Chapter 3

Bill got a call from a producer for the Judged By Julie television show a month later. She explained that Jennifer Collins had agreed to take the lawsuit against Mr. Maxwell to the Judged By Julie show and abide by Judge Julie's verdict. If he agreed to this as well, he would be paid to appear on the show, and if she lost the case and he won, he would not be charged for the damage. This sounded great, and he agreed. The producer said she would send over the contract that day. Bill found the television show and watched several episodes.

He was told he could have one witness come along and immediately decided it would be Ralph. He called Ralph and told him about the Judged By Julie proposal.

Ralph said, "Yeah, I've heard of the show. Are you sure you want to be on it? She is pretty hard on everyone."

Bill replied enthusiastically, "Oh, yeah. We both have the same ideas about how to handle most of the idiots that are on that show. I'm sure she would agree, and I wouldn't have to pay anything for the lawsuit."

Ralph reluctantly agreed to go on the show with him, not sure that anything he had to say would help with Bill's case.

Bill and Ralph showed up at the studio on the day and time assigned. Ralph talked to some of the other people waiting for their episodes. Some had been flown in from various places across the country by the show's producers. Bill and Ralph only had a one-hour drive to get to the studio. Some of these people had hotel rooms and had been there for a few days, waiting for their time in Judge Julie's court. Ralph hoped they wouldn't have to wait for days to finish this. They only had to wait a few hours before being called in.

While waiting, Bill told Ralph he would handle everything with the testimony since he had had to testify in court before. Ralph should follow his lead. Ralph was concerned about this statement because this was not a real court, but to appease Bill, he said, "Okay, Bill, whatever you say."

Bill whispered, "I noticed you wore the suit under your clothes. You are finally listening to me. Better safe than sorry."

Ralph explained, "No, Bill, I did it because I got a bad feeling about this when I got up this morning. But you are right; better safe than sorry."

They were escorted into the courtroom studio. It had a high podium and desk where Judge Julie sat during the proceedings and short stages on tables where the plaintiff and defendant stood. There were a few rows of benches for the courtroom audience behind where the plaintiff and defendant would stand while giving their testimony. They found out later that people in the audience were paid, actors. Several cameras and lighting fixtures were in various locations around the courtroom.

The director and stage manager got up and introduced themselves, and explained how everything would work. "Action," was yelled, and Bailiff Boyd Johnson, a large intimidating man, walked in. He said, "All rise for Judge Julie Shineman." Everyone rose and stood while Judge Julie walked in, stepped onto the high podium, and sat down. She told everyone, "You may be seated." She sat there for a while and shuffled through papers.

She asked, "Ms. Collins, please explain what happened on the day that your Japanese Maple trees and fence were run down, as you put it in your statement."

Jennifer started going through what happened, and Bill Maxwell immediately jumped in and interjected, saying, "She isn't giving you the whole story."

Judge Julie glared at him and sternly said, "I am not talking to you yet. Sit down and be quiet until I ask you a question."

Bill tried to get more in, "But, your honor, I have more information."

Judge Julie harshly said, "Sshh, Sshh! Sit down now!"

Bill sat down with a scowl on his face. Ralph whispered to Bill, "You are making her mad, Bill; you had better be quiet."

Judge Julie glared at Bill and Ralph, held up her hand, and closed her fingers and thumb together to indicate they should shut their mouths, saying "Sshh!" again.

"Ms. Collins, please proceed." Judge Julie told Jennifer. Jennifer continued with her statement. Judge Julie asked, "Do you have pictures of the damaged trees and fence."

Jennifer said, "Yes, I do. Here they are." And she handed the pictures to Bailiff Boyd. Boyd took them from her and gave the pictures to Judge Julie. The judge looked at the pictures, and a camera over her shoulder focused in on them. The trees were snapped off at the base and were lying on the sidewalk. The picket fence was pulled down, and many of the pickets were broken. Also included were pictures of Ralph's station wagon's left rear end which were crushed badly.

Judge Julie asked, "Is this your car?"

Jennifer responded, "No, that was my neighbor's car he also hit."

Judge Julie asked, "Is the neighbor included in this lawsuit?"

Ralph jumped up and replied, "No, I am not included in the lawsuit."

Judge Julie looked at him questioningly and asked, "And who are you, sir?"

Ralph answered, "I am Bill Maxwell's witness, Ralph Hinkley, and Jenny, eh, Jennifer Collins' neighbor."

Judge Julie said, "Well, it looks like you should have been in on this lawsuit based on the damages to your car."

Bill Maxwell jumped in, saying, "Ralph never asked me to pay for his car because he knew it wasn't my fault."

Judge Julie replied, "Didn't I tell you to be quiet until I asked you to speak? I was giving my opinion on what Mr. Hinkley should have done, and my opinion is the only one that counts here."

Bill sat back down, frowning.

Judge Julie asked Jennifer, "How many times did you ask Mr. Maxwell to pay for the damages to your trees and fence?"

Jennifer replied, "I don't know the exact number, but whenever I saw his car in Ralph's driveway, I would try to catch him to talk about it. He always blew me off and would leave quickly or run into Ralph's house."

Judge Julie looked at Bill and said, "Okay, now you can tell your side of the story."

Bill stood up and started his statement. "Well, your honor, Mr. Hinkley and I were on a stake-out, and some criminals shot at us earlier in the day. I didn't know bullets had ricocheted off the street, under my car, and hit my brake line and steering line. There were small leaks in the lines, and by the time I headed back to Ralph's house to drop him off, I didn't have all my brakes, and the steering wasn't working right. So, I hit her stuff and Ralph's car."

Judge Julie replied quizzically, "That is the most ridiculous story I have ever heard in this court. A gunfight? Are you a policeman? What is your profession?"

Bill answered, "I am an FBI agent."

Judge Julie responded, "I don't know if I believe that."

Bill exclaimed, "Here is my badge," and whipped out his badge. Boyd came over, took it from Bill, and placed it before Judge Julie. She looked at the badge and returned it to Boyd, who gave it back to Bill.

Judge Julie asked, "Were you on a case at the time of the destruction of Ms. Collins' trees and fence?"

Bill answered, "Well, no, but I had been that morning."

Judge Julie said, "So you were off duty when the damage occurred."

Bill answered, "Yes, but the problem happened because…"

Judge Julie exclaimed, "I asked you if you were off duty when the damage occurred. Yes or no, nothing else."

Bill answered, "Yes," glaringly because he couldn't explain further.

Judge Julie asked, "And you, Mr. Hinkley, what is your full name again?"

"Ralph Hinkley, your honor."

"You are Mr. Maxwell's witness?"

"Yes, your honor," Ralph answered.

She asked, "And what did you witness?"

Ralph answered, "I was in Mr. Maxwell's car when he hit the trees, fence, and my car. He had no control over the vehicle at the time."

She asked further, "Are you also an FBI agent?"

Ralph answered, "No, I'm a schoolteacher." Bill cringed when Ralph said a schoolteacher.

Judge Julie asked incredulously, "What on Earth was a schoolteacher doing on an FBI stakeout?"

Bill jumped in and shouted, "That is confidential FBI information… And immediately stopped when the gunshot loudly echoed through the studio courtroom.