Chapter 10
Two months later, it was Thanksgiving week. For the first time in ages, the extended family was going to gather together for a traditional supper of turkey with the trimmings at the Camden place. Annie and Lucy had been planning the meal for weeks, and were spending Wednesday morning putting together the various courses together and storing them in the refrigerator for cooking the next morning, bright and early at six am.
Chandler and Roxanne were invited over to join the Camdens for the meal, but they declined as his brother Sid had invited them over to his apartment in New York City along with his and Chandler's father, who was still in remission. They were going to have a rather unorthodox meal for turkey day: Porterhouse steaks with fettuccine and Caesar salad. Roxie didn't mind; she was actually looking forward to having something other than poultry for a change.
Mary and Robbie flew in from Fort Lauderdale via Las Vegas, arriving at Glen Oak almost at the same moment as Simon and Deena's flight from Nashville, also via Las Vegas. After hugs all around, they drove down to the courthouse. Lucy and quite a few of Frank Henderson's other victims, along with an impatient press corps and curious onlookers, jammed into the biggest courtroom available. It normally sat 300, but almost 500 were crammed shoulder to shoulder as Henderson, wearing a business suit, walked into the courtroom flanked by his legal defense crew.
When the bailiff called the court to order, all 500 spectators rose along with the District Attorney and his assistants, and the defense. The judge assigned to the case - the chief judge for the county, in fact - slowly stepped in with a portfolio in her arm, and waved the crowd to sit down. She was a widow in her early fifties but already with silver grey hair, a mother of three adult children. She was known for being rather lenient in sentencing and was very critical of federal drug enforcement policies that often tied her hands. Nevertheless, lawyers on both sides of the aisle also respected her because she was extremely fair. She always allowed defense attorneys great latitude in representing their clients, but refused to allow her courtroom to become a circus or to let counsels on either side run the show.
She had a clear memory of one notorious case, which had garnered national attention. Although she never questioned the ultimate result (having concluded the jurors had followed instructions and had reviewed the evidence fairly), she was furious the judge had allowed letting things get so out of control from day one. She vowed it would never happen in her chambers - especially not now.
"Will the defendant please rise?" she was now asking.
Henderson rose from his chair, and faced the dais on which the judge was sitting.
"Frank Henderson, you have been indicted on 36 counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, 27 counts of statutory rape, 47 of official misconduct, 14 of possession of indecent materials, 5 counts of spousal assault, and 1 count of sexual assault with a deadly weapon. Do you understand the charges as laid forth in the indictments?"
"I do, Your Honor," said Henderson.
"As to the counts, how do you plead to count one?"
"As to all counts, I plead not guilty - by reason of insanity."
There were shouts of outrage from the gallery. The judge slammed her gavel on the stand repeatedly.
"If there is not quiet in this courtroom," she shouted, "I will clear the gallery of everyone except members of the press!" It took a minute, but the room eventually settled down. She now looked down at the defendant.
"You're pleading - insanity?" The chief judge was as stunned as the crowd was outraged.
"Yes, Your Honor, he is," said his lead attorney, now speaking for his client. "It is our intention to argue that he was so traumatized by his father in youth that he now is simply incapable of discerning between right and wrong when it comes to matters of sex."
"The last time I recall, Counsel," said the judge, "nymphomania was not a recognized illness in the DSM-IV-TR." She was referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition, Text Revision - widely considered the shrink's Bible. Every judge and lawyer had a copy on his or her shelf, too - as did many other people who just wanted an interesting reference tome in their collection. Many ministers also had one in their libraries - Eric took its findings seriously; and even Lucy had referred to her father's copy at least once a week during her first year at the pulpit, not surprising, she admitted, since she dealt with all sorts of people as a minister.
"That is correct, Your Honor, it doesn't. Nor is it in the draft version of its anticipated replacement, the DSM-V." conceded the lawyer. "The term the DSM has used since IIIR is 'sexual addiction.' But we intend to prove it IS a mental disorder. After all, being gay was once considered a mental disease in the DSM, not anymore; ditto with post-partum depression, which is now considered a medical condition. Battered wife's syndrome was once laughed at, but it is in the DSM now."
"You're actually expecting a jury to believe that your client acted on instinct rather than free will?"
"No," said Henderson in a calm but deadly serious voice, "I'm asking YOU to believe that, Madam Chief Judge, because no jury ever will. I waive my right to a jury under Article Three Section Two, and Amendment Six, of the United States Constitution and request trial by judge alone."
The judge wasn't sure what to make of that. However, he had certainly caught her attention, as well as everyone else in the courtroom, for now one could hear a pin fall. Since he had pleaded insanity, however, she had a duty to act on that issue first.
"The defendant is remanded into custody for a period of 45 days, in order that a thorough psychiatric evaluation may be conducted by physicians acting for both the State and the Defense. The release bond of $1000 is returned to his surety, Sharon Peterson. Court stands adjourned until January the 9th, when I will entertain opening statements and enter the results of the examinations into the record. I remind counsels for both sides about the rules of disclosure and discovery - I will not suffer a finding of jeopardy or mistrial under any circumstances. Happy Thanksgiving, ladies and gentlemen."
"Happy Thanksgiving, Your Honor," murmured the lawyers.
There was a rush out of the courtroom as the judge hit her gavel. The convoy of cars taking the Camdens and their guests back to the parsonage was subdued. Matt and Sarah, who had taken a mid-day flight in but had missed the hearing, met them there. They, too, were surprised by the sudden turn of events.
By general agreement, everyone decided not to talk about anything even remotely related to the case over the four-day weekend so the group could enjoy time as family and friends. The next day, the group gathered around the table at about five in the afternoon. Annie and Eric flanked opposite ends of the extended table. On one side sat Lucy, Kevin, Jennifer, Charles, Simon, Deena, Richard, Rosina, Ginger and George. On the other side were Matt, Sarah, Mary, Robbie, Sam, David, Ruthie, Peter, Paris, Ruth and the Colonel.
There was one extra place setting, always left in case a homeless person sought food and shelter for the night at the parsonage. While many ministers' families had long followed the custom, the Camdens introduced the tradition only in the year Sam and David were born. Lucy liked this ritual best of all, and knew the origins behind it. It was a common misconception that there were 150 chairs at the Round Table of King Arthur - one for each of the knights. In fact, there were 151, the last chair always reserved for the Holy Grail.
Over the next three hours, the group thoroughly enjoyed themselves and an incredible six-course meal. As the dishes were finally gathered up, Simon rose from his place.
"Um, ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I think this might be as good a time as any to make an announcement. Four days ago, I asked for Deena's hand in marriage and I am happy to say that she accepted. In fact, with both her parents present, we eloped two nights ago in Las Vegas."
As Deena got up from her place and kissed Simon, showing off her diamond engagement and wedding rings, the group applauded, except for Eric and Annie.
"Well, son," said Eric, "congratulations, but you should have waited for us to be there."
"Maybe, Eric," admitted Annie, "but I think this was a long time in coming. I'm so glad you finally found each other again."
"I'm glad we did, Annie," Deena told her new mother-in-law. "Oh, and for the record, we've agreed that I'm keeping my name - but our children will have Simon's."
"I'm just surprised both your parents would've been there, Ms Stewart," said Paris. "From what Ruthie told me, your parents' divorce wasn't pleasant and they couldn't stand the sight of each other."
"Mom and Dad may not be together anymore, Ms Petrovsky," replied Deena, "but they're still friends, and they retained joint custody even after they split up. If they both hadn't been there for my big night, I don't know if I could have lived with myself."
"Well, since we're making announcements," said Mary, rising from her chair, "I have to tell you that Robbie and I eloped last night, too - in fact, we had a double ceremony with Simon and Deena."
She reached into her purse, and for the first time everyone noticed her double rings, too. The picture showed two brides in full wedding regalia and two grooms in tuxedos, all four arm-in-arms.
Eric and Annie looked at each other. It was bad enough they were excluded from one of their children's weddings - but two? The other siblings were feeling miffed that they were left out too. The remaining guests remained quiet but each thought it would have been just plain common courtesy to invite the rest of the family.
"Is there something you're not telling us?" Ruthie finally asked.
"Deena and I - well, we're both pregnant," Mary said.
"She's two months along, and so am I," added Deena.
At that precise moment, Lucy's unborn baby - at twenty weeks - kicked inside of her for the very first time as if giving a twenty-one gun salute to his or her new cousins-to-be.
Two months later, it was Thanksgiving week. For the first time in ages, the extended family was going to gather together for a traditional supper of turkey with the trimmings at the Camden place. Annie and Lucy had been planning the meal for weeks, and were spending Wednesday morning putting together the various courses together and storing them in the refrigerator for cooking the next morning, bright and early at six am.
Chandler and Roxanne were invited over to join the Camdens for the meal, but they declined as his brother Sid had invited them over to his apartment in New York City along with his and Chandler's father, who was still in remission. They were going to have a rather unorthodox meal for turkey day: Porterhouse steaks with fettuccine and Caesar salad. Roxie didn't mind; she was actually looking forward to having something other than poultry for a change.
Mary and Robbie flew in from Fort Lauderdale via Las Vegas, arriving at Glen Oak almost at the same moment as Simon and Deena's flight from Nashville, also via Las Vegas. After hugs all around, they drove down to the courthouse. Lucy and quite a few of Frank Henderson's other victims, along with an impatient press corps and curious onlookers, jammed into the biggest courtroom available. It normally sat 300, but almost 500 were crammed shoulder to shoulder as Henderson, wearing a business suit, walked into the courtroom flanked by his legal defense crew.
When the bailiff called the court to order, all 500 spectators rose along with the District Attorney and his assistants, and the defense. The judge assigned to the case - the chief judge for the county, in fact - slowly stepped in with a portfolio in her arm, and waved the crowd to sit down. She was a widow in her early fifties but already with silver grey hair, a mother of three adult children. She was known for being rather lenient in sentencing and was very critical of federal drug enforcement policies that often tied her hands. Nevertheless, lawyers on both sides of the aisle also respected her because she was extremely fair. She always allowed defense attorneys great latitude in representing their clients, but refused to allow her courtroom to become a circus or to let counsels on either side run the show.
She had a clear memory of one notorious case, which had garnered national attention. Although she never questioned the ultimate result (having concluded the jurors had followed instructions and had reviewed the evidence fairly), she was furious the judge had allowed letting things get so out of control from day one. She vowed it would never happen in her chambers - especially not now.
"Will the defendant please rise?" she was now asking.
Henderson rose from his chair, and faced the dais on which the judge was sitting.
"Frank Henderson, you have been indicted on 36 counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, 27 counts of statutory rape, 47 of official misconduct, 14 of possession of indecent materials, 5 counts of spousal assault, and 1 count of sexual assault with a deadly weapon. Do you understand the charges as laid forth in the indictments?"
"I do, Your Honor," said Henderson.
"As to the counts, how do you plead to count one?"
"As to all counts, I plead not guilty - by reason of insanity."
There were shouts of outrage from the gallery. The judge slammed her gavel on the stand repeatedly.
"If there is not quiet in this courtroom," she shouted, "I will clear the gallery of everyone except members of the press!" It took a minute, but the room eventually settled down. She now looked down at the defendant.
"You're pleading - insanity?" The chief judge was as stunned as the crowd was outraged.
"Yes, Your Honor, he is," said his lead attorney, now speaking for his client. "It is our intention to argue that he was so traumatized by his father in youth that he now is simply incapable of discerning between right and wrong when it comes to matters of sex."
"The last time I recall, Counsel," said the judge, "nymphomania was not a recognized illness in the DSM-IV-TR." She was referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition, Text Revision - widely considered the shrink's Bible. Every judge and lawyer had a copy on his or her shelf, too - as did many other people who just wanted an interesting reference tome in their collection. Many ministers also had one in their libraries - Eric took its findings seriously; and even Lucy had referred to her father's copy at least once a week during her first year at the pulpit, not surprising, she admitted, since she dealt with all sorts of people as a minister.
"That is correct, Your Honor, it doesn't. Nor is it in the draft version of its anticipated replacement, the DSM-V." conceded the lawyer. "The term the DSM has used since IIIR is 'sexual addiction.' But we intend to prove it IS a mental disorder. After all, being gay was once considered a mental disease in the DSM, not anymore; ditto with post-partum depression, which is now considered a medical condition. Battered wife's syndrome was once laughed at, but it is in the DSM now."
"You're actually expecting a jury to believe that your client acted on instinct rather than free will?"
"No," said Henderson in a calm but deadly serious voice, "I'm asking YOU to believe that, Madam Chief Judge, because no jury ever will. I waive my right to a jury under Article Three Section Two, and Amendment Six, of the United States Constitution and request trial by judge alone."
The judge wasn't sure what to make of that. However, he had certainly caught her attention, as well as everyone else in the courtroom, for now one could hear a pin fall. Since he had pleaded insanity, however, she had a duty to act on that issue first.
"The defendant is remanded into custody for a period of 45 days, in order that a thorough psychiatric evaluation may be conducted by physicians acting for both the State and the Defense. The release bond of $1000 is returned to his surety, Sharon Peterson. Court stands adjourned until January the 9th, when I will entertain opening statements and enter the results of the examinations into the record. I remind counsels for both sides about the rules of disclosure and discovery - I will not suffer a finding of jeopardy or mistrial under any circumstances. Happy Thanksgiving, ladies and gentlemen."
"Happy Thanksgiving, Your Honor," murmured the lawyers.
There was a rush out of the courtroom as the judge hit her gavel. The convoy of cars taking the Camdens and their guests back to the parsonage was subdued. Matt and Sarah, who had taken a mid-day flight in but had missed the hearing, met them there. They, too, were surprised by the sudden turn of events.
By general agreement, everyone decided not to talk about anything even remotely related to the case over the four-day weekend so the group could enjoy time as family and friends. The next day, the group gathered around the table at about five in the afternoon. Annie and Eric flanked opposite ends of the extended table. On one side sat Lucy, Kevin, Jennifer, Charles, Simon, Deena, Richard, Rosina, Ginger and George. On the other side were Matt, Sarah, Mary, Robbie, Sam, David, Ruthie, Peter, Paris, Ruth and the Colonel.
There was one extra place setting, always left in case a homeless person sought food and shelter for the night at the parsonage. While many ministers' families had long followed the custom, the Camdens introduced the tradition only in the year Sam and David were born. Lucy liked this ritual best of all, and knew the origins behind it. It was a common misconception that there were 150 chairs at the Round Table of King Arthur - one for each of the knights. In fact, there were 151, the last chair always reserved for the Holy Grail.
Over the next three hours, the group thoroughly enjoyed themselves and an incredible six-course meal. As the dishes were finally gathered up, Simon rose from his place.
"Um, ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I think this might be as good a time as any to make an announcement. Four days ago, I asked for Deena's hand in marriage and I am happy to say that she accepted. In fact, with both her parents present, we eloped two nights ago in Las Vegas."
As Deena got up from her place and kissed Simon, showing off her diamond engagement and wedding rings, the group applauded, except for Eric and Annie.
"Well, son," said Eric, "congratulations, but you should have waited for us to be there."
"Maybe, Eric," admitted Annie, "but I think this was a long time in coming. I'm so glad you finally found each other again."
"I'm glad we did, Annie," Deena told her new mother-in-law. "Oh, and for the record, we've agreed that I'm keeping my name - but our children will have Simon's."
"I'm just surprised both your parents would've been there, Ms Stewart," said Paris. "From what Ruthie told me, your parents' divorce wasn't pleasant and they couldn't stand the sight of each other."
"Mom and Dad may not be together anymore, Ms Petrovsky," replied Deena, "but they're still friends, and they retained joint custody even after they split up. If they both hadn't been there for my big night, I don't know if I could have lived with myself."
"Well, since we're making announcements," said Mary, rising from her chair, "I have to tell you that Robbie and I eloped last night, too - in fact, we had a double ceremony with Simon and Deena."
She reached into her purse, and for the first time everyone noticed her double rings, too. The picture showed two brides in full wedding regalia and two grooms in tuxedos, all four arm-in-arms.
Eric and Annie looked at each other. It was bad enough they were excluded from one of their children's weddings - but two? The other siblings were feeling miffed that they were left out too. The remaining guests remained quiet but each thought it would have been just plain common courtesy to invite the rest of the family.
"Is there something you're not telling us?" Ruthie finally asked.
"Deena and I - well, we're both pregnant," Mary said.
"She's two months along, and so am I," added Deena.
At that precise moment, Lucy's unborn baby - at twenty weeks - kicked inside of her for the very first time as if giving a twenty-one gun salute to his or her new cousins-to-be.