Chapter 8: Seeds of Doubt
Chapter 8 Seeds of Suspicion
“Upon receiving the call at the Greenwich sub-station of the Greater London Police Authority, sub-station Sergeant Willox immediately led a patrol team to search along the roads near the venue of the campaign speeches.
Eventually, the patrol sergeant team found the suspect Adam Evans, who was carrying stolen goods and preparing to abscond, in an alleyway not far from the venue at 5:03 PM.
He confessed to the crime and voluntarily surrendered to the Rangers.
Taking into account the behavior and modus operandi of Adam Evans at the time of the incident, the Greater London Police Service finally decided to prosecute Adam Evans for the crime of theft.
The suspect’s previous convictions for burglary and the short period of time between his last release from prison and the current offense indicate that the suspect has no remorse in his heart.
Therefore, the Greater London Police Department, after comprehensive internal discussions, recommends that the court impose a harsh and severe punishment as a deterrent to lawless villains in Greater London and to clean up the social atmosphere.”
Arthur read this and let out a soft breath.
Although he also wanted to get his hands dirty in the indictment, it was because he learned of the case too late, and the indictment had been submitted to the court a long time ago.
If he temporarily changed the content of the indictment, he would not be able to avoid arousing the magistrate’s suspicion.
Once the judge had the impression that the police had been bribed by the perpetrator, then not to mention finding Little Adam not guilty, I’m afraid the judge would really punish him severely.
Everyone knew that the magistrates were holding their breath and wanted to straighten out Scotland Yard, which hadn’t been established for long.
There were many old-fashioned judges who thought that the establishment of Scotland Yard was a complete seizure of power from their hands.
Once upon a time, they had the power to command their sheriffs to arrest criminals, and the emergence of a professional police force led to the demise of the local sheriff’s force, and also made them a complete and utter judge.
As expected, after listening to Arthur’s statement of case, the magistrate first carefully checked it with the charging documents in front of him until he was sure that there were no mistakes, then he nodded slightly.
“Submit the exhibits.”
The parasol that had been prepared long ago was set up on the evidence table in the center of the courtroom by the sweaty and white-gloved Officer Tom shivering.
The judge asked, “What happened to you?”
Tom was afraid that the judge would see that he was weak, so he had to cover his stomach and spoke, “I’m sorry, Mr. Judge, I’m a little unwell. Maybe I caught a cold because I sweated too much on patrol two days ago.”
Seeing this, the judge casually and jokingly asked, “Is it March 25th?”
“No no.” Tom quickly waved his hand, “This has nothing to do with the case, it’s my own poor health.”
He was afraid of letting the judge blame this on Little Adam’s head.
The judge didn’t think much of it as he spoke, “After the case is finished, you can go to the back and have some tea, but for now, please stick around for a little while longer. The case is very clear this time, and it will soon be over.”
Tom’s face went white with fear when he heard this, and he turned his head to Arthur, casting a look of help at him.
Arthur took up the story, “According to the victim’s own account, the parasol was an expensive custom-made item with a value in the region of seven shillings and sixpence. And there was only one batch of that type of parasol produced, so it is uniquely commemorative.
She therefore hoped that the Magistrates’ Court would make a combined judgment on the stolen property, taking into account its value in use and its collector’s value.”
The judge asked, “Has the victim appeared in court today?”
Arthur responded, “Because of the victim’s busy work schedule and commitments, she has applied not to attend this trial, and this application has previously been formally approved by the court.”
The judge scratched his head in some embarrassment, then pretended to rub his temples, “I’m really old, how could I forget about this matter.”
He lifted his gavel and tapped it, “Next then, the defendant Adam Evans is called.”
As the iron door opened, little Adam, shackled and wearing a thin garment, walked with heavy steps as he was led by the bailiff to the defense table.
But because he was so short, only half of his head could be seen behind the defendant’s chair. The judge therefore had to grant him permission to stand on the outside of the dock so that the judge and jury could observe the changes in his demeanor and behavior during the trial.
Little Adam looked around with trepidation at the empty perimeter of the large dock, where he stood alone.
Although he had been here many times before, today was the first time he had felt how terrifying the feeling was when so many pairs of eyes in the room converged on him.
His line of sight swept over everyone present, and finally settled on Arthur, who had an upright posture and stood like a sharp sword.
He gained courage from Arthur’s calm and confident expression.
Although he was still afraid in his heart, he still summoned all his strength and greeted everyone present with a slightly trembling voice.
“Mr. Judge, Mr. Policeman, and all you ladies and gentlemen who came all the way here to see me, you’ve worked hard, good morning.”
As soon as those words were out of his mouth, the jury box immediately erupted in a chorus of easy, delighted laughter.
Even the ever-serious magistrate couldn’t help but say, “Adam, they didn’t come to see you perform, they came to decide if you’re guilty or not.”
Little Adam’s mind immediately floated back to the words Arthur had urged him to say, and he hastily admitted, “I’m guilty.”
The judge stifled a laugh and asked, “Why did you plead guilty so quickly?”
“Because I did steal the stuff, and I was wandering around on Central Avenue wondering if I could take a chance and pick up a few coins from the cracks in the bricks.
But I suddenly realized that there was a large group of people gathered in front of me, so I followed and mingled, and then I saw a pretty lady with a nice umbrella.
At that moment I thought, “Gee, she must be sunburned, going out on such a nice day and yet she has to carry an umbrella with her. So I followed ……”
Little Adam had just finished speaking when he heard the sound of several knuckles tapping on a tabletop.
That was the code word Arthur had agreed to with him, meaning for him not to go on.
So Little Adam naturally stopped talking.
The Judge, who had not yet noticed what was happening, naturally went on to ask, “And then you stole that umbrella from her?”
Arthur spoke up, “At least that’s what our indictment says.”
The magistrate was not pleased with Arthur’s sudden interruption and he frowned, “Officer Arthur, please remain silent while I question the defendant. You will be given the opportunity to speak next. Okay, Adam, you may continue. So, did you steal Ms. Nancy’s umbrella?”
Little Adam got the signal from Arthur and naturally understood what to answer next.
He parroted what Arthur had just said as he did, “At least that’s what it says in the indictment from Mr. Policeman. I’m guilty, I’m sorry, I’m guilty.”
“At least that’s what the indictment says?”
The magistrate looked at little Adam with his head hanging down and his eyes full of tears, then at the expressionless Arthur, and then linking the remarks of both parties, the judge’s brow furrowed more and more tightly.
Suddenly, it was as if he had figured something out, and his face bristled with blackness.
“Adam, I am now issuing a formal questioning of you. Did the police use some or more improper means during your arrest and interrogation.”
Agareth laughed with joy at the sight, holding his stomach.
With one hand on Arthur’s shoulder, he leaned against him and said, “Arthur, you’re worthy of being the villain I’ve been looking at, you’re a born devil! Once the seed of doubt is planted then it can never be eradicated, it’s up to you to guide this delirious old man judge next.”
(End of chapter)