had no idea what he could possibly want, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to find out. She held her finger over the button that would disconnect their call, debating whether or not to hang up.

"Hello?"

"What do you want?" she blurted out.

"Relax, Counselor. I'm not calling to threaten you."

Rosalie moved her hand away from the phone and balled it into a fist beneath her desk. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"I'm afraid not." Emmett was quiet for a moment before continuing. "I'm going to appeal my conviction."

"That's … great?"

"It will be great when all is said and done. In the meantime, I want you to come and see me."

She sat up straight. "Excuse me?"

"I want you to come and see me," Emmett repeated. "I'm seeking exoneration, and I want your help getting it."

"Excuse me for being frank, but that's why you have an attorney, Mr. McCarty. My work on the case was done when the jury gave their verdict."

"You had me put away for a crime I didn't commit, Ms. Hale. With all due respect, I think that leaves you somewhat responsible for helping correct this matter."

"I presented evidence to a jury, and they formed a decision based on it. They are the ones who convicted you. Perhaps they would be of more use in your quest for exoneration." Her words were heavy with sarcasm.

"They can't do shit for me," he spat out. "You, on the other hand, can right a wrong and help me clear my name."

"I'm sorry, but the answer is no." Rosalie leaned forward, resting her elbows on the edge of her desk. "Now, I have work to do. I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from calling here again."

"But-" She didn't give him a chance to answer. Instead, she slammed the phone down and disconnected the call.

"What the fuck," she mumbled, blowing out a loud breath and placing her head in her hands. This was absolutely insane. Emmett McCarty couldn't really think she'd consider helping him get exonerated.

Could he?

A/N: On a side note, I may have listened to the Creed song "My Own Prison" about 150 times while writing this.

;)