Chapter 24 – Disorder in the Court
"Justice is the constant and perpetual will to allot to every man his due." - Domitus Ulpian
oOo
Over the next month, the trials of Sonya Durant, Raúl Lopez, and Roland Tembo seemed to happen slowly, yet fast at the same time. They were a blur in Henry Wu's mind. He remembered being called to the witness stand in every trial as it was part of the agreement he had made with the prosecution: testify against everyone from Biosyn in exchange for immunity. It was the only thing saving him from ending up in prison. George Lawala was also present and had been granted immunity under the same condition.
Wu had thought Robert Muldoon would be there because he had wanted to attend the trials and he would be called to testify, but Hammond needed someone to stay at Isla Nublar. Since Lawala had to be present to testify, Muldoon stayed on the island. The few times they needed to "trade places", they did so. At first, Wu didn't understand, until he remembered that Muldoon had been kidnapped with Nedry—and Muldoon was questioned about that incident thoroughly. Everyone else—Donald Gennaro, Gerry Harding, Tim and Lex Murphy would watch the trials from the island if they were televised. Wu didn't know if they were or not, and he never had the heart to ask. It was the same with Ray Arnold, Alan Grant, and Ellie Sattler—although Ellie did fly in on two different days to testify against Sonya and Tembo. After that night in the recreation room where Harding made his thoughts known, Wu was shocked that he would even bother to watch the trials, but he didn't voice that to anyone. Ian Malcolm accompanied Hammond and Wu the entire time.
Wu found it fascinating to find that every trial had its own flavor, just as each sentence hearing was different. He was more shocked at how much Nedry's recordings aided the prosecution. The hidden recording devices that Anderson's team had placed on Nedry had captured everything from the moment Lopez and Tembo ambushed him to when Lewis Dodgson forced them to play Russian Roulette. There were other recordings, Wu knew. It was how Detective Corey Anderson found out about the Molotov cocktail. That was never brought up though since it didn't relate to anyone from the Biosyn team. Wu thought it might come up when Nedry was brought back to court, which wouldn't be for some time.
A week before the trials began, two sentence hearings took place on the same day for Howard King and George Baselton. Both had pled guilty to the charges against them. Because they had cooperated with the prosecution and provided information about Dodgson's plot to kidnap Hammond's grandchildren, they received slightly lesser sentences. King was sentenced to twenty-five years to life for conspiracy to murder and kidnap, and trespassing. Baselton received the sentence for the same charges in addition to embezzlement. Both King and Baselton handled their sentence hearings with dignity. King expressed remorse for his role in carrying out Dodgson's bidding. As Wu expected, King was the only person in Dodgson's gang to relay any remorse or regret for his actions. Baselton nodded his head as though he agreed with the sentence that he had been handed down.
Sonya's trial was done in less than a week. She pled not guilty and treated her entire trial like she had been forced to attend a lecture about cardboard. Wu had testified against her, relaying how he had helped Sonya destroy Ellie's greenhouse. He tried to focus on Sonya and not on Ellie, who sat near Malcolm in the gallery. Ellie kept her head down, refusing to make eye contact with Wu. From the witness stand, he could see Sonya's gleeful expression. When Wu described in detail Sonya's involvement in Nedry's beatdown, how she had sprayed pepper spray in his eyes, she glanced at her nails. In her mind, they were probably due for a manicure. Wu was disgusted. He thought she would've loved to have so much attention poured on her, but instead, she behaved like she was above it all.
After Wu finished testifying though, she changed her tune—and her plea—to guilty. Wu believed she did that to lower her sentence—but it worked against her. Convicted of charges including assault, gang assault, property destruction, trespassing, aiding in the escape of a federal prisoner, and multiple kidnapping charges—including conspiracy to kidnap—Sonya was sentenced to twenty-five to forty years in prison. That was the only time she showed emotion. Sonya had teared up silently when she was led out of the courtroom by sheriff deputies. The tears were for herself—since she expressed no remorse. In Wu's eyes, it confirmed her selfish personality. He breathed an audible sigh of relief when the door closed behind her—and he'd find that he'd repeat that experience three more times. He thought it would get easier…but it didn't.
Lopez's trial lasted an entire week. Like Sonya, Lopez pleaded not guilty—only he never changed his plea during the duration of his trial. Lopez appeared distracted the entire time. Wu sat two rows behind the prosecution table. Even from where he sat, he could tell Lopez was agitated because he kept leaning over to his attorney, whispering furiously to him. Wu watched when Nedry testified on how Lopez came close to killing him. He thought Nedry was nervous because he kept drinking the water provided to him. Wu noticed Lopez was equally as focused when Lawala testified against him.
What shocked Wu the most was Lopez taking the stand in his own trial—and turning against Tembo, but then he realized it was every man for himself. If Lopez's attorney had made a deal with the prosecution to lessen his sentence in case he testified against anyone in the group—then that attorney was terrible, Wu mused, because he was convicted of nearly the same charges that Sonya had been found guilty of—in addition to attempted murder. His sentence was heftier than Sonya's: forty years to life. Standing in front of Judge Hoskins with his head bowed, Lopez had sighed in resignation. Especially since Judge Hoskins mandated that he serve the first forty years in its entirety. Just before he was escorted out by court officers, Lopez had turned around and made eye contact with Wu. I respected you, he mouthed before he was led away.
Tembo's trial went on for an entire two weeks. He was attentive the entire time, staring down everyone who spoke—from his attorney defending him, to the prosecutor working to put him away, and then to everyone who testified against him including Nedry. Even from where he sat in the gallery, Wu could see Tembo sitting straight in his chair, arrogant as always. He never displayed fear for what lay ahead—but he didn't seem to care either. Wu ignored Tembo's angry glare while testifying. It was easy to do so since both men held deep resentment towards each other. He later realized the reason Tembo's trial was longer: the first time he had kidnapped Nedry and attempted to kill him on Dodgson's orders was cross-examined in detail by the prosecution. Wu thought it was atrocious that the defense tried to make it seem like Tembo was acting in self-defense, when it was clear from Nedry's testimony that he was the one who had acted in self-defense after Tembo and the group ambushed him and brought him to an empty parking lot to be killed.
Tembo's jury took less than a day to deliberate before reaching a guilty verdict. At the time of his sentencing, Wu was exhausted from all three trials, and he knew it wasn't over yet. Of all the sentence hearings that he had attended, Tembo's stood out the most to him. When asked if he had last words before sentencing, Tembo turned around and glared angrily at Wu.
"I knew you would betray us."
That was it. Tembo had nothing more to say and he was emotionless when Judge Hoskins read his sentence, which was longer than Lopez's: fifty years to life. If Wu had to guess why his sentence was longer, it was because of the additional kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder charge when he was acting on Dodgson's orders to kill Nedry. Shortly after, he was escorted out of the courtroom by court officers.
The door closed behind them, and Wu exhaled slowly, relieved. Three people he never had to see again would be incarcerated for a very long time. They might even die in prison…It wasn't a pleasant thought, but it occurred to Wu that this could be the outcome for Dodgson's most loyal employees. He asked Corey Anderson about it when they left the courtroom.
"Why were their sentences so extensive?" He didn't want Anderson to think he was complaining, but he was curious about it.
"Because of the violent nature of their charges: attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, and kidnapping. Those three charges can easily land you in prison for the rest of your life."
"But Judge Hoskins gave them forty or fifty years to life—that means they'll be up for parole at some point?"
Anderson nodded. "Yes, at the end of the mandatory forty years that Lopez must serve, and the fifty years for Tembo. That's when they'll be up for parole."
"They won't get out before then?" Wu now asked for his safety—as well as Nedry's and everyone from InGen.
"No, they can't be paroled before then."
Wu was relieved until he remembered Nedry's sentence of ten to fifteen years, with him having to serve the entirety of his first ten years. He asked Anderson about this too.
"His initial crimes against InGen were nonviolent. He's considered a white-collar criminal. White-collar criminals tend to be nonviolent and usually take advantage of their position in the workplace to commit their crimes. Such as Dennis hacking into computer systems he designed, stealing, industrial or corporate espionage. Others may run Ponzi schemes, money-laundering, fraud, identity theft—that kind of thing."
They left the courthouse with Hammond, Malcolm, and Muldoon. The hallways were crowded with reporters from every news outlet and media source. Rather than get flustered this time around, Hammond kept walking, refusing to answer questions. Malcolm and Muldoon followed him, mirroring his actions. Wu paid no attention to the reporter who asked about the deal he had made with the prosecution. Instead, he focused on what Anderson had explained to him. Nedry's crimes were terrible, but he wasn't considered a physical threat to anyone—at least, not when he had first been convicted. Sonya, Lopez, and Tembo on the other hand were extremely dangerous—and now Wu wondered about Dodgson's upcoming trial.
As they all got situated in Hammond's limousine, he thought about how after every trial concluded, he was closer to leaving InGen. Sometimes relief flooded Wu, and other times he was regretful that Nedry wasn't present so that they could discuss the trials. There were many times when he found himself turning to his side while sitting in the gallery, as though expecting Nedry would be right there next to him. Wu was always reminded that Nedry wasn't there because he was on the witness stand testifying on behalf of the prosecution—sometimes for hours at a time. He was never permitted to stay as U.S. Marshals transported him back to prison as soon as he was finished. In every trial so far, Nedry had been the star witness for the prosecution since he was a confidential informant and had knowledge of Biosyn's inner workings.
Wu also wished Nedry had seen all three of his worst enemies: Sonya, Lopez, and Tembo, get escorted out of the courtroom in chains while under heavy guard from law enforcement—especially given how they had always ridiculed him for being a convicted felon. Wu tried not to overthink it. All three guilty verdicts and lengthy prison sentences were victories for InGen. In time, Nedry would learn of their fates—probably after his own sentence hearing. Right now, Hammond wanted to bring everyone to InGen's headquarters in Palo Alto to celebrate the convictions, while they also prepared for the most anticipated and emotionally draining trial: Lewis Dodgson.
oOo
Right from the beginning, Dodgson's trial was a three-ring circus.
His spinal cord injury was played up by his first lawyer, Ramsay Cole, to garner sympathy from the jury and Judge Hoskins, so that Dodgson would have more leniency. Dodgson was confined to a wheelchair now and accommodations had been made to safely transport him back and forth from the local jail by U.S. Marshals. Judge Hoskins had presided over every trial so far and wasn't having it. He could see right through Cole's games and Cole couldn't find a way to outdo the judge's rulings, so Dodgson fired him on the spot in the courtroom.
"That didn't take long," Malcolm had mused as he watched Cole scurry out of the courtroom, humiliated by the public termination of his services.
Wu didn't know whether to be surprised or amused—but he did notice Hammond remained serious the entire time. He sat still, unsmiling, and clutching his cane.
Dodgson's second lawyer, Soyona Santos, tried to get longer recess breaks and snacking during opening statements and throughout cross-examinations, which Judge Hoskins forbade. It was completely stupid and a waste of time, but everyone knew Dodgson was trying to see how far he could push the limits. Soyona joined Cole in being another lawyer that Dodgson dismissed for failing to manipulate the court for her unruly client. His next and final lawyer was pompous and grandiose: Peter Ludlow. But Ludlow was far more formidable than he appeared as Wu would quickly find out.
The reason why Dodgson was the last to be tried: he was the ringleader of the entire group. Wu wasn't shocked that Dodgson's charges were extremely serious. They were almost identical to Sonya's, Lopez's, and Tembo's and the list was endless. Reckless indifference of human life, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation of murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, trespassing, destruction of property, industrial espionage, aiding the escape of a federal prisoner… The charges were numerous, as were the counts. Wu found it difficult to believe that he was sitting in the same courtroom with the same man who promised to make him world-famous—that this same man had kidnapped Nedry and Muldoon, forced him and Nedry to play Russian Roulette, took over Isla Nublar for a period in which the InGen staff were bullied, harassed, and mistreated every single day. As Malcolm accurately predicted, he pleaded not guilty to every single charge, so no one was surprised when it happened.
The prosecutors, Paul Kirby and Udesky, weren't fazed by Dodgson proclaiming innocence. Nor were they deterred by his hiring and firing lawyers at the speed of light. They were detailed and precise and were presenting an airtight case so that it would leave no room for appeals or claims of a mistrial. Kirby was a tall middle-aged man with reddish-brown hair. His assistant, Udesky, appeared older than him. Of the two, Kirby was the more aggressive prosecutor. Wu had dubbed them good cop/bad cop with Udesky and Kirby in those respective roles.
During the first three weeks, nearly everyone from InGen testified against Dodgson—Muldoon, Lawala, Malcolm, Ellie, Grant, Gennaro, and even Hammond. Tim and Lex were also called to the stand. Lawala, Arnold, Harding, Ellie, Grant, and Gennaro were able to work out a schedule where one of them flew in from Costa Rica, stayed for one or two days to testify in court (depending on how much time was needed), and then returned to Isla Nublar. Then the next person would fly in, and so on it went. Kirby and Udesky were determined to make sure everyone testified in-person so that they could be sworn in under oath. This was to prevent Ludlow from claiming their testimonies as invalid had they submitted written statements instead.
Wu knew it was down to him and Nedry now. Us two traitors, he thought while sitting in the gallery. He watched as two U.S. Marshals escorted Nedry into the courtroom from the side door. Nedry was dressed neatly unlike his younger days when he was sloppy and didn't care about his appearance. He wore a pressed gray business suit, which gave him the appearance that he was going on a job interview—but the jangling shackles told a different story. It had been this way every time he had been subpoenaed for all the trials. He always wore the same business suit (which Wu found out later Hammond had purchased for him) and was shackled every time he came to court to testify.
"Why do they keep restraining him?" Wu leaned over to Muldoon as he whispered his question. He found it mind-boggling.
Muldoon remained stone-faced as he watched the clerk approach the witness stand with a Bible. Nedry was about to be sworn in. "He's seen as an escape risk."
Nedry stood up, placed his hand on the Bible and followed the clerk's directives. After he was sworn in, he sat down. Wu made eye contact with Nedry right then. Nedry fixed his collar, sat up straight in the witness stand to exude confidence, and rolled his shoulders back. Head up, shoulders back, he mouthed to Wu. Wu was glad that Nedry wasn't nervous about what was to come. In no time at all, Kirby began questioning his star witness. Wu listened as Kirby asked all the preliminary questions about Nedry's educational background, his career, and his work with InGen. After fifteen minutes of rehearing everything he already knew about Nedry—as the same exact questions and answers had happened at the previous trials for Sonya, Lopez, and Tembo—it finally started getting interesting.
"Mr. Nedry, I'd like you to share with the court how you know Lewis Dodgson," Kirby stated.
Wu leaned forward, curious to what Nedry would say. He followed Nedry's gaze: he was looking over at the prosecution desk where Kirby's associate, Udesky, was taking notes. Then he realized it wasn't the prosecution he was focused on, but the table where the defense sat. Wu noticed Dodgson shaking his head as though severely disagreeing with Nedry for working together with the prosecution and being called to the stand to testify against him. Nedry must've noticed it too because he said something about it.
"You can shake your head until it falls off, Lew."
Someone in the gallery giggled in response. Wu had no idea who it was.
"Focus on me," Kirby immediately redirected Nedry.
Nedry nodded, but he never took his cold stare off Dodgson. "It's a lot to share with the court, but I have a written statement."
Kirby turned back to the prosecution table where Udesky sat. Udesky handed him several pages written back and front. "Is this it?" He placed the papers on the witness stand.
Nedry picked up the papers, skimming through them. "Yes, I wrote this."
"When did you write it?"
"When I agreed to be a confidential informant." He turned to Judge Hoskins now. "Can I read it?"
Judge Hoskins consented. "Make sure to speak slowly and clearly so that the jury hears you, and so that it goes on record in its entirety."
For the next ten minutes, the courtroom was deathly silent as he read his entire written statement.
Nedry had barely finished when Ludlow stood up. "Objection! Your Honor, I'm going to ask that Mr. Nedry's entire testimony, and his written statement be stricken from the record."
"What the hell?!" Nedry looked from Ludlow to Judge Hoskins who sat next to him, but slightly elevated as he presided over his courtroom. "I haven't even begun to testify yet. Your client must be scared, huh?"
"My client doesn't know who you are." Ludlow pointed at Dodgson who shook his head and mustered up the fakest expression of bafflement with wide eyes and an exaggerated shrug. "Mr. Nedry's testimony is not relevant to the facts of this case."
"Can I answer that charge, Your Honor?" Nedry asked. Before Judge Hoskins could respond, he jumped ahead. "The devil's a liar and so is Lewis Dodgson!"
The courtroom erupted in laughter. From where Nedry sat, he was shocked to see Wu and Muldoon laughing. It was always a nice surprise to see Muldoon express hilarity, since he was always so serious.
Even over the roaring laughter in the courtroom, Judge Hoskins spoke loud enough to be heard by everyone. He slammed his gavel down only once.
"Overruled, Mr. Ludlow. The entire statement will remain on record as evidence." Then he turned to Nedry. "I'm striking what you said from the record."
Nedry gave him a sideways glance but said nothing to protest Judge Hoskins' ruling.
Kirby approached the jury box. "The prosecution has audio recordings of the witness and defendant arranging to meet at a public location, which will show Mr. Ludlow's statements as false. We will play the recordings and provide written transcriptions for the jury to review during deliberations."
Kirby nodded at Udesky who had the recordings ready. A moment later, Dodgson's and Nedry's voices filled the courtroom. Udesky turned the volume up and the courtroom was silent as everyone listened in. Wu noticed Judge Hoskins and even the jury were focused on the conversation. He listened as the conversation played, completely shocked. He had never known how Nedry had been lured to the restaurant to meet with Dodgson. Upon learning everything, he realized Nedry's plan as a confidential informant was to meet Dodgson at a public location and record everything. Getting kidnapped was never part of the plan—Dodgson simply took advantage of the opportunity to seize him. The voices floated in the air. At times, Dodgson sounded like he was mocking Nedry. Other times, he sounded like he was holding back his temper. As for Nedry, he came off defensive or reluctant, depending on how Dodgson was speaking to him.
"To whom do I owe this dubious pleasure?"
"Who do you think?"
"Oh wow…so the rumors are true. You're on the outside, huh Dennis?"
"As opposed to being where?"
"You know where, do you need reminding?"
"Nope."
"How did you get out?"
"None of your damn business."
"Maybe parole—especially after trying so hard to be a reformed convict."
"Why the hell do you care? I'm out and That's all that matters."
"Touchy! So, what can I do for you?"
"I heard from your brood of vipers that you want to speak with me."
"I do. It's been a long time—and they're not a brood of vipers. They're my prize employees. You were once too, you know."
"I'm not looking to be employed by you again."
"Sorry to hear that."
"We can talk on the phone."
"I prefer meeting in-person. At a bar, or a restaurant. It's more personal that way."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Too much to say on here."
"Alright, Dr. Dodgson, where do you want to meet?"
"Hmm…why don't we meet at Carlos and Charlie's—for old times' sake. That would be most appropriate, don't you think?"
"Yeah, sure. Whatever. What time?"
"Midnight."
"That's past my bedtime, but for you, I'll make an exception. What day?"
"Today's a good day as any. I Don't see the need to put it off. Let's meet at our favorite restaurant, have some drinks, and catch up."
"You got it. I'll meet you tonight around 12am. Carlos and Charlie's in Silicon Valley."
"See you then."
Wu watched as Kirby gave the signal to Udesky to stop the audio machine. From here, Kirby approached the jury box. As he did, he pointed at Dodgson who sat in his wheelchair, a blank expression on his face.
"I want you all to understand the significance of this recording. If Mr. Ludlow's client, Lewis Dodgson, claims he doesn't know the witness, then why is he using a familiar tone with him during this conversation? Why is he suggesting meeting at Carlos and Charlie's for old times' sake?"
Kirby allowed for a beat of silence to pass for the questions to sink in for the jury.
"It's because he knows who Dennis Nedry is, as they've had a past conspiratorial relationship that involved industrial espionage and sabotage against InGen. Also note that both Mr. Nedry and the defendant, Dr. Lewis Dodgson, are mentioned by their names in that recording."
Kirby went right over to the witness stand to continue questioning Nedry. "You mentioned Dr. Dodgson in the recording."
"I did."
"Is Lewis Dodgson present in the courtroom today?"
"He sure is, although he doesn't want to be." Nedry chuckled.
"For the record, state where he's located."
Nedry pointed at the table where the defense sat. "Behind the defense table."
Kirby nodded in approval. "Let the record reflect that Mr. Nedry has identified Lewis Dodgson sitting in the courtroom at this time, behind the defense table." He was ready to move to his next set of questions. "How often did you meet with Dr. Dodgson at Carlos and Charlie's?"
"For six months before my first theft."
From here on, Wu listened, fascinated as Kirby asked questions in which Nedry revealed the extent of how much work he had done for Dodgson. It wasn't just hacking into Jurassic Park's security systems and grand larceny. Nedry had created a virus that destroyed another biotech company's computer network system. Wu realized that was the same virus that Nedry had put in the laptop. He was questioned more, and then Judge Hoskins stopped the trial for recess.
An hour later, Kirby was still cross-examining Nedry about literally everything that was in the written statement, to all the recorded conversations he had with everyone when he was being held captive by Dodgson's group. Except the Russian Roulette one—that struck Wu as strange. Kirby asked about Dodgson forcing Nedry and Wu to play the deadly game, but he didn't play the recording… Wu didn't understand why. Nevertheless, he was glad that Kirby was getting to the heart of everything. He didn't want Dodgson to walk free—the more evidence used against him, the better. However, he knew it was only a matter of time before it was his time to be cross-examined. Finally, after two hours into the afternoon, Kirby rested his case as he went to sit behind the prosecution desk.
Wu watched as Nedry poured water from the pitcher into the paper cup he was provided. He wondered if Nedry was rattled by everything and realized he wasn't. This wasn't Nedry's first experience in a court of law, but at least this time, he wasn't the defendant. Wu figured it helped matters as he noticed Dodgson whispering in Ludlow's ear. Ludlow nodded and then stood up. It was his turn to cross-examine Nedry. Ludlow strode to the witness stand; his pace was deliberate and slow. Wu could tell he had something up his sleeve—but what? He looked over at Malcolm and Muldoon. Both men appeared transfixed. Hammond was also captivated by the dramatic scene unfolding.
"You came in through the side door of this courtroom today, is that correct?" Ludlow asked.
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Who were you accompanied by?"
"U.S. Marshals."
Nedry looked past Ludlow as he made eye contact with Wu. Ludlow glanced over his shoulder at Wu. Right away, Wu saw Ludlow's smug expression that read: You're next. Wu clenched his jaw, refusing to be intimidated by Ludlow. He hoped Nedry wasn't either as he thought Ludlow's condescending tone was irksome. As he listened to Ludlow continue to cross-examine Nedry, Wu tried to guess what direction he was going in.
"Could you tell the court why that is?"
Nedry hesitated at first and then pushed himself to answer as he leaned into the mic. "I'm incarcerated."
"Where at?"
Wu noticed Nedry's piercing glare aimed at Ludlow now. He reserved that hateful stare for anybody who demeaned him.
"A correctional facility."
Ludlow stepped away momentarily from the witness stand, a victorious sneer painted on his face. He abruptly whipped around when he heard the rest of Nedry's answer.
"Where else would I be incarcerated? Santa's Workshop in the North Pole?"
Wu couldn't stop himself from busting out laughing and he quickly covered his mouth. Beside him, a slight smile snuck up on Muldoon's face before quickly fading. Around them were the sounds of stifled laughter. Even Hammond, surprisingly enough, had scoffed at Nedry's retort. Malcolm shook his head as though not shocked at all. Some of the jurors wore tight smiles like they were containing their amusement. Judge Hoskins was the only person in the courtroom who didn't find it funny.
"This is your final warning, Mr. Nedry. Speak out of turn again and you'll be held with contempt of court—and you already have one count pending."
"Alright, I'll behave." Nedry folded his hands in a pious manner on the witness stand's polished wood.
Ludlow had been caught off guard and quickly regained his composure. "Be more specific with the court. What's the name of your current residence?"
Kirby decided he had heard enough. He stood up and pointed in Ludlow's direction. "Objection, Your Honor. Mr. Ludlow's questions are irrelevant to this case, and Mr. Nedry is not on trial."
Ludlow faced Kirby when he heard him object to his questioning—and he was faster than lightning to respond. "Your Honor, I need to finish my line of questioning so that I can make my point. The fact that Mr. Nedry is under the custody of Department of Corrections is an important key fact for the jury to know." He gestured to the jury box where twelve citizens listened as the trial continued.
Wu was starting to realize what Ludlow was implying when he saw Dodgson cover his face in a weak attempt to suppress his laughter.
"Overruled. You may continue, Mr. Ludlow. Mr. Nedry's status as an incarcerated individual is relevant to this case for various reasons including his recent work as an informant." The last statement he directed to Nedry. "You must answer the question."
Nedry deliberately dragged out his answer. "Green. Hills."
"Green Hills…" Ludlow's voice trailed off, indicating he wanted Nedry to state the full name.
Nedry sighed in an exaggerated manner. "Green Hills Federal Correctional Institution."
Kirby sat down in his chair in a huff, upset that Judge Hoskins had ruled against him. Ludlow smirked triumphantly and continued with his line of questioning. Nedry appeared ashamed as he avoided making eye contact with anyone in the courtroom.
"What is the security level of Green Hills?"
"Maximum."
"What charges were you convicted of at your initial trial?"
Nedry sent him a hard stare before answering. "Do you know how to read? My record's out there if you care to look."
Ludlow appeared flustered before switching to a feral tone. "I've read plenty about your first conviction. It's impressive in the worst way possible: Industrial espionage. Grand larceny. Conspiracy. Computer fraud."
"Hooked on phonics worked for me!" Nedry said, cheerfully. "Call 1-800-ABCDEFG!"
The courtroom erupted in laughter before Judge Hoskins banged his gavel, immediately silencing everyone.
Ludlow pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance but kept pressing on. "What other charges did you pick up when you escaped from prison?"
"What does that have to do with anything?! I'm not on trial—he is!" Nedry pointed at Dodgson who sat behind the defense table.
"It has to do with everything."
"Put your literacy skills to the test and find out then!"
Ludlow sighed, frustrated, and appealed to Judge Hoskins. "Your Honor, it's a simple question—"
"That you're asking so that you can embarrass me," Nedry interrupted. "Rot in hell, you devious bastard."
Judge Hoskins stopped the spat from spiraling downward. "I'm holding you in contempt of court—for the second time. Now answer the question."
A long pause passed before Nedry answered through clenched teeth. "Assault, aggravated assault, trespassing on private property, property damage, escape from a federal correctional facility…are you sure you're not illiterate? Or did you get held back in kindergarten?"
Ludlow wasn't deterred. He was determined to turn the tables on Nedry. "What are you wearing around your ankles? Tell the jury."
Nedry sent him a hard stare before spatting out his answer. "Your wife's silver anklets. Who knew she was so fashionable—better yet, who knew she made the worst decision in her life when she married you. Tell the jury about that one!"
Ripples of laughter and mumblings were heard through the courtroom—but none of it came from where Wu sat with Muldoon, Malcolm, and Hammond. They sat watching everything, dead silent. Judge Hoskins slammed his gavel down.
"Quiet or you'll be escorted out!" That did it. The courtroom was like a cemetery. He turned to Nedry now. "Stop now while you're ahead. You aren't doing yourself any favors."
Nedry glared angrily at Ludlow. "He's not asking me anything important! I'm not answering any more of his stupid questions."
"You don't get to decide what you will and won't answer." Judge Hoskins then turned to Ludlow. "Wrap it up and make your point."
"Mr. Nedry, you're wearing shackles because you're considered to be a violent felon, and an escape risk. In fact—"
"In fact, it was your beloved client that aided my escape from prison the first time when he sent his brood of vipers to get me out!" Nedry gestured at Dodgson who wore a wide smirk.
"You're in the custody of the Department of Corrections. U.S. Marshals transported you here from Green Hills Federal Correctional Institution, and they will bring you back there before the day is over."
"Your point is…?"
Ludlow's tone was iron as he closed in for the kill. "My point is you're a convicted felon, whose entire testimony can't be taken as truth. You're the star witness for the prosecution and yet you have a long history of being a career criminal. You escaped from prison and assaulted both your co-worker and former employer. You're violent, dangerous, and can't be trusted."
"That was almost a year ago, not yesterday!"
Ludlow appealed to Judge Hoskins again, hoping to obtain his favor. "Your Honor, I'm going to request again that Mr. Nedry's testimony and written statement be completely stricken from the record."
"Absolutely not!" Kirby said, rising from his seat. "Objection! Mr. Nedry's testimony is completely valid. Mr. Ludlow is clearly showing bias." He pointed at Ludlow who simply shrugged it off.
"Sustained. Mr. Nedry's testimony will remain on record." A trace of irritation had seeped into Judge Hoskins' voice.
In the gallery, Muldoon sat astounded by what he was witnessing. He leaned over to Wu, whispering furiously. "That bloody bastard is tearing down Dennis' credibility by using his history against him."
Malcolm nodded in agreement. "He has no real argument—that's why he's doing this. Smoke and mirrors. Deflection."
Wu looked at Muldoon who looked like he'd leap over the guard rail to punch Ludlow in the face. Malcolm's eyes were narrowed, showcasing his skepticism. If he were to be honest with himself, Wu wished he could punch Ludlow too and he couldn't imagine the anger and humiliation Nedry must be feeling.
"Again, I want to make it clear to the entire court that Dennis Nedry is a convicted felon." Ludlow faced the courtroom now, completely ignoring Judge Hoskins' ruling. He gestured at Nedry who squeezed his paper cup, furious about what was being said about him. "His testimony should not be relied upon or even believed. The very notion is preposterous—"
"Your face is preposterous, just like your defense!" Of course, Nedry was never one to be silent, even when the situation called for it—or when a judge demanded him to restrain himself. "With a lousy lawyer like you, your client is on a fast track to becoming a convicted felon."
Judge Hoskins slammed his gavel down. "That's enough!" He pointed a sharp finger at Ludlow. "I already ruled on that notion." He then turned to Nedry. "You're going to stop making inflammatory remarks towards the defense."
Nedry recoiled, shocked that he was being called out. "He brought up my prison status—"
"And I just ruled your testimony as valid despite your status as a convicted felon. Last time I looked, there's only one judge in this courtroom, and it isn't you."
Nedry shoved the empty cup away from him, refusing to respond.
Kirby stood up behind the prosecution table. "Your Honor, may I approach the bench?"
Ludlow looked from Kirby standing at the prosecution desk to Judge Hoskins. "I'd like to request the same."
Judge Hoskins didn't hide his annoyance as he massaged his temples. Still, he agreed to their requests to speak with him out of earshot from the jury and spectators. "Proceed."
Kirby and Ludlow stood closely in front of Judge Hoskins as he leaned forward to discuss whatever it was they wanted to tell or ask him.
Meanwhile, Dodgson took the opportunity to taunt Nedry. Wu watched from where he sat one row behind the prosecution desk. First, he observed Nedry, who was drumming his fingers, which he usually did when he was agitated. Then Nedry stopped and glanced in Dodgson's direction. Wu couldn't see Dodgson's face since he sat on the other side of the courtroom, but he instinctively knew Dodgson was furious at Nedry for revealing every single criminal act that they had committed together. It wouldn't hurt Nedry as he was already in the system, but Dodgson was fighting an uphill battle for his own life and freedom. A battle he had no intention of losing, although that was the expected outcome. Wu didn't hear Dodgson at first, he might've been mouthing the words. Still, Wu could tell he was antagonizing Nedry. Then he heard him—Dodgson's voice was a harsh animalistic growl.
"No one believes your garbage—that's why you're still locked up. Hope you enjoyed the crushed glass!"
Muldoon leaned over and said exactly what Wu was thinking. "I hope he doesn't take the bait."
Too late.
"You're begging me to go over there and push you out of your wheelchair in front of this entire courtroom!"
Judge Hoskins looked up, distracted by their recent exchange. He hadn't even finished speaking with Kirby and Ludlow, but he had had enough. Kirby and Ludlow also spun around; their attention yanked away.
"Get control of your client, Mr. Ludlow." Judge Hoskins pointed in Dodgson's direction, and then motioned to the U.S. Marshals standing off to the side. "Remove Mr. Nedry from the courtroom. He's had enough fun for today."
Wu watched as Nedry stood up and started to leave the witness stand. Two U.S. Marshals were waiting right nearby and grabbed Nedry's arms, ready to exit through the side entrance he had come in from. Nedry wasn't finished with Dodgson though as he kept yelling over his shoulder.
"Keep talking trash—you're gonna get back door parole! You won't last a week in prison!"
Wu eyebrows knitted together—what did back door parole mean? He barely had time to register what Nedry had said when he heard Dodgson barking at Ludlow. Ludlow and Kirby had just left Judge Hoskins. Kirby returned to the prosecution table and whispered furiously to Udesky, who was nodding and scribbling on his legal pad. Ludlow hadn't even made it back to the defense table to sit beside Dodgson to counsel him when he got the ax:
"What kind of lousy defense is that?!" Dodgson gestured at the witness stand.
"What are you talking about?" Ludlow was thrown off guard just like everyone else who watched the scene play out.
"Claiming I don't know him—of course we know each other—" Dodgson's legendary temper was starting to show as he hit the defense table with a wide-open palm. "You should've stuck to the fact that he's a convicted felon—nothing he says can be trusted."
Ludlow was about to respond when Dodgson finished him off.
"Your services are no longer needed. I'll be representing myself from here on."
Ludlow stared at him in disbelief, his jaw slack open. Dodgson sat up straight in his wheelchair and looked the other way as though his side of the courtroom was more interesting. Ludlow knew what he had to do.
"Your Honor, and the court, let the record reflect that the defendant in this case, Dr. Lewis Dodgson, has terminated my services—"
"Effective immediately," Dodgson turned back to him. His gray piercing eyes behind his glasses raked over Ludlow, as though slicing him with a mere glance.
Ludlow didn't say another word. He grabbed his legal pad and pen and threw them in his suitcase. Dodgson watched; a knowing grin lit his face the entire time. He was delighted to know he had fired yet another lawyer. Ludlow snatched up his expanding file folder and suitcase. Without so much as a syllable to Judge Hoskins, the jury, and everyone else—especially Dodgson—he walked up the center aisle and stormed through the courtroom doors, never to be seen again.
"Well, there it is," Malcolm said, looking over his shoulder after Ludlow made his grand exit from the courtroom. "Another one bites the dust!"
Author's Notes: Just wanted to share that "Hooked on Phonics" was a real literacy program that started in the late 1980s and is still around. In the 1990s, my mother actually used the program for both of my brothers who had difficulty learning to read, and it was very effective. As great as the program was, back then "Hooked on phonics worked for me!" was sometimes used as a way to insult people about not knowing how to read. If you go on YouTube, there's actual commercials advertising the program-including the little girl who says, "Hooked on Phonics worked for me!" Just wanted to share where this bit came from and I'm curious if other readers know this reference. Thank you for continuing to read my story! -Sassy Lil Scorpio