Molon Labe! by Boston T. Party, Kenneth W. Royce Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Boston T. Party, Kenneth W. Royce
had apparently been performed fairly, but something about the video disturbed Juliette. She sensed some kind of trick, but couldn't nail it down.
After a redirect of the witness, Krempler rests the Government's case. He sits down, confident that J.K. was going to lose this one.
Day Two
"Defense calls Mr. Harold Krassny to the stand," announces Juliette.
Harold Krassny is a spry old man, his skin weathered from seven decades of ranching life. His eyes, however, twinkle with intelligence. He is sworn in and seated.
"Mr. Krassny, are you familiar with State Exhibit A, the FAL rifle owned by Bill Russell?" asks Juliette.
"Yes, ma'am, I am."
"And how is that?"
"It used to be mine. I bought it new last November."
"What did you do with it?"
"I shot it for a while and then traded it at Natrona Sports for a really nice target pistol," answers Krassny.
"And when was that?"
"March this year."
"When you bought the rifle new did it have a muzzle brake on it?"
"No, ma'am. I ordered that from an advertiser in The Shotgun News and installed it myself."
"And when did you install the muzzle brake?"
"December 1994."
"Do you have a copy of the ad and receipt with you today?"
"Yes, ma'am, I do."
Turning to Judge Fleming, Juliette says, "Defense moves to enter the muzzle brake ad and receipt into evidence as Exhibits A and B." She hands them to the bailiff, who then shows them to Krempler.
Fleming asks Krempler, "Does the State have any objection?" Frowning, Krempler replies, "No, Your Honor."
"Very well. Mark the ad and receipt as Defense Exhibits A and B. Continue Miss Kramer."
"Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Krassny, why did you install a muzzle brake on your rifle?"
"I was trying to reduce the recoil. I weigh only 155 pounds, but at 73 years of age I'm not the 155 pounds I used to be."
The courtroom laughs at this.
"Did the muzzle brake reduce the recoil?"
"Yes, by about a third."
"Did you leave the muzzle brake on the rifle when you traded it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Juliette walks over with the FAL pointed towards the ceiling. "Is this muzzle brake on the rifle the same one you ordered and installed?"
Krassny looks it over and nods confidently. "Yes, it is."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I accidentally scratched it when I was installing it, and I touched it up with some cold blue. See there?"
Krempler briskly stands and says, "Your Honor, I fail to see where this is going. The owner history of the muzzle attachment is irrelevant."
Fleming slowly asks Juliette, "You are coming to a point, aren't you Miss Kramer?"
"Certainly, Your Honor. Nearly there, in fact," Juliette smiles.
"Very well. Continue. But do wrap it up." Imperious.
"Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Krassny, would you please read the ad."
"Surely. It reads 'FAL Muzzle Brake. Reduces muzzle climb and felt recoil. Blued steel. No gunsmithing required. Attaches with 4 set screws. ATF approved for post-ban rifles. $19.99.'"
Juliette turns and impales Krempler with a glare as she confirms, "'ATF approved for post-ban rifles'? Is that right, Mr. Krassny?"
"Yes, ma'am, that's what it reads."
"Mr. Krassny, did you rely in good faith upon that assertion that the purchase and installation of this accessory was in full compliance of Title 18 United States Code, section 921?"
"Why yes, ma'am! I didn't want to do anything illegal! "
A few snickers are heard at the back of the room.
Krempler sizzles, unsure if Krassny is being a smartass.
Juliette asks, "Mr. Krassny, did you ever have occasion to fire your rifle in low-light conditions whereby you could see the muzzle flash?"
"Yes, I did."
Krempler stiffens, expecting what is to come.
"Was that with or without the muzzle brake?"
"Both."
"To your recollection did the muzzle brake significantly reduce the flash signature of your rifle?"
"Objection, Your Honor!" cries Krempler. "The witness cannot render a qualified scientific opinion from objective laboratory conditions."
Juliette immediately counters, "Your Honor,
After a redirect of the witness, Krempler rests the Government's case. He sits down, confident that J.K. was going to lose this one.
Day Two
"Defense calls Mr. Harold Krassny to the stand," announces Juliette.
Harold Krassny is a spry old man, his skin weathered from seven decades of ranching life. His eyes, however, twinkle with intelligence. He is sworn in and seated.
"Mr. Krassny, are you familiar with State Exhibit A, the FAL rifle owned by Bill Russell?" asks Juliette.
"Yes, ma'am, I am."
"And how is that?"
"It used to be mine. I bought it new last November."
"What did you do with it?"
"I shot it for a while and then traded it at Natrona Sports for a really nice target pistol," answers Krassny.
"And when was that?"
"March this year."
"When you bought the rifle new did it have a muzzle brake on it?"
"No, ma'am. I ordered that from an advertiser in The Shotgun News and installed it myself."
"And when did you install the muzzle brake?"
"December 1994."
"Do you have a copy of the ad and receipt with you today?"
"Yes, ma'am, I do."
Turning to Judge Fleming, Juliette says, "Defense moves to enter the muzzle brake ad and receipt into evidence as Exhibits A and B." She hands them to the bailiff, who then shows them to Krempler.
Fleming asks Krempler, "Does the State have any objection?" Frowning, Krempler replies, "No, Your Honor."
"Very well. Mark the ad and receipt as Defense Exhibits A and B. Continue Miss Kramer."
"Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Krassny, why did you install a muzzle brake on your rifle?"
"I was trying to reduce the recoil. I weigh only 155 pounds, but at 73 years of age I'm not the 155 pounds I used to be."
The courtroom laughs at this.
"Did the muzzle brake reduce the recoil?"
"Yes, by about a third."
"Did you leave the muzzle brake on the rifle when you traded it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Juliette walks over with the FAL pointed towards the ceiling. "Is this muzzle brake on the rifle the same one you ordered and installed?"
Krassny looks it over and nods confidently. "Yes, it is."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I accidentally scratched it when I was installing it, and I touched it up with some cold blue. See there?"
Krempler briskly stands and says, "Your Honor, I fail to see where this is going. The owner history of the muzzle attachment is irrelevant."
Fleming slowly asks Juliette, "You are coming to a point, aren't you Miss Kramer?"
"Certainly, Your Honor. Nearly there, in fact," Juliette smiles.
"Very well. Continue. But do wrap it up." Imperious.
"Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Krassny, would you please read the ad."
"Surely. It reads 'FAL Muzzle Brake. Reduces muzzle climb and felt recoil. Blued steel. No gunsmithing required. Attaches with 4 set screws. ATF approved for post-ban rifles. $19.99.'"
Juliette turns and impales Krempler with a glare as she confirms, "'ATF approved for post-ban rifles'? Is that right, Mr. Krassny?"
"Yes, ma'am, that's what it reads."
"Mr. Krassny, did you rely in good faith upon that assertion that the purchase and installation of this accessory was in full compliance of Title 18 United States Code, section 921?"
"Why yes, ma'am! I didn't want to do anything illegal! "
A few snickers are heard at the back of the room.
Krempler sizzles, unsure if Krassny is being a smartass.
Juliette asks, "Mr. Krassny, did you ever have occasion to fire your rifle in low-light conditions whereby you could see the muzzle flash?"
"Yes, I did."
Krempler stiffens, expecting what is to come.
"Was that with or without the muzzle brake?"
"Both."
"To your recollection did the muzzle brake significantly reduce the flash signature of your rifle?"
"Objection, Your Honor!" cries Krempler. "The witness cannot render a qualified scientific opinion from objective laboratory conditions."
Juliette immediately counters, "Your Honor,
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