Chapter 10
Starsky and every muscle in his body were elated to be in court and out of the training room. He was escorted by Marshall. He was surprised that Marshall was by himself, Strickland usually accompanied him to court. Starsky thought maybe Strickland was just off today. He knew that guards often changed their routines to keep prisoners off guard. Today his good name would be drug through the mud by a couple of good friends. It was all a set-up of course and he hoped in the end everyone else would understand.
The coroner finished her devastating testimony on Friday and today the prosecutor called Simmons to the stand first. Simmons looked uncomfortable as he described how Starsky got angry with him for stopping him from hitting a suspect who had been handcuffed already. He stated that Starsky had handcuffed the man and threw him on the ground and sat on top of him. He went into detail how Starsky struck the man with his left hand hard enough to leave a bruise. He was about to strike again when Simmons pulled Starsky off him. Starsky grabbed Simmons by the shirt collar and slammed him onto the hood of the car.
Starsky jumped up and yelled that Simmons was lying that never happened. He was so loud and boisterous that Judge Moon threatened to have removed from the rest of the proceedings. Josh grabbed Starsky's arm and gently guided him back into his seat. Hutch leaned forward and whispered something in Starsky's ear. Josh apologized to the court for his client's outburst and begged for the court forgiveness. Judge Moon advised him to keep better control of his client.
When everyone settled down after Starsky's outburst, Hall had Simmons repeat Starsky's actions after he had pulled him off the suspect. Simmons explained again how Starsky slammed him onto the car then he took the palm of his hand and pushed the hair on his forehead back revealing small, two inch scar. He said he had to have six stitches. He explained that he never reported the incident and said he had fallen during a struggle with the suspect because he had been a friend up until that point.
They broke for lunch around noon. Today they had pizza with the works for lunch. Simmons and Babcock were in the lunch room and Simmons apologized to Starsky for all the lies and for disgracing his good name. Starsky told him it was all part of the plan. Starsky thought showing the jury the old scar was a good touch and asked how he really got the scar. Simmons said he'd had it since he was kid and fell off his bike. Hutch laughed. Hutch told Starsky that he checked out the school after he got off the phone yesterday and didn't find anything odd about it. It didn't look like it had been broken into or anything. It appeared to be an old abandoned school, just like Blanks had said. Simmons knew that it was all part the plan but he still felt bad about saying all those lies. Babcock said he would be saying more of the same when he testified. Captain Dobey reassured them again that it was all necessary. Judge Moon stated, "It appears that Detective Simmons will finish his testimony today, is that correct?"
"I think so," Don Hall answered.
"And your next witness is Detective Babcock."
"That's right. After Babcock's testimony on Wednesday I think we can make our closing arguments and present the case to the jury."
"So the jury should have the case by Thursday?" Captain Dobey asked.
"Yeah, they should," Don Hall said.
"Then the fun really begins," Starsky mused. Hutch wasn't the least bit amused and the look he shot Starsky told him just that. "Aw come on, Hutch, I'm gonna win the first couple of fights. I won't get beat up too bad."
"What if you lose?"
"I'm in the best shape I've been in since I was in the Army. I ain't gonna lose. You know I can hold my own in a fight. I won't lose until I want to."
Hutch could tell Starsky was trying to be upbeat about the upcoming fights but he knew his partner well enough to know that he was worried about it too. "Of course you can hold your own. I'd bet on you if I could." Hutch told Starsky that jumping up and calling Simmons a liar was brilliant. Josh agreed and said that would just be one more thing to put in the jury's minds. Judge Moon told Starsky not to overdo it. Starsky admitted that all the exercising was wearing him down but he could handle it. Hutch saw Starsky holding his ribs and Hutch made him lift his shirt. Starsky said he had been kicked a couple of times but it wasn't too bad. Starsky had put in too much blood, sweat and pain building up for that first fight. If he was going to find out more about it, he really had to win that first one or two. No one was sure if the fighting was contained to just this prison or if guards were organizing fights with other prisons.
When the trial resumed, Josh asked where Hutch was during the altercation he had with Starsky. Simmons stated that Hutch was busy fighting another suspect and couldn't see what was going on. Simmons stated the whole thing took place during a drug bust and it only lasted a couple of minutes. Simmons did finish his testimony on Monday. Marshall laughed as he drove Starsky back to prison. "Some friends you have there, Starsky. That Simmons guy hung you out to dry. Whatever happened to the blue line? What happened to all that brotherhood crap I hear about how cops stick together no matter what, huh? What…"
"Marshall?"
"Yeah."
"Shut up. I don't need hear any of your crap." Starsky stared out of the window and Marshall didn't say anything the rest of the trip.
As Starsky approached his cell, he became apprehensive when he saw he had a new cell mate. He was even more anxious when he saw who that new cell mate was. He tried not to show his fears and anxieties when as he stood in front of the door and waited for Marshall to unlock it. He had to struggle to keep his legs from buckling and his heart was pounding but he stood straight and tall. He entered the cell and noticed that all of his things had been moved from the bottom bunk and tossed on the floor. Starsky wasn't sure if this was a test to see if he was easily intimidated, could hold his against someone much bigger than himself or if this was some kind of sick joke. "The bottom bunk is mine," said the man Starsky referred to as the refrigerator.
Starsky picked his books off the floor. He never took his eyes off the large burley man. He studied him a moment and said, "I was here first, and that's my bunk," as he tossed his books on the bed. He took a couple of steps back and took a defensive stance.
The refrigerator stood up and said, "Is that so?"
"Yeah, it's so."
"I could pulverize you with…"
"You think so, give it a try." Starsky squinted his eyes just a little to make himself appear a little more threatening.
The man lunged toward Starsky and Starsky stepped aside and his attacker hit the wall behind them. Starsky stood back and watched the man struggle to his feet. He looked into the camera and said, "I'll fight in the ring, but not here, not like this." He reached his hand out and offered it to assist the man to his feet.
The man looked at the camera, reached his hand out and took Starsky's. "You're right." He stood up and sat on the bottom bunk.
"I'll take the top bunk. Say, what's your name?" Starsky sat on the bed next to him.
"Well, it's not the refrigerator."
"You heard about that, huh?"
The big man grinned, "I've been called worse a lot worse, but my real name is Mike Garrison."
"I'm Dave Starsky, but you can call me Starsky. And it's nice to know you're not out to kill me."
"You can call me Mike and I may use 'the refrigerator' in the ring. It sounds kinda intimidating. What's that you're reading?"
"The Star Wars books. Do you like to read? I could let you read them." Mike lowered his head and let his shoulders slump. He looked as if was ashamed of himself. "You can't read, can you?"
"No." Mike shook his head.
Starsky felt bad for the large man. He couldn't imagine going through life not being able to read. He stood up and grabbed one of the books from his bed. He sat back down and showed the book to Mike. "I'll make you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"You don't pulverize me, and I'll teach you how to read."
"Why? Why do you even care? No one else cares, I'm nothing."
"Hey, you're not nothing. And like I said, I'd rather you not pulverize me."
"I wouldn't hurt you anyway. Not until you're found guilty. I've got orders."
"Orders? Not until after the trial? You mean after the trial, I gotta fight you?" Starsky said with just a hint of fear in his voice.
"Naw, you'll fight guys in your own weight class." Mike said. He looked at the book Starsky was holding. "Do you think you can really teach me to read?"
"Sure I can."
Mike reached for the book and Starsky handed it to him. "You won't have to fight me. I'm outta your weight class."
Starsky felt relieved. "That's good to know."
Mike laughed, "Yeah, I'd pulverize you with one good blow."
Starsky took the book and read the back cover to Mike. "Doesn't that sound like a good book?" He didn't get a response from Mike. "Hey, look we have nothing better to do, whataya say I start. Tell me what you do know about reading."
"It's not like I haven't tried to read. It's just that…" He stopped.
"Nobody's cared enough to teach you."
Mike nodded. "I grew up in foster homes. My Dad died in jail when I was young and my Mom died from an overdose. I know the alphabet and I can write my name. I can read a little bit."
"Well then, half the battle is over." Starsky opened the book to the first page. He sat closer to Mike and started reading the first page. He showed Mike how to sound out the words. Starsky told Mike that it would take a little time but he was doing great. It was after midnight before they called it a night. Starsky promised to continue teaching Mike.
Tuesday, Starsky and Mike were taken to the training room early. Starsky's muscles were beginning to get used to the abuse and he found himself able to do more pushups and pull-ups than he ever had. He surprised himself how well he was doing. He was also grateful that his body was cooperating and not trying to fight back with his every movement. Starsky did everything he was asked and he even exceeded Strickland and Marshall's expectations. Starsky saw Mike hitting the punching bag while he was lifting weights. "Hey, Marshall?"
"What is it, Starsky?"
"I want to try the punching bag. I've never tried that before."
"Mike, show your cellmate here what to do."
Mike nodded and Starsky put the weights down. He looked at Mike and said, "Take it easy on me will ya? I've never done this before."
Mike held the bag while Starsky balled up his fists and hit the bag. Mike laughed when the bag barely moved. "Watch it, Starsky, or it will knock you out." He showed Starsky how to properly hit the bag. Starsky gave it his all. He knew the first fight was coming soon and he had to win.
Starsky thanked Mike for helping him that afternoon with the punching bag. They sat together at dinner and they went to the library afterwards. Starsky helped Mike pick out a couple of books that would be easy for him to read. There were a lot of prisoners who couldn't read for various reasons and the library kept books that were designed to help those who wanted to read. When they returned to their cell, Starsky helped Mike learn more words. "You know, Mike, you're learning this stuff pretty quick. You read that last page all by yourself."
Mike sat up straight and smiled, a rarity for him, and said, "I did, didn't I?"
"You sure did and I thought you said you couldn't read."
"But this is just a kids book."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short. You gotta start somewhere. Besides the words are the same no matter what book you're reading."
"Tomorrow's Wednesday, you got court, don't ya?"
Starsky nodded his head, "Yeah, I got court. That no-good Detective Babcock is going to testify against me. It's beginning to look like I'll be here a long, long time, my friend."
"Do you think I could take a crack at the book you're reading?"
"Yeah, sure." Starsky stood up and retrieved his book from his bed. Starsky showed the book to Mike and helped him to sound out more words. "This is easier than I thought. You're catching on pretty quick." Mike smiled and read the next line.
The next morning, Blanks came to take Starsky to court. As planned on Monday, Babcock took the stand. He testified that he had been hit by Starsky on two separate occasions. Prosecutor Hall asked Babcock to go into specific details about both incidents. Babcock looked at Hutch then at Starsky, "The first time was a few months ago. My partner Simmons was out on medical and I was working with Starsky and Hutch on a series of rape cases. Starsky was really worked up, one of the victims was someone he knew. I had the suspect in cuffs and was putting him in the car and Starsky tried to grab him and I stopped him. The suspect got in the car and Starsky punched me in the gut." Babcock rubbed his abdomen as if he was recalling the incident.
During the lunch break, Starsky was taken to the same room. He was glad to see everyone there. He was even happier when he saw that Hutch brought him some of Huggy's meatloaf with all the fixings for lunch. He sat down and began to dig in. Starsky told everyone about Mike and how he was teaching him to read and Mike was helping him with his workouts. Hutch laughed out. "What's so funny?" Starsky asked him.
"Only you could make friends with the biggest meanest prisoner on the block."
"I see your point. Anyway, I don't have thing else to report. We were in that training room most of the day. We went to the library after dinner."
Don Hall stated that he would finish with Babcock today and he would be ready for closing arguments the next day. Josh Corbin said he was ready to deliver his too. Captain Dobey asked Starsky if he was ready for the next phase of the operation. Starsky assured everyone, especially Hutch, that he was ready.
Babcock testified that a few weeks ago, he pulled up on the scene of a robbery and Starsky had a suspect on the ground and he kicked the man even though he was already down. Babcock finished his testimony and Judge Moon adjourned court for the day. He said they would resume tomorrow with the closing arguments from both sides.
Starsky was taken back to his cell by Blanks. He stepped inside his cell and noticed that Mike had a black eye. He waited until Blanks walked away then he asked, "What happened?"
"Take a guess,"
Starsky sat next to Mike. "You had a fight today while I was gone, didn't you?"
"That is what we train for. Don't worry, I won."
"Who'd you fight?"
"I don't take names."
"Mike, how long have you been in here?"
"I've been here six years."
Starsky picked up the book Mike picked out from the library and as he opened it he whispered, "Mike, when did the fighting start?"
"Almost a year ago. Why?"
Starsky shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just curious. I guess it's the detective in me." He pointed to a word on the page and Mike sounded it out. "I don't think you've been honest with me, Mike."
"What?"
"You're reading much better in just a couple of days. You read a lot better than you let on to begin with." Starsky smiled. He was proud of Mike. "You Know, Mike, I'm proud of you."
"Proud of me, for what?"
"Learning to read. It's a big step. You're doing great. You read two whole pages without help." Starsky continued to help Mike read until well after midnight. Mike was starting to read and was so excited Starsky thought it was like a watching a kid in a candy store. "You're doing great, Mike. If you get the chance tomorrow while I'm in court, you try reading one of my books. I'll help you when I get back."
"I'll have plenty of time tomorrow. I won the fight today so I get to go where I want tomorrow."
"That's good. How often do you have to fight?" Starsky whispered so only Mike could hear him.
"About once a week sometimes less. "Mike whispered back.
"Have you ever lost?"
"Sure, I have."
"You've lost, as big as you are? I don't stand a chance."
"Remember I told you, you'll only fight in your weight class. I've seen you working out; I don't think you have anything to worry about. I've only lost three fights."
"Thanks."
The prosecutor and Starsky's lawyer presented their closing arguments to the jury the next day. When both sides had finished, Judge Moon instructed the jury and reminded them what the charges were and if they felt there were any doubts to Starsky's innocence they had to return with a not guilty verdict. But if they believed beyond a shadow of a doubt, they must find him guilty. Josh was pretty sure that Starsky would be found guilty and told Starsky that the verdict could take twenty minutes or days. With the evidence against him, the wait shouldn't be too long. Juries usually take longer to return with an innocent verdict than they do with a guilty one. Starsky was taken back to jail without getting to talk to everyone.
Friday came and went without a verdict from the jury. Starsky spent most of his time in the training room. In the evening, he listened to Mike read. It didn't take very much time at all to teach him the basics of reading. The more he was able to read the more he wanted to read.
It was Saturday afternoon before Starsky was notified that the jury had come back with a verdict. He showered quickly and was standing in front of Judge Moon within an hour. Hutch was standing right behind him along with Captain Dobey. Starsky and his lawyer were standing. Judge Moon asked the jury if they reached a verdict and the foreman said they had. The foreman handed the verdict to the Judge. The judge handed the paper back to the bailiff who handed it to the foremen. The foreman read, "We the jury find the defendant guilty as charged." Starsky stood straight and let out a sigh when the verdict was read. The judge followed the verdict by saying, "David Michael Starsky, you have been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Before I deliver the sentence I'd like to say that your actions not only disgraced you, but you disgraced your department and let your partner down." He continued to lecture Starsky that as an officer he was expected to be better than that and that his actions were deplorable and reckless. He sentenced Starsky to fifteen years behind bars. Starsky looked at Hutch and said, "I'm sorry I let you down, Buddy."
Hutch patted Starsky on the shoulder and said, "You didn't let anyone down. We'll appeal don't worry." Starsky just nodded as he was led out of the room and back to prison.
