"Blood On The Ground" – Part 12

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: 100% Courtroom drama ahead…

Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!

12-

"My client wasn't given any prior warning before being expelled," Owen's lawyer, Mr. Rutler, argued. He was a tall, lanky man who wore a stern expression at all times. "This is in clear violation of expulsion procedures."

The representative for Degrassi shook her head. Mrs. Shanahan was a slender woman of average height with short dark brown hair. "According to Principal Simpson, with each infraction Owen Milligan was given a warning. As you can see from his record Mr. Milligan has a long record of breaking school rules which proves he is a danger to the students of Degrassi."

Audra Torres smiled. She was sitting at the table with other school board officials. There was no doubt her mind that the evidence was on their side.

"My client was expelled over a nonviolent conflict with another student. The infraction did not warrant such a severe punishment!" Mr. Rutler decried.

Principal Simpson shook his head.

"At this time, I would like to note that Mr. Milligan has a history of violence towards the other student. This past weekend he allegedly assault said student! A police report of the incident has been filed," Mrs. Shanahan, the Degrassi representative, countered.

"Objection! Allegations of incidents that occurred outside of school are inadmissible," Mr. Rutler screeched.

The head of the school board, Superintendent Keller, smiled. He was a portly man with balding gray hair. "Thank you for pointing that out, Mr. Rutler. However, we are not in a court of law. Therefore, I'll allow it."

Mrs. Torres and Principal Simpson shared a look.

Mrs. Shanahan nodded. "We have documented evidence that Mr. Milligan threw this particular student through a glass door last year. This past Friday, the two got into a physical altercation in the school. This weekend a police report was filed claiming Mr. Milligan along with two assailants assaulted said student. And yesterday Mr. Milligan got into an argument with the same student on school grounds. Were it not for the presence of other students, his record suggests that it would have gotten violent. I believe Principal Simpson had more than enough reason to bar Mr. Milligan from his school. Mr. Milligan poses a danger to the students of Degrassi."

Mr. Rutler shook his head. "From your account, it sounds like there is only one student in jeopardy."

Mrs. Shanahan turned towards the school board. "One student is too much."

Mr. Rutler leaned close to his client. "Is there any truth in this?" he whispered. He didn't like being blindsided by the police report.

"They can't prove anything," Owen responded.

Mr. Rutler clinched his jaw. He was thoroughly annoyed. He took on this case pro bono because he wanted to show how the school board made hasty decisions that set bad precedents. Right now they were flailing in the water. The evidence was not in their favor.

He watched curiously as Mrs. Shanahan received documents from a courier.

"We have new evidence," she announced. She turned to Superintendent Keller. "I would like permission to identify the student involved in multiple altercations with Mr. Milligan."

Mr. Keller turned to Audra. She nodded. "Permission is granted."

"Mr. Milligan has been documented in number of bullying incidents against Mr. Torres, a transgendered student. This is relevant because I have received word of a number of threats Mr. Milligan has made towards Mr. Torres as recently as last night," Mrs. Shanahan announced.

Mr. Rutler glanced his client. "Objection. I don't see what hearsay has to do with Mr. Milligan's expulsion."

Superintendent Keller looked at Mrs. Shanahan. "Go on."

The representative for Degrassi took a deep breath. She wasn't up to date with social media but even she could tell the papers she received were a boon to her case. "Like many teenagers today, Mr. Milligan uses social media to converse with friends and state his views. Last night he used the platform 'Twitter' to make a number of threats towards Mr. Torres."

She handed printouts to the board and gave a copy to Owen's lawyer.

"Two of which, I believe makes it clear that Mr. Milligan does not belong at Degrassi: 'I'm glad I was expelled. Now my hands aren't tied' and 'That tranny bitch should sleep with one eye open'. With that, I'll like to rest my case," Mrs. Shanahan finished.

Mr. Rutler was pissed. Clearly he had been cursed with an imbecile for a client. "First I'd like to point out that there is no way we can prove that these words belong to my client. On social media sites such as FaceRange, user accounts are attacked all the time. Secondly, if these words can be attributed to my client then they are the ramblings of an upset teenage boy who was recently thrown out of school. Nothing more, and nothing less," he argued.

"At this time does the board have any questions or comments for both parties?" Superintendent Keller asked.

Audra stood up. "My name is Audra Torres and I have a few questions for Mr. Rutler's client," she announced.

Owen tugged on his lawyer's arm. "That's his mom! That's not fair!" he whispered.

Mr. Rutler frowned. Right now their case wasn't looking good so it was worth a shot. "Objection!" he called out.

Superintendent Keller managed to suppress the urge to roll his eyes. He didn't like the demeanor of the trial lawyer. "Yes?"

"This is clearly a conflict of interest! Mrs. Torres is the mother of Mr. Torres and as such cannot adequately rule on the fate of my client!" Mr. Rutler argued.

The Superintendent deferred to Audra with a smile.

"Yes, Mr. Torres is my son. I have been on the school board for ten years and am familiar with the bylaws. There is no regulation preventing me from sitting in on the hearing," she informed him.

"You mean, your daughter," Owen muttered in response.

The room grew quiet and Owen's eyes widened as he realized he had been heard.

Audra looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Mr. Rutler looked at him with full on disdain. And Mrs. Shanahan smiled broadly as she realized she had just won the case.

.

tbc

A/N: We're heading into the home stretch with the next part. It takes place on Thursday…