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

half-moon glasses. “The defendant will rise and face the jury.”
    Coleman stood up, and Burke stood with him.
    “Mr. Foreman, what is your verdict?” the judge said.
    The foreman looked directly at the defendant. “We, the jury, find the defendant, Seth Coleman, not guilty.”
    A rumble of approval moved across the crowded courtroom. Seth’s knees felt watery as he breathed a sigh of relief and turned to his attorney. “Thank you, Adam. You did an excellent job defending me.”
    Adam patted Seth on the back. “I was only doing what an attorney is supposed to do. You are innocent, and you had to be declared so.”
    “No!” came a woman’s voice from the group around Jack and Thelma Sheldon. “No-o-o! That man killed my cousin! He ought to hang!” Others in the small group joined her protest, railing at the jury.
    Judge Shagley banged his gavel on the desk, shouting, “Order in this court! Order, I say, or I will have this courtroom cleared and those causing the disturbance will be arrested!” Shagley ran his gaze over the crowd then looked toward the defendant and said, “Officer Coleman, you have been duly tried in this court of law and have been found innocent of the murder of Officer Lawrence Sheldon. You are free to go.”
    The judge banged his gavel on the desk and declared the court adjourned.
    Police chief Mandrake Bennett and most of the off-duty policemen hurried to Seth Coleman, congratulating him and saying they knew he was innocent. Other officers went to the Sheldons and talked to them in low tones.
    Chief Bennett and the officers who had first gone to Coleman went to the Sheldons and spoke words of sympathy for the loss of their son. When the last officer walked away, the Sheldons headed for the table where Coleman and Burke stood talking to the two guards who had escorted Seth to the courtroom every day.
    The couple halted a few steps away, waiting for an opportunity to speak. Seth was standing with his back to them. The two officers shook Seth’s hand, saying it looked like the Sheldons wanted to speak to him. Adam stayed close by his client’s side as Seth turned and looked at Jack and Thelma Sheldon, who were moving toward him with tears in their eyes.
    “We would like to speak to you, Mr. Coleman,” Jack Sheldon said. His features were haggard and pale.
    “Certainly, sir.”
    “You know who we are, of course,” said Thelma, blinking at her tears.
    “We’ve never been formally introduced, but I know you’re Lawrence’s parents. I want you to know how sorry I am that he was taken from you. You have my deepest sympathy.”
    Jack Sheldon took a step closer to him. “My wife and I are Christians, Mr. Coleman. We are taught by God’s Word to forgive those who trespass against us. Even though it’s hard for us, we want to tell you that we forgive you for killing our son.”
    “Just hold on here,” Adam said. “May I remind you that Seth has been tried by judge and jury, according to the law, and that appropriately and legally he has been found innocent of the crime? Both of you should agree with the verdict and conduct yourselves accordingly. Your concern should be to see the real killer tracked down and brought to justice.”
    “Thelma and I believe, Mr. Burke, that Mr. Coleman is guilty, inspite of his acquittal by the court.”
    Seth met Jack’s teary gaze with steady eyes and said, “Mr. Sheldon, I did not kill your son. Yes, we had an argument. I disagreed with the way he handled an elderly man he brought to the station, but I didn’t kill your son.”
    “And the court has agreed to that, Mr. Sheldon,” Adam said. “That settles it, no matter what you believe.”
    “Mr. Coleman, Thelma and I just want to tell you that we forgive you for killing Lawrence.”
    Seth drew a sharp breath. “Mr. Sheldon, there is nothing to forgive. I did not kill your son.”
    “Let’s go, dear,” Thelma said. “We’ve told him we forgive him. There’s nothing more we can