Chapter Thirty-Four
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI
"Would the defendant please state his name for the record?" the judge said.
"I am Roger Gilbert, I'm 27."
"Now Mr. Gilbert, why do you have a different last name than the other siblings present and your mom?"
"My mom didn't believe in marriage, she just wanted sperm donors, lots of children and no fathers to take care of them"
The prelim continued with basic questions by the defence regarding his upbringing and how he got along with his siblings.
"You are here because you are accused of burning down your sister's apartment and abuse and other such charges. Is it true you mom directed you to do that?"
Roger looked directly at his older sister. "Yes it is true. My sister is nothing more than a woman. She should be marrying a man her male siblings chose for her. She should be cooking cleaning and that kind of stuff. She should not have the vote nor should she have any kind of freedom." He said.
"Uh Mr. Gilbert you are being a little unreasonable. You certainly don't expect a woman to cater to your every whim and need at the snap of a finger" asked the prosecution.
"I certainly do. My woman knows whose boss. She knows she has no rights as a person. Love, honour and obey." Roger said.
"What was your part in the beating of your sister Dana and her boyfriend?"
"She was disobeying the rules. She's a lowly kid and we do not allow consorting with boys at her age. She disobeyed and began living in the dorms. But when she was caught alone with this boy. We knew we had to act"
"By beating her & the boy up and violating her?"
"I never violated her" replied Roger. "that was not part of the plan"
"I call a surprise witness to the stand. Kathleen Gilbert."
Roger suddenly turned a deep dark violent red as he saw his wife being brought into the court room.
"Mr. Gilbert stay seated or you will be thrown in jail for contempt" the judge warned.
"Ms. Gilbert, please state your name for the record."
"Kathleen Gilbert." She said timidly.
"You are married to Roger?"
"Yes I am and it has been the most horrible two years of my entire life" she said.
"Kathleen I am warning you"
Kathleen turned to Roger. "You have hurt me for the last time. Your honour. I met him while at University. I was studying for my masters degree and I fell in love. Well love is blind, deaf and dumb. Because when I married him. He refused to let me finish my studies. I was over come with love for this man and I figured that I could go back eventually, after we got settled in our new home. That never happened. He kept me pregnant, often forcing himself on me. He works a job as a mechanic 16 hours a day and NEVER helps me with our children. I am 27 years old with five children under the age of five. And 8 1/12 months pregnant!"
"Keep 'em pregnant that's my rule" Roger sneered.
"Thank you Ms. Gilbert, you may step down."
Then the unthinkable happened. As Kathleen walked passed Roger, he stuck his foot out and deliberately tripped her causing her to fall hard. There was a horrific gasp in the gallery as all that was heard was Kathleen's screams and massive blood loss.
Kathleen was taken to the hospital and the judge adjourned the prelim.
When it was reconvened a few hours later, Roger had more to add.
"Ok we're back and Mr. Gilbert you owe this court an apology! "
"Never happen. That woman disgraced herself by flapping her gums and talking negative about me"
The prelim continued and Roger was remanded into custody until his trial.
"Officers take him to his cell, you are to stay in jail until your trial in two weeks."
The judge looked at the gallery after Roger was taken away. "That much violence I don't think he deserves bail. Who knows what he's capable of next!"
"Ok Richard Gilbert please take the stand."