5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 5
Before Wes even made it to the witness stand, Mr. Jones was objecting since Wes wasn't on the witness listed so he didn't have time to prepare. Judge Watkins noted the objection to the record, yet pointed out neither had Miss Strauss. Mr. Jones countered with the fact Wes was there, yet Miss Strauss informed him that Wes was there as moral support. Out of the corner of his eyes, Mr. Jones saw Kurt was about to speak, but managed to keep him quiet After swearing Wes in, Judge Watkins address the lawyers once again. "Given the nature of this situation, I will be questioning Mr. Montgomery, yet you will each have an opportunity to question him once I'm finished. Though, any questions must be kept on topic." Once the lawyers confirmed their understanding, Judge Watkins turned his focus to Wes. "Now Mr. Montgomery, will you please tell us what brought you to court today so it's on the record?"
"Santana, Miss Lopez, called me after being contacted to speak today." Wes said in response. "Given the nature of this hearing, she wanted some moral support which her significant other wasn't in a place to give."
"Why is that Mr. Montgomery?" Judge Watkins asked, causing Wes to look directly at Santana who nodded.
"Her girlfriend is a reporter, which would've put her in an awkward position. By not being here, it allowed her to avoid any conflict of interest on the matter." Wes told him.
"So you were her first choice after her girlfriend."
"No, her first choice would've been Sebastian Anderson-Smythe, but since he's involved, you can understand why she called me." A subtle scoff came from Kurt's side of the room, but Mr. Jones quieted him before Judge Watkins reacted.
"I do." Judge Watkins replied once he turned his attention back to Wes. "Now, are you familiar with the proceedings?"
"I am, as the Anderson-Smythes are close friends of mine."
"How long have you known them?"
"I've known Blaine for a little more than twelve years, and Sebastian for approximately eight." Wes said in response.
"Now that we know how/why you're here, it's time to move onto the issue at hand, Mr. Hummel's social media comments while the Anderson-Smythes were in Paris. Given the nature of these proceedings, my questions for Mr. Montgomery will cover a broader spectrum." Judge Watkins stated, so they weren't thrown by what he was going to ask. "How soon after the comments were made, were you aware they existed?"
"Honestly, minutes after he made his first one." Wes told him. "Vague as the statement was, there was no doubt it was about the Anderson-Smythes. Then his latter comments simply confirmed it, even though he only mentioned Blaine by name."
"How so did you know it was about each of them exactly?"
"Sorry, it's no secret to those close to them or anyone who went to high school with them, that Mr. Hummel refers to Sebastian as meerkat." A bit of snickering was heard in the courtroom, but it only took a look from Judge Watkins for it to be stifled. "He's notorious for calling him that when he's particularly frustrated." At that comment, Santana looked towards the defense's table and saw Mr. Jones attempting to calm Kurt as it was obvious he objected to what Wes said.
"How did you feel about the comments?"
"I wish I could say I was shocked by them, but that wasn't the case. The only thing I was surprised about was that he had the audacity to go after Sebastian's Mom. Outside of supporting her son and son-in-law, she's not involved in this and she be left out of his rantings. If he'd gone after Mr. Smythe, it would've been more understandable given he's represented them in court."
"Yet you didn't respond to his comments, why was that?" Judge Watkins asked since he was firmly aware that Blaine's and Sebastian's friends had previously countered Kurt's rantings.
"In all honesty, I considered it, as did most of the Anderson-Smythes' friends, yet we felt it was best to keep our opinions to ourselves."
"Why is that?"
"We didn't want to antagonize him anymore, knowing his comments would only become more pointed if we did."
"Objection, speculation on Mr. Montgomery's part." Mr. Jones stated.
"Care to clarify your statement Mr. Montgomery?" Judge Watkins asked.
"It's not speculation your honor, its fact as that's what's happened previously, not only online but during in-person confrontations." Wes said in response. "I'll be the first to admit I'm not completely innocent when it comes to engaging with Mr. Hummel, but he makes it difficult, especially given the malicious things he's done to not only Blaine, but Sebastian also."
"Objection, stating facts not in evidence." Mr. Jones stated, and in that moment Santana saw Wes roll his eyes which she believed was a first.
"Your honor, given Mr. Montgomery's familiarity with this case, he's alluding to incidents already on the record." Miss Strauss countered.
"Speculation on Miss Strauss' part." Mr. Jones replied, as they were each now standing.
"If you believe I'm speculating, how about we ask Mr. Montgomery which instances he's referring to?" Santana lifted her hand to her mouth to help stifle a giggle, as she imagined all the instances Wes could reference in defense of his comment.
"I don't believe that is necessary." Judge Watkins said, chiming in before Mr. Jones had the opportunity to respond. "Given Mr. Montgomery's history with the parties involved here, I believe at least some of the moments he's referring to have already been mentioned in court and it wouldn't do any good repeating them."
"Your honor, aren't you presuming he knows more than he possibly does?" Mr. Jones asked.
"Given how much of this case has been made public, it's safe to assume at least some of the instances have been discussed in this courtroom."
"Your honor, I beg to differ." Mr. Jones said, even though he knew he was treading on thin ice.
"Very well, let's clarify Mr. Montgomery's relationship with the Anderson-Smythes." Judge Watkins replied. "Mr. Montgomery, you've already stated you've known Blaine Anderson-Smythe for approximately twelve years, correct."
"Yes your honor."
"Were you aware of the previous incident Blaine Anderson-Smythe was involved in?"
"Yes your honor, as it's what brought him to Dalton Academy in the first place. I initially was introduce to Blaine when I was assigned as his mentor at Dalton. You see, all new students are assigned a mentor to help them acclimate to their new surrounds and what life is like at Dalton. Yet in Blaine's case, special circumstances were involved which his parents and the administration felt I needed to be made aware of to help him adjust. The young man I first met, was a shell of a person, and I hate saying that, but he was, but it was understandable. Even given Dalton's zero tolerance policy, it still took time for Blaine to let people get close to him. For that very reason, I became a bit overly protective of him, even after he came out of his shell as he'd found his safe place so to speak."
"Do you feel Blaine Anderson-Smythe would have an objection to you discussing this?"
"No, as Blaine was very open about what he went through during his national interview shortly after he took the airwaves by storm."
"How did you feel about Mr. Hummel the first time you met him?"
"Well, the first time I met Mr. Hummel, it was because he snuck into Dalton Academy to spy on the Warblers."
"The Warblers?"
"They are the school's competitive acapella singing group, which I was head of the counsel which led them and Blaine was our lead singer."
"Did you turn him in?"
"No, which is something I regret to this day. Instead, a few of us sat down and talked with him and during that time he told us what he was going through at his school. Needless to say, I was sympathetic to his situation. After that, he developed a friendship with Blaine."
"Did you approve?"
"To the extent a friend is allowed over another." Wes replied. "Though, my feelings on the situation changed prior to the new school year starting and I was informed Blaine wasn't returning to Dalton."
"Informed?"
"Yes, as I'd graduated the previous year and was already in New Haven when others found out."
"So you didn't approve."
"No. Much as I was thrilled that Blaine was finding himself, I felt it was a rather impulsive decision."
"Did you speak with him about it?"
"To an extent, yet once Blaine makes up his mind, it's difficult to change it. Yet, I wish I'd tried harder as the person I knew, began to change in ways that didn't feel right." Wes replied. "And the drama which occurred between the two of them, could've put a soap opera to shame."
"Did you support the marriage?"
"I wanted Blaine to be happy, and if marrying Kurt made him happy, than who I was I to tell him otherwise."
"That's quite the leap from your previous statement." Judge Watkins stated.
"I gathered a broader perspective once I was at college."
"Did you associate with them when they were married?"
"No, as Mr. Hummel didn't want me around, felt I was a bad influence on Blaine."
"Objection, speculation." Mr. Jones said.
"Mr. Montgomery, try to stick to facts, though I know it's difficult in a situation such as this." Judge Watkins told him.
"It's not speculation, as Mr. Hummel said as much to my face." Wes replied. "He felt I was trying to poison Blaine's mind against him. It's also why he made Blaine turn his back on most of his friends as he felt their presence in Blaine's life didn't bode well for him."
"Your honor, what does all this have to do with the matter at hand?"
"We're clarifying Mr. Montgomery's relationship with the Anderson-Smythes which you questioned." Judge Watkins stated rather matter of factly. "Given you've mostly talked about Blaine Anderson-Smythe, how did your relationship with Sebastian Anderson-Smyth begin?"
"Due to mutual friends, as Sebastian also attended Dalton Academy, though it was after Blaine, as well as myself were gone." Wes said in response. "I was leery at first given things which occurred between Blaine and Sebastian, yet I gave him a chance as we all make mistakes, especially in high school."
"We certainly do, as it's a time we learn plenty." Judge Watkins stated. "Without going into too much detail, how close is your relationship with the Anderson-Smythes?"
"We're very close, so much so that they asked if I would marry them after they got engaged."
"Did you do so?"
"I did, as I was honored to be asked." Wes replied proudly. "No sooner did they ask me, I did the necessary research to find out what I needed to do in order to make it happen."
"One last question from me Mr. Montgomery, though it is a two-parter. Regarding the issues the Anderson-Smythes have had with Mr. Hummel, are you aware of issues which are not public knowledge? If so, how did you find out about them?"
"Yes, I am." Wes said in response. "As for how I know, I was present for some, others I heard about from either Blaine, Sebastian, or both of them. Outside of each other, there are only a couple of people they feel comfortable confiding in regarding this matter."
"Thank you Mr. Montgomery, as I doubt this is how you imagined your day going when you agreed to accompanying Miss Lopez." Judge Watkins said before turning his attention back to the main courtroom. "Miss Strauss, do you have any questions for Mr. Montgomery?"
"Not at this time, but I retain the right to redirect once Mr. Jones is finished, should he have any questions." Miss Strauss replied.
"Very well. Mr. Jones, any questions for Mr. Montgomery?"
"Yes." Mr. Jones replied as he rose to his feet, before approaching Wes. "Mr. Montgomery, given how close you are to the Anderson-Smythes, why should we believe your statements aren't slanted to favor them?"
"For starters, it's not how I'm wired." Wes replied. "Secondly, I know the importance of these hearings and would never do anything to jeopardize the Anderson-Smythes best interests by making false or exaggerated statements." Shortly after he responded, it reinforced the fact that Miss Strauss had made the right choice.
"So, you never doubted the extent of anything relayed to you regarding Mr. Hummel's treatment of either of the Anderson-Smythes?" Mr. Jones asked.
"No, as anything I'd been told was similar to instances I'd witnessed between them."
"Such as?"
"I'd rather not say."
"Your honor."
"Mr. Montgomery, you need to answer the question." Judge Watkins stated before looking directly at Mr. Jones. "Are you sure you want him to answer?"
"Yes."
"Very well, Mr. Montgomery, answer the question." Hearing Wes sigh, Santana knew he hated where this had gone knowing it could bring up bad memories for Blaine. "Mr. Montgomery."
"I've personally witnessed Mr. Hummel verbally abuse Blaine, and attempt to physically assault him. I've also seen him attempt to physically assault Sebastian, and also verbally attack him."
"Sebastian's not innocent!" Kurt blurted out causing Mr. Jones to hang his head.
"One more word out of you Mr. Hummel and you'll be held in contempt, do you understand?" Judge Watkins exclaimed vehemently.
"Yes, but…"
"Mr. Hummel."
"I'm sorry your honor."
"Mr. Jones, please continue." Judge Watkins stated without even acknowledging Kurt again.
"Mr. Montgomery, arguments happen between people and given the history involved, it's not surprising this conversations get heated."
"True, yet Mr. Hummel has been the one to initiate them. And more often than not, the Anderson-Smythes don't engage, which only angers him more, adding more vitriol to his comments."
"Your opinion."
"Maybe, yet others share this opinion as plenty of these instances have occurred with others around, such as Miss Lopez." Mr. Jones then flipped the page on his note pad before continuing.
"So you're stating you'd never make a false claim against Mr. Hummel."
"I am." Wes told him. "There's no need to lie, as his own actions do enough damage in their own right."
"Your honor."
"Mr. Montgomery, please try and contain your responses to the question asked." Judge Watkins said to him.
"Yes your honor, I meant no offense. I was simply giving the reason behind my response."
"Understandable, and no offense was taken. Mr. Jones, do you have anything else for Mr. Montgomery?"
"Yes, I want to know how he's so certain of the reasons other friends of the Anderson-Smythes didn't respond to my client's comments."
"A group of us gathered after the initial comment came to light. And from there, we made calls to others whom we knew would have similar reactions. Again, much as everyone had something they wanted to say to Mr. Hummel, we didn't want to make more of the matter as it would only mean a bigger mess for our friends to have to deal with once they found out."
"Do you know how the Anderson-Smythes felt about it?"
"Much as the rest of us, they weren't surprised either given he seems unable to refrain from commenting on anything they do."
"Your honor."
"You asked if he knew how they felt, and he gave a response along with why they felt that way. Am I correct in my analysis Mr. Montgomery?"
"Yes your honor."
"Unless you have anything else for Mr. Montgomery, he's free to step down."
"No your honor." Mr. Jones replied before heading back to the table where Kurt was obviously frustrated.
"Due to the unexpected testimony of Mr. Montgomery, I believe it would be in everyone's best interest if we took a thirty minute recess so ADA Strauss and Mr. Jones can figure out how they want to use the information they just received. See you all back here in thirty minutes, court is in recess." After the slam of his gavel, they all rose to their feet as Judge Watkins left the court room.
Once he was out of the room, Miss Strauss turned to look at Wes. "I'm sorry for putting you on the spot in that way, but you handled yourself remarkably well."
"Thank you." Wes said and as he did, he felt Santana's hand on his arm. "I don't know if my statements served a purpose though, as we barely touched on his comments."
"You did, as you helped connect the dots regarding how the rest of you knew he was referring to Blaine and Sebastian." Miss Strauss said to him. "You also stated the case for why the two of you along with the rest of their friends refrained from commenting. It was evident in your testimony, you'd never do anything to bring undo stress into their lives."
"It wasn't the only thing stopping us, as we were also afraid of what our response could mean for the case as he could claim we caused the situation to snowball."
"It wouldn't be a first for him, that's for certain, though no matter what he initiated the first comment which would've set things in motion." Miss Strauss told him. "Yet I'm glad you all refrained, no matter how hard it may have been. You really do care about Blaine and Sebastian, don't you?"
"We do." Santana chimed in. "No matter how different all of our opinions are pertaining to how we should deal with Kurt, the one thing we all agree on is we won't do anything to make matters worse for them, they've been through enough as it is. And if Sebastian's managed to keep his composure through all this due to his love for Blaine, the rest of us can remain calm for their sakes."
"Kurt should be grateful Sebastian's done just that for the most part, as Sebastian has quite the way with words."
"So I've witnessed." Miss Strauss replied. "If he can combine his way with words with even a hint of his father's talent in the courtroom, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with as a lawyer." She then looked over at the defense table where Mr. Jones was still attempting to calm Kurt down as he was glaring at Wes. "The two of you should probably make the most of this break, and try to stay clear of Mr. Hummel."
"Will do." Wes told her. "Given what happened, I'm going to give Blaine a call so he and Sebastian aren't caught off-guard by any reports from the hearing."
"Good idea." Santana said to him. "With everything Blaine has going on next week, he needs to be aware of whatever is made public.
"Just one reminder before you go, get back with at least ten minutes to spare as Judge Watkins doesn't is a stickler for time."
"So we've heard." Santana said. "We'll be back on time, promise."
Once the two of them left the room, Miss Strauss looked at Mr. Douglass. "Since you have more resources at your disposal than I do, do you think you could look into those missed appointments by Mr. Hummel?"
"Gladly. I'll also see what I can find out pertain his drop off in community service." Mr. Douglass responded. "On that front it's either he lost track of time, or he's reaching the point where he feels it's overkill."
"Most likely the latter, but he's only got himself to blame as he would've been done by now if he hadn't had the additional hours added. Once again, he's only got himself to blame for the situation he's in." She then glanced back over to Mr. Jones again. "Every client forward, is going to feel like a walk in the park to him after this nightmare."
"No doubt about that. Now it's only a matter if he's going to be able to keep his client in check when Santana takes the stand."
"If he doesn't, he'll find himself in familiar surroundings again as he's already been warned."
