It was the morning of Doc's trial and the skies opened to a heavy rain, which corresponded the mood in the jail house. Matt and Festus were equally angry at the lack of progress they made in trying to find the mystery person that was in Tobias and Sarah Williamson's farm house.
Matt spent over an hour talking to Sarah last night and he found out nothing other than she felt terrible that Doc was the one she said she believed murdered her husband. Even when Matt pressed for answers about the two cowboys she merely suggested that Tobias was the only one that dealt with farm hands - she only fed them and usually knew very little about their backgrounds. Matt pursed his lips as he realized again that Tobias was the one that ran the farm the way he wanted.
Matt even talked to the young cow hands in the Bull's Head Saloon, about what their involvement was with the Williamson's and both confirmed they were looking to make a little extra money and Tobias hired them to mend his fences. Matt's question about how they got along with the farmer was answered with mixed feelings which was what he expected. Tobias was a firm upper hand and didn't like shoddy workmanship. Yet, there was something about the two young men he didn't like and he couldn't put his finger on it.
Now in the jail house and the trial was to begin later in the morning. Matt drew a deep breath and looked over to the table where Brian Taylor and Kitty Russell sat. Kitty noted the look on Matt's face, "It doesn't look good for Doc, does it Matt?"
Matt shook his head no, "No, Kitty it doesn't. Not unless Sarah has a different story to tell under oath or someone finally steps forward to confess that they were at the house that night before Doc got there."
Brian stood, "I'll do what I can to sway the jury. Doc's reputation alone has it going for him and just because we still haven't found the mystery person, I can plea for either it insufficient evidence to extend the trial, or a lesser sentence. That is all deciding on which way the jury votes and what the judge has to say." Brian looked over to Kitty who looked none-too-impressed at her lawyer friend. "Sorry Kitty. I can't make witnesses or new evidence appear from thin air."
Matt made a face, "By the time this is over, Doc's reputation might be in the mud." The marshal's tone was cold, and everyone in the room knew what he ment.
"Brian, there has to be more that you can do..." Kitty stood and looked at her lawyer friend.
"Kitty, as the Marshal said, unless someone steps forward..." his voice trailed off as he looked over to the deputy. Festus' hazel eyes seemed darker than normal and his breathing was corse as he tried to imagine what was going to happen in the courtroom, "They cain't find ol Doc guilty...ifin he said someone else was there, then he means it."
Kitty walked next to Festus and rubbed her hand across his shoulders, "I know Festus. I can't visualize what Dodge would be like without Doc either."
Matt had enough, "Look you two. The trial starts in an hour. We have to think of a strategy for Doc's trial, and Brian, I expect that you will lead us on this."
Brian nodded, "Of course Marshal."
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Reluctantly Matt and Festus walked Doc up Front Street to the town hall where the trial was about to begin. None of the men had the courage to say anything and the only sound as the walked was from Festus' big Texan spurs and the shackles that the judge told Matt he had to use on the prisoner. Matt hated himself more and more with every step toward the hall.
Matt stopped about twenty feet from the door and looked down at Doc, "Sorry about all this. It wasn't my doing," the marshal's eyes looked at the chains that hung from Doc's wrists. "I know Matt. You're just doing your job..." Doc's voice was flat and held a tome of irritation - perhaps he was trying to get a dig into the marshal about not finding the missing person. Matt gently took Doc by the arm and lead him to the hall. Festus slowly followed and muttered to himself all the way.
Matt and Doc took the few steps up into the hall which was bursting with citizens from near and afar. As Matt lead Doc to the impromptu prisoner's box, he and Doc looked around the room. There were many familiar faces and many neither man recognized. Once at the box Matt took the key from his vest pocket and uncuffed the shackles on Doc's wrist and then took his seat next to Kitty. Brian Taylor moved over to the box and whispered into Doc's ear and Doc nodded. Brian placed his hand on Doc's shoulder and squeezed lightly then returned to his table and took his seat.
The room was a drone of whispers, talkers and gawlers. Doc nervously looked around and his mind was spinning as he tried to tell himself that he was just having a bad dream and none of this was really taking place. Doc's attention was snapped back to reality when the Bailiff asked everyone to rise, "All rise. This court is in session with Judge Campbell presiding." The room quickly fell to a numbing hush. Doc could hear his heart pounding in his chest as Judge Campbell looked in his direction, "Defendant Galen Adams, please rise."
Doc slowly stood and looked at the judge.
"You have been arrested and charged for the murder of Tobias Williamson. How do you plea?"
Doc cleared his throat, "Not guilty, your Honour."
"Very well, please be seated," the judge ordered and Doc sat down.
"Before we begin this trail, I will instruct all those who may be called upon to testify that they will be under oath and that should anyone lies, while under oath will be found in contempt of this court. That goes for the jury as well," Campbell looked around the room before hitting the gavel on the block of wood. "This court is now in session."
Doc was certain that the whole room heard him swallow as he realized that there was no turning back and his future lay in the hands of the twelve men that sat to the side of the room and to his friends who vowed to find the missing person. Doc uttered a small prayer under his breath and hoped that a guardian angel would lift it to fly to be caught by someone who could help him and his friends find a way out of this mess.