The Abused
Chapter Ten
Court Hearing
It's been three months since Jack was attacked by his father. He has recovered from most of his injuries. He still uses a cane to get around as his leg hasn't healed completely. Jack has been making some stride in reconciling with his friends. He's already been speaking with Syd. Bridge called him and informed that he'd be testifying on his behalf. This made Jack feel good. Knowing that Bridge had his back made him feel better about their friendship. Jack and James even began speaking regularly. The two would hang out together with his friends. Jack was surprised to know that James' friends idolize him.
As the court date nears, Tanya and Anthony Miller sat with Jack preparing him for court. She was telling him how to answer certain questions when John's attorney cross examines him. Jack nodded listening. Knowing that Bridge, would be there helped him relax a bit more despite his nerves. Aisha was still having trouble reaching out to Jack. Rocky would spent time talking to Jack trying to get him to speak with Aisha. Jack is contemplating what Rocky was said to him.
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The court date has arrived. Jack is standing in front of his mirror trying to ties his tie. He's having difficulties doing so. He's wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt and black slacks. His dreads are pulled back into a ponytail. There's a knock at his door.
"Come in." Jack said as Adam came into his room.
"Are you ready?" Adam asked walking over to him.
"Yeah but I can't tie my tie." Jack said. Adam went over to him and began to fix Jack's tie. "I'm nervous uncle Adam."
"Why are you nervous?"
"Having to testify against him. Having to see his face again." Jack said looking away. Adam finished his tying his tie and gently grabbed his shoulders.
"You don't have to be nervous. He put himself in jail not you. All you have to do is tell the judge what he did and the judge will send his ass away for a long time." Adam said. Jack nodded. "Don't worry. After today, you'll be able to sleep better." Jack nodded again. "Let's go." He said as he and Jack left his room. Jack put on his shades to cover his eyes.
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Rocky's car pulled up to the curb of the court building. He got out of the vehicle followed by Aisha who was in the passenger seat, Jack, James, and Katie. Adam's car pulled up behind Rocky's. He and Tanya got out of the car. Anthony Miller was there talking with some detective Winters. Standing next to him was Bridge and Boom. Rocky and the others made their way towards Anthony.
"There's the young man of the hour." Said Anthony. "How are you feeling Jack?"
"A little nervous." Jack responded.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Do exactly like we practiced and you'll be fine ok?" Tanya asked. Jack nodded.
"You ready?" Asked Bridge.
"Yes." Jack said. "Let's do it."
"Wait. We have others who are coming." Bridge said as he turned to see another car pull up to the curb.
"Who's that?" James asked. He watched as Mrs. Delgado got out of the passenger seat, Danny Delgado got out the driver's seat. Z, Sky, Syd and Andy got out of the back of Danny's car. Jack was pleasantly surprised.
"What are you guys doing here?" Jack asked.
"You didn't think you were going to do this alone did you?" Sky asked. Jack stared at him wondering if he was truly sincere about this. "Don't worry. We're here for you Jack. I promise." Jack went over to him. Both shook hands.
"Thanks man." Jack said as the two embraced in a hug.
"I owe you one." Sky said. Syd smiled.
"Andy, you didn't have to come." Jack said to Andy.
"Dude, it's like I told you before, all I wanted was your friendship." Andy said.
"You got it." Jack said shaking his hand. Everyone smiled having witnessed the reconciliation between Jack and is friends. The only person left was Z.
"Can I get a hug?" Z asked.
"Sure." Jack said pulling Z into a hug. She held onto him tight.
"I'm so sorry." Z said.
"It's ok." Jack said.
"Now that you have your support system, let's go get this court date over." Anthony said.
They all headed into the court building. Anthony Miller sat in the prosecutor's seat along with Tanya. Jack sat behind them. To his right was Z, Bridge, Boom, Andy, Syd and Sky. To his right was Aisha, Rocky, James and Adam. In the other seats next to Jack were Detective Wallace and the Delgados. Seating at the defense table was John's lawyer Milton Roberson. The security guard brought John out into the courtroom. John stared at the group before him. He made eye contact with Jack who frowned. John returned the gesture. Without realizing what he was doing, Jack grabbed Aisha's hand for comfort. She returned the gesture. John took his seat next to his lawyer as the judge came out of her chambers. There were other patrons in the court room including two news reporters who got wind of the story. The bailiff stood up to introduce the judge.
"All rise." Said the bailiff. Everyone in the courtroom including the jury stood up. "The state of California verse John Landors in session. Judge Mary Kindler presiding."
"You may be seated." Said Judge Kindler. Everyone sat down. Are the counselors ready to present their opening statements?"
"Yes your honor." Both Anthony and Milton said. Both attorneys made their opening statements. Anthony's was more convincing than the Milton's was. It was now time for the witnesses to testify.
"Mr. Miller, call your first witness." Judge Kindler said to Anthony
"Your honor, I call Detective Winters to the stand." Anthony said as Detective Miller made his way over to the witness stand. The bailiff swore Detective Winters in. He then sat down in the witness seat. "Tell the court your full name detective?"
"Detective Raymond Winters."
"Detective, how did you find out about the assault on the young Jack Landors?"
"My lieutenant told my partner and I."
"Did you go to the hospital to first or the scene of the crime it's self?" Asked Anthony.
"It's procedure to visit the crime scene first." Detective Winters responded.
"Why is that detective?"
"It gives us meaning my self and my partner a chance to see what may have taken place."
"Tell the courts what you found at the crime scene?"
"The forensics team was already there. There was some much blood in the foyer. Most of it belonging to Jack. We found a bloody shirt belonging to Jack. The forensic report indicated that John's fingerprints were found on his shirt."
"What did that tell you?"
"That both were in a struggle with Jack ending up on the wrong side of it."
"What else did you find at the crime scene detective?"
"We saw that the front door had been broken. We initially thought that there was a break in and Jack defended his home resulting in him ending up in the hospital."
"What changed your mind?"
"Danny Delgado who was there with us pointed out that none of Mr. Landors personal items had been taken. Whoever assault Jack, wanted to make it look like a robbery."
"That's when he told you about Jack Landors' father John?"
"Correct. He said he knew John and he wasn't what he appeared to be."
"No further questions your honor." Anthony said going over to sit next to Tanya on his side of the room.
"Correct me if I'm wrong detective, how was it that my client was taken down to the precinct without being officially arrested and charged with a crime?" Asked Milton.
"Detective Bradley and myself asked him to come to the precinct. We just wanted to talk to him. He could've turned us down but he didn't. It was there that we questioned him about his son and his whereabouts during his son's attack." Detective Winters responded.
"What did my client tell you?"
"He said he was out of town at time Jack was assaulted."
What town did he say he was in?
"Houston, Texas."
"Did you believe him?" Milton asked.
"Not really. One of our other detectives checked his alibi."
"What did you learn?"
"That he left Houston earlier that same day. Meaning, he would've been home in time to commit the crime."
"All this is circumstantial. How was an arrest made on my client so fast?" Milton asked.
"Mr. Miller got a court order to search Mr. Landors' personal property. Detective Bradley and Mr. Delgado went to Mr. Landors's home and searched the vehicle. That's where we found the weapon used on Jack." Detective Winters said pointing to the bat which was brought into the courtroom as evidence. Aisha cringed at the site of the bat.
"What was the weapon?"
"It was a bat." Detective Winters said.
"Did you get a chance to talk with the victim in this case?" Milton asked.
"Yes. Jack said he remembers being assaulted and said that he blacked out after the first initial blow."
"Has he described other incidents were he was abused?"
"Not to me no."
"No further questions your honor." Milton said before going over to sit next to John.
"You may step down." Judge Kindler said. Detective Winters sets down from the witness stand. "Mr. Miller, call your next witness please."
"Prosecution calls Brighton Carson to the stand." Anthony said as Bridge stood up from his seat and made his way over to the witness stand. The bailiff swore him and he sat down. "State your name for the court?"
"Bridgton James Carson." Bridge said.
"You're friends call you Bridge correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Bridge, how long have you've known Jack?"
"Since we were five years old." Bridge said smiling at Jack.
"That's quite a long time."
"That it is." Bridge said.
"Bridge, did Jack ever talk to you about his father abusing him?"
"No."
"How did you know he was being abused?"
"I saw the bruises. Jack hid them pretty well but I knew it was happening."
"How often would he come to school with bruises on his face?"
"At first it was once in a blue. Four months before he ended up in the hospital, he was coming to school with a mark on his cheek, his eye, his lip would be busted or he'd a bruise on his shoulder."
"Had you witnessed Mr. Landors hit Jack on any given occasion?"
"Yes. It was four months ago, after a game against out school's rival baseball team. Jack was the captain of the team and he had been struggling at the plate. He struck out four times and Mr. Landors was all over him. I decided to go check up on Jack to see if he was ok only to witness Mr. Landors in Jack's face. Then he hit him." Bridge said frowning hard.
"What did you do at that time?"
"Nothing." Bridge said after hesitating. Jack watched him. "I should've said something."
"It was at that point that you knew he meaning Jack was being abused?"
"Yes."
"No further questions." Anthony said going back to sit in his seat.
"Your witness Mr. Roberson." Judge Kindler said.
"Mr. Carson, what was your impression of Mr. Landors when you first met him?"
"Well, that was so many years ago. I was only five years old at the time."
"Yeah but when you saw him, what did you think?"
"He looked scary to a five year old. He was taller and bigger." Bridge said earning a chuckle from the courtroom.
"Did you think he was an abuser at the time?"
"No sir."
"Had you ever had conversations with Mr. Landors?"
"No sir. He struck me as the type who didn't want to be around little kids."
"So it's fair to say that he couldn't have abused Jack right?"
"Yes but…" Bridge said but is cut off by Milton.
"Has Jack ever told you that his father was abusing him?" Milton asked.
"No."
"So based on one incident you witnessed, that means my client has been abusing his son?"
"No. But….." Bridge says but is cut off again.
"No further questions your honor." Milton said cocky and arrogantly.
"Permission to redirect your honor?" Anthony asked from his seat.
"Go ahead counselor."
"Bridge, growing up did you notice any bruises Jack may have suffered at the hands of his father?" Anthony asked still seated.
"No sir."
"Describe when he was little boy and the Jack that you see before you?"
"Back when we were little, Jack was so energetic. He use to play every sport he could get his hands on. Football, basketball, baseball, soccer. You name it. Jack was into it. I swear I didn't know where that he got all that energy. He was so much fun to hang with him. My other friend Elizabeth Delgado who we calls Z had moved to town and three of us have been three musketeers. It was a few years later that Z and I noticed the change in Jack. We were about eight years old at the time. Jack became more distant. He barely spoke."
"Why do you think that was?"
"It was because of his parents' divorce. Jack said that he was afraid his mother would leave him and that he blamed himself."
"Did he say anything else?"
"He said that he overheard his father say that he blamed Jack for their separation." Bridge said looking at Jack who frowned. "Z and I did everything to cheer him up but I could tell he was hurting."
"Did Jack ever tell you that his father had abused him at anytime?"
"No sir." Bridge said feeling like he failed Jack.
"No further questions your honor." Anthony said.
"You may step down young man." Said Judge Kindler. Bridge got up from the witness stand and went to sit back in his seat. "Counselor call your next witness."
"Prosecution calls Aisha Campbell to the stand." Anthony says as Jack let's Aisha's hand go so she could go up to the witness stand to testify.
"Your honor, she wasn't there when the crime happened. How is that she's a witness?" Milton said trying to defend his client.
"She's the defendant's ex-wife and the mother of the victim. Who better to tell the courts about the defendant's character?" Anthony responded. Aisha was sworn in.
"I'll allow it." Said Judge Kindler.
"Fine." Milton said angrily.
"Milton, I want to testify on my own behalf." John whispered to his lawyer.
"Are you crazy?" Milton asked. "That's a bad idea."
"I don't care. I'm tired having to sit her and listen to this crap about me. I want to defend myself." John said forcefully.
"Fine." Milton said.
"State you full name please."
"Aisha Tamara Campbell. Formerly known as Aisha Landors." Aisha said.
"Ms. Campbell, tell the courts about your relationship with Mr. Landors?"
"He's my ex-husband."
"Why did you get divorced?"
"He had been cheating on me for months."
"How did you find out he was cheating on you?"
"He was away on one of his so called business trips." Aisha said using air quotes. "I thought I'd surprise him with a visit and I was the one shocked. I caught him with his pants down receiving a blow job." The crowd giggled.
"Woow." Was all Anthony could say. "How did you respond?"
"I was so hurt I left the hotel room and caught the next flight back home. When he got home, we had it out. He didn't deny the affair." Aisha said angrily.
"What did he say?"
"He said he said he resented me for giving birth to Jack. John wanted to wait to have children. I guess I got pregnant at the wrong time."
"Tell the court about his relationship with Jack?"
"You mean lack there of. John spent most of his time working. Anything he could do to keep his distance from Jack, he did."
"So he didn't spend anytime with Jack?"
"No not at the time. It was when I had James when John began spending more time at home. See he loves James because James was born at the right time. John's career was blossoming and he was making more money. Things were good for him. He would spend time with James. He made sure James was fed and changed. He even bathed James."
"How did this make Jack feel?"
"I could tell he felt lonely and left out. I did whatever I could to make Jack feel like he was part of the family. John was just strip that away from him. Whenever Jack would ask John to take him to the park, John would say no. But when James would ask, they'd be out there in five seconds." Aisha said as Jack frowned remembering those days.
"Did John ever show Jack any attention?"
"When Jack was about ten years old, Jack was becoming quite the athlete. His favorite sports were baseball and basketball. Jack excelled in both sports. This was when John realized that we could be raising a future superstar athlete. That's the only time he showed Jack any attention."
"Was this before or after you divorced him?"
"After. John had gotten custody of Jack while I got custody of James."
"Did you tell the judge what John was like with Jack?"
"Yes. I told the judge that John didn't want Jack and that I should have custody of both my sons. The judge didn't listen."
"Take us back to the day you found out Jack was in the hospital, what went through you mind?"
"I was terrified. I didn't really know what to think. Jack had come to spend the week with James and me. When he showed up, he was bruised and battered. I asked him about his face and he said that he was in a fight with some kids. I didn't know at that time what was really going on."
"When you found out your ex-husband may have done this to Jack, what went through you mind then?"
"I was angered. I didn't think John could hurt Jack like that but I guess I was wrong."
"No further questions your honor." Anthony said feeling good about Aisha's testimony.
"Ms. Campbell, was John a good husband?" Milton asked cross examining Aisha.
"At first he was. After Jack was born, it went down hill from that point on."
"Isn't it true that John hated your friend ship with a one Mr. De Santos and Mr. De Santos is the reason you divorced your husband?"
"My friendship with Rocky has nothing to do with our divorced." Aisha said forcefully. "He was having sex with other women. That is the reason we divorced.
"So you didn't divorce your ex-husband just so you could get back with your high school sweat heart?"
"That's correct. Rocky and I had some great times but he was not the reason I divorced John." Aisha said defending her self.
"Has John ever abused Jack in the past?" Milton asked.
"Verbally yes. Not physically."
"Give me an example of the verbal abuse?"
"He would call Jack pardon my French a fucking prick." Aisha said as the jury groaned angered at the name calling. "He would call Jack every name in the book and went as far as to blame Jack for our divorce."
"How did you feel when the courts granted John custody of Jack?"
"I was angry, hurt. I thought I'd never see Jack again. John moved across town and refused to let me spend time with Jack."
"What do you mean he refused to let you spend time with Jack?"
"I would call him to speak with Jack and all I got was the dial tone. He'd hang up on me."
"How much of an effort did you make to see Jack?"
"I just told you I tried calling him."
"How often?"
"Every day." Aisha said.
"How come you didn't just come by to see Jack?" Milton asked. Aisha looked away sadly. "Jack was into sports and according to his file played baseball, how come you never went to his games?" Milton asked her.
"I have been to Jack's baseball games. I went to a few of them when he was a freshmen." Aisha again defended her self.
"Why did you stop?"
"Because was working. I had a job to do.
"The truth was Ms. Campbell, you were too busy working to care what Jack was doing with his life or you just didn't care about him at all."
"That's not true." Aisha yelled. "Yes I worked a lot but that doesn't mean that I don't care about Jack. I love him he's my son. My oldest boy. I love him." She cried. Jack watched her wondering if those tears were real. "Look, I should've made more of an effort to be in Jack's life but I worked all the time. I figured he was ok. If I knew then what I know now, I would've fought harder to get custody of Jack. I made a mistake but that doesn't mean I never loved him. I will always love him and James. You don't know what's it was like to sit in that hospital room watching my child lay there with his face all bruised and battered. I felt helpless. I regret not being there for him like he needed me to be. I regretted it. Watch him fight for his life only fed my regret and my guilt. I should've been there and for that I'm sorry. " The jury felt for her. So did the judge and Anthony. Tanya smiled remembering how passionate Aisha could be. Z held Jack's hand tight. Sky, Syd, Bridge, Boom and Andy all smiled. They knew Aisha cared about her sons.
"No more questions your honor." Milton said feeling bad he went at Aisha the way he did.
"You may step down Ms. Campbell." Said Judge Kindler. Aisha stepped down from the witness stand and heads to seat next to Rocky. He was proudest of her for getting on the stand and talking about what happened between her and John. It must've been really difficult for her to do that. She did it to show Jack that she loves him and wants to mend their relationship. "Call you next witness counselor."
"Prosecution calls Jack Landors to the stand." Said Anthony. All eyes were on Jack as he stood up and headed over to the witness stand. He was sworn in. "State your name for the courts?"
"Jacob Joseph Landors." Jack said.
"Jack how are you feeling today?"
"I'm fine. Better than I was a few weeks ago."
"What was your relationship like with your father?" Anthony asked him. Jack thought about that for a moment. "Jack, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. What was my relationship with my father like?" Jack said repeating what Anthony had asked him moments earlier. "My father hated my guts from the day I was born. He never treated me like a son. I was burden placed upon him by the courts. The only time he acted like a father was when I was playing baseball. In fact he was more of a drill sergeant then a father. Even then I knew it was too good to be true."
"Jack did your father physically abuse you when you were little?" Anthony asked.
"No." Jack said
"When did the abuse begin?"
"Shortly after my parents got divorced. When dad got custody of me, I knew things would change."
"When was the first time he hit you?"
"Three weeks after they divorced. We were in the store shopping when dad slapped me on the face for walking too slow. It only got worst from there."
"How did you get into baseball?"
"Dad put me in the YMCA because he had to work. He'd leave me there until it was time for me to come home. This is where I learned to play baseball."
"Was this his way of helping you with your baseball career?" Anthony asked sarcastically.
"Basically." Jack said answering the question.
"Often were you beaten by your father?"
"Every other day. He would drink and whatever made him mad that day he'd take it out on me."
"Describe the physical altercations?"
Jack took a deep breath before answering the question.
"It started out as slaps across the face and hands until I got old enough for him to use me as a punching bag. I recall him shoving me into walls and I end up with a bruise on a shoulder, I remember him kicking me in my stomach one evening for asking him about sex." Jack said frowning. Aisha sobbed lightly as she listened to the abuse her son suffered at the hands of his own father. "He even broke my arm and made me lie about how it got broken. My father went as far as to threaten killing me if I told anyone."
"This was the reason you kept it to yourself?"
"Yes." Jack said feeling the knot in his throat getting bigger trying to keep from crying.
"Baseball is an escape for you is it not?"
"Yes. I play to keep my mind off of the abuse."
"It must've been difficult to concentrate never knowing when your father would attack you?"
"Yes. It was reason I was struggling at the plate this season. When I first started high school and joined the varsity team, I was happy and we were winning. That didn't stop him though. To keep people from getting suspicious, my dad would leave the marks on my shoulder, my chest and my back. Never my face. It wasn't until recently when I began to struggle. It seemed like every night I was being punched in the face."
"You came to school with marks on your face did you not?"
"Yes."
"Did the teachers say anything to you?"
"No."
"Did your friends say anything thing?" Anthony asked. Jack thought back to Bridge asking him about being abused.
"Yes. Bridge was the one asked me about he abuse but I denied it. Bridge knew but he couldn't help me."
"Why did you quite baseball?"
"I quit because my coach replaced me as the captain of the team. I felt left out so I gave up."
"Do you remember the night you were attacked?"
"Yes I do."
"Are you able to tell us what happened?"
"Yes. I came home late and found my father sitting at the kitchen table. He said that I disobeyed him and I'd be punished for it. That's when he began whaling on me." Jack said fighting back his tears losing the battle as the tears began to slowly seep down his cheeks. He had to take a moment to gather himself before continuing. "Uh. He punched me in my face, kicked me in my stomach several times, then I saw him reach for my baseball bat and then without even thinking twice he connected with my head. I was dazed but then I felt another blow to my head which knocked me out." Jack said as the tears seeped down his cheeks. Aisha sobbed even harder on Rocky's shoulder. Z and Syd held their mouths. Sky, Bridge, Andy and Boom all frowned. Danny and Kendall shook their heads. The jury members all had shocked looks on their face. Jack wiped the tears from his face then continued. "The next I know I wake up in the hospital bed. My leg was broken and my ribs were broken."
"Thank you Jack." Anthony said handing him some tissue. Jack wiped his face. "No further questions your honor." Anthony sat back in his seat. Tanya felt bad her nephew having to sit up on the stand and tell his story. Adam, Katie and James all felt bad for Jack having to go through the abuse and then talk about it.
"Jack, was your mother aware of the abuse?" Milton said.
"No."
"Isn't it true that your mother wasn't there for and that she contributed to the abuse?"
"Look, my mother wasn't responsible for my being abused. She hasn't been there me in a long time but she certainly didn't abuse me." Jack said defending his mother.
"Jack you're father is hard working man, do you think that maybe you somehow contributed to the abuse?" Milton asked earning groans from the entire court including the judge.
"You don't seriously think I deserved to be beaten?" Jack asked angrily.
"I'm not saying you deserved to be hit. I'm simply stating…." Milton said before he's cut off by Jack.
"Look Mr. Roberson, I didn't deserve to be abused. I didn't deserve to be beaten to near death. He should've controlled his self. I'm his son. He didn't have to do this to me." Jack yelled crying.
"No further questions your honor."
"You may step down." Said Judge Kindler. Jack steps down from the witness stand and heads back over to the seat with his family and friends. Aisha took Jack's hand in hers. Feeling bad for her older son. "Does the prosecution have any more witness?"
"The prosecution rests your honor." Anthony said.
"Does the defense have any witnesses?"
"Yes your honor. As reluctant as I am to call this witness, I call John Landors to the stand." Milton said shaking his head. John stood up and headed over to the witness stand. He was sworn in and then takes his seat. "You've heard the other testimonies including that of your own son, how do you feel about what you heard today?"
"It annoyed me."
"Did you attack your son?"
"No I didn't. I told the police this and they didn't believe me." John said confidently.
"Where were you the night your son was attacked?"
"I was in Houston at the time. It wasn't until I got back when I found out that my son was in the hospital."
"Detective Winters testified to the fact you left Houston, Texas that same day and would've made it home in time to commit the crime."
"Detective Winters is a liar." John nastily earning groans from everyone in the court room.
"No further questions your honor." Milton said not really sure what else to ask him.
Anthony sat there with Tanya watching him disgusted.
"Mr. Landors, you told the police that you had nothing to do with your son's attack isn't that right?"
"Yes."
"Do you love Jack?"
"Of curse I do."
"Really??" Anthony asked sarcastically. "Didn't you admit to the police that you smacked Jack in his face after a baseball game only confirming Mr. Carson's testimony?" John smirked evilly.
"Yes."
"Have you ever abused Jack?"
"No." John said lying.
"You've never beat on Jack?" Anthony asked more firmly.
"No I didn't." John defended.
"You lied to the police about that didn't you?"
"No I didn't lie to the police."
"Really. Mr. Carson testified that he saw you smack Jack across his face after a game not once but twice. Was Mr. Carson lying?"
"Yes he was. I never smacked Jack at all.
"You lied about the fact that you were in Texas at the time of your son's attack."
"I didn't lie about that. I was in Texas." John defended himself.
"I have in my hand a letter from the airport confirming the time that your plane left Houston to the time it landed in New Tech City. Your plane left Houston at 11am the same morning Jack was attacked and you're plane arrived in New Tech City at 4pm. That gave you plenty of time to commit the crime. Isn't right?" Anthony asked yelling. John didn't respond. "Your silence only confirms it. I could see how this all played out. Your ex-wife Aisha Campbell gave birth to a son name Jacob Landors. You resented her for that didn't you?"
"No." John yelled.
"No." Anthony yelled back. "Isn't it a fact that you started having an affair with your secretary?"
"Yes but…"
"Your ex testified to the fact that you resented her for the affairs and you blamed Jack for existing. Isn't that right?"
"No."
"When she divorced you, you didn't give a damn did you?"
"No." John said seething. He was getting angrier by the second.
"When she got custody of James and you got custody of Jack, that pissed you off didn't it?"
"No."
"It pissed you off so much that you began drinking and shortly after you began abusing Jack isn't that right?"
"No."
"Sure you did. You blamed Jack for the screw up in your life so you made him pay didn't you?"
"Yes." John said.
"Jack disobeyed you and you made him pay." Anthony said as everyone in the court room looked on, John nodded angrily. "That's why when you got home after your trip from Houston, you waited for Jack to come home. When he came home you beat him to near death." Anthony said as John nodded.
"You damn right." John said.
"You beat him and it felt good didn't it?"
"You damn right I did." John yelled. "I told him not to leave the house and what does he do? He goes over to his mother's house for the week I was gone. When I got home, he wasn't there. So I waited and then I made his ass pay." John yelled.
"How did you make him pay?"
"I bashed his brains in." John yelled admitting to attempted murder. Everyone in the court room watched him. John realized he had incriminated himself.
"One more question. You don't love Jack do you?"
"I hate him." John said angrily. "I resented him. I still do."
"He's your son. You were suppose to protect him, not try to kill him." Anthony said as John looked at him angrily. Jack let the tears fall down his face. "Look at him." Anthony said as John stared into the eyes of the young man he helped give life to and almost took it from him. Jack didn't hide his tears. He was heart broken. How could his father say that about him? "It wasn't his fault that he was born no more than it's your fault that you were born. No further questions." Anthony said walking back to his seat. Z, Sky, Syd, Bridge Boom, Andy, James, Rocky, Aisha, Tanya, Katie and Andy all felt for Jack. His father just admitted to trying to kill him. They wondered if Jack would be ok.
"You may step down." Said Judge Kindler. John left the witness stand and headed for his seat. Does the defense have any more witnesses?"
"Defense rests at this time your honor." Milton said rubbing his forehead.
"At this time, I would like to ask the jury to retire to the jury to deliberate. You have an hour." Judge Kindler said as the jury left the court room to deliberate the case.
Outside of the courtroom, Anthony told Jack that he did an excellent job in letting the jury know what happened and that Aisha's testimony showed the jury what kind of man John really is. Rocky added that he sealed his own fate by testifying. Bridge and the others watched as Jack stared out the window. Adam went over to him to try comforting his nephew but Jack told him he just wanted to be alone. Aisha knew what he was feeling and felt even worst. Having heard John admit that he never loved Jack pained her. The hurt in Jack's eyes not the mention the tears pouring from his face made her feel guilty. Not having the love of both parents often hurts a person. She went over to him to rub his shoulders but Jack moved away. Despite holding her hand in the court room, he still hadn't quite forgiven her yet.
The jury only debated the case for a half hour. They didn't need an hour. They had all the evidence they needed. Everyone returned to court room and sat back in their seats. The judge returned to her seat as well.
"Has the jury reached a verdict on this case?" Asked Judge Kindler.
"We have your honor." Said the first juror.
"Will the defendant please rise." Judge Kindler asks as Milton and John both stand to their feet. "On the first count of assault with a deadly weapon, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty your honor." The first juror read.
"On the second count of assault with a deadly weapon, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty your honor."
"On the third count of assault with a deadly weapon, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On first count of child endangerment, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
Jack cried as the verdict was read. He realized that his father is going away for a very long time. John meanwhile realized the same thing Jack did and knew he was going to spend a long time in prison.
"On the second count of child endangerment, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"And on the sole count of attempted murder in the second degree, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty your honor."
"Thank you. The city of New Tech thanks you for you great service. You may be excused." Judge Kindler said as the jurors were escorted out of the court room. Everyone else remained. "Mr. Landors, I'm not done with you yet. What I heard from you was absolutely disturbing. You helped bring that young man Jack Landors into this world only to try and remove him from it. How dare you do this to your own son? Your own flesh and blood? How could you try and destroy a life you helped create?" Judge Kindler said laying into John as the rest of the court room watched. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" John said nothing. "Fine. Here's what I'm going to do, I'm going to do what should've been done to begin with. I'm placing Jack into the custody of his mother Aisha Campbell and I'm ordering that John turn over all financial assets to her as well. As for your sentence Mr. Landors. I hear by sentence you to twenty five years in prison without the possibility of parole. Courts adjourned.
Tanya hugged Jack. James hugged his mother. Rocky gave Jack a big hug. He told Jack not to worry about John and that he loved him like a son. Z, Sky, Syd, Bridge, Boom and Andy all breathed a sigh of relief. They each hugged Jack. Jack thanked them for being there him. Katie gave her cousin a hug and told him that whenever he needed her all he had to do was call. Jack smiled. Adam thanked Danny and Kendall for being in court and supporting Jack. Danny said that he likes Jack a lot and was glad to help.
Anthony drew up the paper work to have John sign over all his financial assets to Aisha and custody of Jack to her. Having nearly $800,000 dollars in his account, John won't need it but Aisha will. Aisha sold John's car and his house after cleaning it out. She took Jack and James shopping. Jack can sleep easier now knowing that his father is in prison for a long time. Question is will he forgive his mother?
To be continued!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next Chapter Entitled "Therapy Session: Now that his father is behind bars, Jack must come to terms with the way his father feels about him. He still lashes out at Aisha and this causes her to reach out for counseling for Jack. With the therapy sessions work?