Blessed are the Merciful by Al Lacy Read Free Book Online

town’s other two newspapers on the courthouse steps and gave a civil nod, acknowledging their presence.
    Lance pointed out police chief Mandrake Bennett as they entered the courtroom. Bennett was sitting with several off-duty police officers. On the second row, center section, sat Jack and Thelma Sheldon, along with friends and relatives. Lance and Derek took seats behind the police chief and the other officers.
    Ten minutes before the trial was scheduled to begin, the courtroom was packed, and there were people in the hall who had gotten there too late to get seats.
    The jury filed in from a side door. Immediately behind them came the accused, Seth Coleman, along with a uniformed officer on each side of him. On their heels was Adam Burke.
    A door opened on the other side of the room, and the bailiff came in with prosecuting attorney Hansel Vandeveer behind him. Vandeveer took his seat at a table to the left of the bench, and the defendant and Adam Burke sat at a table to the right. The two uniformed men moved to the door they had entered with the prisoner and leaned against the wall.
    The court reporter entered and made his way to a small desk near the bench, notepad in hand.
    There was a murmur of voices across the courtroom, but the sound faded quickly and died out as the door to the judge’s chambers opened and the bailiff said loudly, “All rise!”
    When the shuffle of feet subsided, the bailiff spoke again: “Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Lucius P. Shagley presiding.”

    It was an equally hot day on Wednesday, August 8, and the courtroom was just as packed as it had been the previous two days. Women throughout the crowd used small fans to create a breeze on their faces.
    Silence prevailed as the prosecuting attorney walked away from the jury box, having just delivered his final argument before the jury would retire for deliberations.
    Adam Burke leaned close to his client and said, “Here goes. We’re going to win, Seth. You just hold on.”
    Seth Coleman tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage it.
    A few rows back, Lance Rankin focused his eyes on the words his apprentice was scribbling on his notepad. Derek was describing the contrast between the dark-haired, brown-eyed attorney and his blond, blue-eyed client.
    Judge Shagley looked at Adam over half-moon spectacles and said, “Mr. Burke, you may now approach the jury to make your closing argument.”
    Adam patted his client’s shoulder and made his way to the jury box.
    He gazed at the twelve somber-looking men and said, “Gentlemen, no one in this courtroom envies your position. You have on your shoulders a very heavy responsibility. My client’s life is in your hands. We are all deeply sorry over the loss of Officer Lawrence Sheldon, who faithfully wore his badge and served this city well. My concern now is that we not lose another fine officer who has equally worn his badge and served us well.”
    Hansel Vandeveer leaped to his feet. “Objection! Your honor, Mr. Burke is forgetting that Seth Coleman is on trial for murder. Such a crime would nullify any prior service to the city when Mr. Coleman wore his badge. Mr. Burke is planting misleading information in the minds of the jury.”
    The judge was about to speak when Adam Burke said, “Your honor, may I respond to Mr. Vandeveer’s objection?”
    Shagley nodded. “You may.”
    “Thank you. Your honor, Mr. Vandeveer objects to my statement that Officer Seth Coleman has worn his badge faithfully and served this city well, saying that I am forgetting that my client is on trial for the murder of Officer Sheldon. I am not forgetting that fact at all. But Mr. Vandeveer is forgetting the foundational letter of the law: that my client is considered innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, I believe my statement regarding Officer Coleman’s record as an honorable member of our police force plants nothing but the truth in the minds of these gentlemen who comprise the jury. His record