About
This Novel; Chapter 1 ; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8
1970
Calpurnia
Murphy strutted into the courtroom in a bright purple dress and matching
hat. After the bailiff swore her in, District
Attorney Henry Russell began his examination.
“Would
you please state your name for the court record and tell us where you’re from?”
he asked.
Calpurnia
ignored the prosecutor and spoke directly to the jury. “My name is Calpurnia Barrett Murphy. I was born in Hartselle, Alabama, but now I
live in Yamacraw County. Down by the
highway.”
“Do
you know the defendant, Willie Baxter?” the prosecutor asked.
Calpurnia
glanced at the Reverend without expression.
“Reverend Baxter’s been my neighbor for nearly ten years.” A smile formed on her face as she added, “His
wife used to do my hair.”
“And
did you see Mr. Baxter on the night of June 28, 1969?” Henry Russell asked.
“I
did.”
“Would
you please describe what you saw?”
“Well,
that evening, Reverend Baxter and I attended a revival meeting in Macon County. We didn’t get home until after midnight.”
Russell,
who had strolled over to the jury box, did a double take. “What’s that now?”
Murphy
looked as pleased as punch. “I said that
on the evening in question, Reverend Baxter and I attended a revival meeting
down in Macon County. I remember I was
very excited to go because my ex-husband was a heathen who would probably get
struck by lightning if he ever came within a hundred feet of a church, but
Reverend Baxter said he would happy to take me.
I’ve never experienced anything like it.
I had what they call a spiritual awakening.”
“Wait. You say you were with the Reverend? That’s not what you told me before,” said
Russell.
Melvin
stood. “Objection, Your Honor. He’s
trying to impeach his own witness.”
“Sustained,”
the judge said.
Henry
Russell stared dumbfounded at the witness.
“Ms. Murphy, are you really gonna sit there and tell me and this jury,
that you were with the Reverend that night?”
“Objection,”
Melvin shouted. “That question has been
asked and answered.”
“Sustained,”
said the judge.
Russell
pleaded with his witness. “What about
what you told me before? That you were
alone sitting on your porch that night when you saw Reverend Baxter come out of
his house carrying... ”
“Your
Honor, please,” Melvin said. “Mr.
Russell is testifying.”
“Sustained,”
said the judge. “Mr. Russell, your remarks
are limited to questions only.”
“The
prosecutor has no case,” Melvin said. “I
move for a directed verdict in favor of the defendant.”
“He’s
got you, Henry,” said the judge. “Motion
is granted.” He banged his gavel. “Next
case!”
Henry
Russell kept standing there looking shell-shocked. As Calpurnia came out of the witness box, he noticed
something shiny at the end of her finger.
He’d been so focused on his own presentation that he hadn’t noticed the
new diamond encrusted wedding band.
“Now
wait just a second,” Russell said. “Calpurnia,
where did you get that ring?”
“The
case is over, Henry,” Melvin said.
“Calpurnia,”
Russell asked. “Did you get married?”
Calpurnia
stretched out her arm to admire her ring.
She could not contain her smile.
“I
didn’t even know you were engaged,” the prosecutor said. “Who did you marry?”
Calpurnia’s
excitement exploded out of her in the form of a long squeal. “I’m Mrs. William Baxter.”
Russell
stood thunderstruck as the defendant strolled passed him to greet his new wife.
Calpurnia jumped into his arms.
Henry
Russell turned to Melvin. “Did you know
about this?”
“Are
you kidding?” Melvin asked. “I never
would have allowed a wife to take the stand against her husband. I thought we were sunk.”
The
Reverend and his wife continued to celebrate with Melvin and the throng family
members who rushed forward to congratulate them.
Henry
Russell stomped out of the courtroom.
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