CHAPTER 7 - THE TRIAL

Kacey sat at the defence table next to Billy, the Cook County Courthouse was packed with curious people - some supported Kacey and some didn't. Roxie and Velma were sitting the front row of the public gallery,earlier on they had come to wish Kacey good luck.

"Kacey Fizelle, you have been charged with the murder of James Smith, are you guilty or not guilty?" said the judge.

"Not Guilty!" Kacey said firmly.

The trial went by in a whirl,witnesses were called and Kacey marvelled at how skilled Billy was as a lawyer. Kacey was called to the stand to be interrogated by Harrison.

"Miss Fizelle,can you tell me what happened the night Mr. Smith was murdered?"

"I took a walk down the corridoors 'cause I couldn't sleep. Suddenly I was grabbed from behind by Mr. Smith and dragged into his room. He hit me and I fell to the floor, he started kissing me roughly and I saw a gun on the floor - fearing what he might do next and scared for my life I shot him."

"Really? If this is true then why didn't you tell me when you were arrested!?"

"Because I was too confused."

"Not confused enough to say you didn't do it and tell me and everybody else that you were startled by the shots and found Mr. Smith dead!"

"I object! Mr. Harrison is trying to turn my cliant's terrible experiance into some sort of joke!"

"You're Honor, I am mearly trying to understand why Mis Fizelle has given two different stories."

"I'll allow it!"

"Thank you - now, Miss Fizelle, which is the truth because I find it odd that you gave two different stories."

"I told you,I was attacked, I thaught he was going to rape and kill me - he looked like a mad man, I was so scared and I didn't tell anyone for a while because I felt ashamed, but I found Mr. Flynn trusting and he told me to tell everyone the truth!" She burst into tears. Billy looked at her in admiration, that kid was good - she made what he'd told her to say sound so convincing, and the tears - just brilliant!

"You're Honor, as my cliant is in a state, could Mr. Harrison hurry up with his interrogating."

"I'm almost done you're Honor. I dont believe a word of that story, if any of it was true then there would have been some evidence - you are a liar!"

Kacey cried harder. "It's true! I'm not lying!"

"No further questions."

The moment Kacey was dreading came too soon.

"Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict!?"

"We have you're Honor."

"Will the defendant please rise!"

"The jury find the defendant Kacey Fizelle..."

"Not guilty." Billy wispered under his breath.

"GUILTY!"

Gasps of horror were audible around the courtroom.

"WHAT!? This has gotta be a mistake!" Billy shouted. The judge just ignored him.

"There is only one sentance I can give for murder and that is death!"

Tears ran down Kacey's face. "No please - I didn't do it!"

"She's just a kid!" Roxie shouted.

"Ya can't hang a kid, c'mon please you're Honor have mercy on her, she's too young to die!" Velma pleaded.

"As her lawyer I demand the right to make an appeal!" Billy was furious.

The judge took no notice of the outbursts around him. "Kacey Fizelle, you have been sentanced to death, you're exicution will take place one week today. gaurds take her back to the Cook County Jail!"