Blessed are the Merciful by Al Lacy Read Free Book Online Page A

stands by itself.”
    The judge nodded. “Objection overruled.”
    Vandeveer sat down, a scowl on his face.
    Adam turned back to the jury. “Gentlemen, you have heard the prosecution declare that the two witnesses to the murder of Officer Sheldon positively identified my client as the man they saw stab Sheldon to death on the night of July 10. Yet, under cross-examination, you heard both witnesses falter in their answers when I asked them point-blank if they could, without hesitation, pull the trapdoor lever on the gallows to send Seth Coleman to his death for the murder they say they saw him commit.
    “You are aware that my client has no alibi for that night, since he was off duty and has sworn under oath that he was home alone at the time the murder was committed. The two witnesses saw the killer stab Officer Sheldon three times, then run away. The witnesses have sworn under oath that it was Officer Seth Coleman they saw commit the murder and run away. Yet they are not so sure that they could pull the lever that would bring about his execution. You can see, then, that there is room for reasonable doubt.”
    Hardly a sound was heard in the courtroom except for the dull rustle of fans.
    “In the prosecuting attorney’s closing statement, he wanted to be sure you kept in mind that men in the Philadelphia Police Department know the accused and the victim had not gotten alongwell. Fine. Let me point out, however, that being at odds with a man is one thing; murdering him is another. And there is no conclusive evidence that Officer Coleman committed the crime.
    “As you now retire to contemplate the case and decide my client’s fate, please remember that on the first day of this trial, Chief of Police Mandrake Bennett, while under oath, presented to this court the impeccable record of my client as a police officer. Seth Coleman has put his life on the line many, many times in the past three years to protect the citizens of this city. Since there is reasonable doubt as to this officer’s guilt, the only right and proper verdict for you to bring back to this courtroom is not guilty.”
    Burke took a deep breath and let it out. “Thank you for your kind attention, gentlemen. I have no doubt that you will do the right thing.”
    Judge Shagley addressed the jury about their duty to consider all they had heard from both the prosecution and the defense, and to carefully arrive at their verdict. When the jury was out of the room, Shagley adjourned the court until such time as the jury returned.
    Near the back of the room, Lance Rankin whispered to Derek Mills, “Let’s go out to the hall and go over a few things. I think it’s a bit cooler out there.”
    They sat down on a bench and Rankin said, “Let me have a look at your notes.” Mills handed over his notepad, and Rankin’s eyes scanned the notes carefully. After a few minutes he handed them back and said, “Excellent. You’re doing well.”
    A smile broke over Derek’s face. “Whew! I’m glad to hear you say that!”
    “I’ll help you word some of these details so they’ll blend with what we’ve already written for tomorrow’s paper. If the jury comes back with the verdict I think they will, we’ll have us a knockout of a story.”
    When Rankin and Mills returned to the courtroom, they glanced at the Sheldons, who were in a hushed conversation with family and friends. At the defendant’s table, lawyer and client satquietly, waiting for the jury to return.
    The jury had been out for just over an hour when they filed in and took their seats in the jury box. The judge entered, and everyone in the courtroom rose to their feet at the bailiff’s command.
    When the judge and the audience were seated, Judge Shagley declared the court once again in session, then turned to the twelve men seated to his left. “Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?”
    The foreman rose and replied, “We have, your honor.”
    Shagley looked at Seth Coleman over his