Blind Billionaire Bride

BLIND BILLIONAIRE BRIDE

(They call it madness but he calls it love)

EPISODE HUNDRED AND TEN

THEME: Justice Prevail

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SIX WEEKS LATERAll content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

The Supreme Court of Justice in Chicago, Illinois was full of reporters, jurymen and spectators attracted by the sensational nature of the case. Today is the day Frederick Robert would receive his punishment for every crimes he had committed. He was charged for so many things with seven others.

Drake Robert was doing fine now after being shot by his own father. And it left Mrs Vivian Robert with a great shock that she could hardly believe that her husband had shot their own son.

And Ria never knew Drake was going to be a father until his baby mama. Bay Sanders showed up at the hospital with her mother Serena. They all came to the hospital with Mrs Vivian Robert the day after the incident. Mrs Vivian couldn’t stop apologizing to Ria on her husband’s behalf. She was innocent just like her son, Drake. Though Mrs Vivian was present at Ria’s parents funeral but she never knew Frederick had killed them to take over the million of dollars inheritance.

Several weeks has passed since the incident at the abandoned site. And while in police custody under strict surveillance and even during trial, Frederick requested to see Ria. Ian was against it but she had been the one to plead with him to let her go to Frederick. And Ian only agreed on the condition that a cop would be around to watch them have the discussion.

Ria went to see Frederick in cell and all he did was ask for forgiveness. Ria stated that she has forgiven him since the day he shot his own son who had tried to save her. And Frederick admitted that his hatred and anger towards Nathan made him do everything he did.

And to be honest, Ria concluded that it wasn’t Frederick’s fault. His late mother, Antonia should be blamed. Frederick said that his mom told him that he won’t gain anything if Nathan was more closer to their father. He confessed that his mom clarified that he didn’t have a chance against Nathan because he was an illegitimate son. Antonia poisoned her son’s mind against Nathan but it is so sad that she isn’t here to witness everything. The hatred and grudge that has been deep rooted in Frederick caused his downfall.

Ria felt pity for Frederick and she wished that there was something she could do. Ava said he has no chance for redemption and that his sentence would either be death penalty or life imprisonment.

Ria doesn’t want a death penalty for him. She made it so clear which prompted Ava to say that if the judge gives Frederick a death penalty, then the attorney in charge can file in for an appeal immediately and for court to reduce his sentence. But the chances of them accepting the appeal is very low.

Amidst clamor and heated discussion going on in the court, the chief of court and six other judges walked in.

“Order! Court!” The usher announced.

Everybody stood up and remained standing until the judges took their seats.

“Call the case.” Chief of Court, Hannah Brooks said.

A female registrar stood up. “Case of state versus Frederick Robert and seven others.”

The case was no longer Ria’s because Speedy and two other deaths are involved. The seven other accused are; the prison warder, the nurse, Biggy, David, the current commissioner of police who used to be Derrick’s boss and the two men that set Lint Corporation textile factory on fire.

Three cops lead the eight accused persons in and made them sit in front of the Jury. Frederick was asked to remain standing while the Registrar reads the charges.

“That you, Frederick Robert, on 13th of April 2014 ordered the killings of Nathan and Madison Robert and their only child. That you, Frederick Robert, illegally manipulated the evidences by paying a law official, threatened a witness and killed two suspected killers, an act which is contrary to the law. That you, Frederick Robert, recruited the commissioner of police, a prison warder, two bodyguards and a nurse and conspired to kill Dane Julio. You also recruited two thugs to set Lint Corporation textile factory on fire. And an attempted murder on Ria Robert and your own son, Drake Robert. Guilty or Not Guilty?”

The Counsel of Defense, a tall young man on wig stood up. “Not guilty.”

The Counsel of Prosecution, Ava, stood up and bowed to the seven judges. “Guilty.”

“What are the facts?” Chief of court Hannah Brooks requested.

“Your lordship and members of the Jury, the facts are these; Mr Frederick Robert paid the late money make life gang to forcefully get his step brother to sign the transfer of inheritance papers and kill him after signing it. And it was discovered that indeed Mr Frederick effectively covered up the case with the late gang members and the captain turned commissioner of police who was supposed to be the custodian of law. A situation which has made it impossible for the law to take it normal course on this man and his accomplices. But now the law has finally catch up with them.”

Ava stated other facts pertaining to the case.

“My lord with your permission I shall now call a witness to confirm these facts and I call the first witness, Detective Derrick.”

“Detective Derrick!” The usher said loudly.

Detective Derrick went into the witness box. The court clerk walked to the front of the box. He asked for his religion and Derrick answered. The court clerk handed a bible over to him. Detective Derrick took the bible in his right hand and repeated after the clerk.

“I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

The court clerk went back to his position.

“What is your name?” Ava asked.

“Derrick Thompson.”

“Occupation.”

“A Detective in the Criminal Investigative Department of Chicago Police force.” Derrick replied.

“Look at that man over there, can you justifiably say that you know him?” She pointed to the commissioner of police.

“Yes.” Detective Derrick answered.

“What is your relationship with him?” Ava asked.

“He was my boss when I worked as a Detective Inspector in the Criminal Investigative Department of the Idaho Police Force. And he assigned me to work on the Robert case.”

Ava shook her heads “Mr Derrick during that time, did you make a report to your boss at any given time or date against Frederick Robert?”

“Yes I did. At first my boss told me to investigate the case properly so along the line I met a young guy named Ethan Dantes who is a close friend to the deceased at that time. He told me about Mr Nathan’s inheritance and how he suspected that his brother might be involved in the case.” He stated his own facts to the Jury. Everything he and Ethan did and how he got fired at work after turning in evidences that Fredrick Robert was involved in the case. The box containing evidences that he had gathered eight years ago was also presented in court.

Though the Defense Counsel tried to object his words but the chief of court ordered him not to question Derrick because everything he gathered wasn’t illegal.

“My lord, I have finished with the detective and he may step down.” Ava said.

Detective Derrick stepped down from the witness boss.

“My lord, may I call in the next witness, Matthew Alley.” Ava requested and the chief of court shook her head in agreement.

“Matthew Alley!” The usher said loudly.

He went into the witness box. The court clerk came to him and he repeated what he did with Derrick. An oath to only speak the truth.

“What is your name?” Ava asked.

“Matthew Alley.” He answered.

“Look at that man and all of the people with him. Can you justifiably say you know him or them?” Ava pointed at the accused.

“I don’t know him.” Matthew said referring to Frederick. “But I know the prison warder and the nurse. They came to the ward the day before Speedy died.” He added.

“Please tell us what happened on that very day.”

The Defense counsel stood up immediately. “My lord, objection my learned colleague is going beyond the case in hand.”

“Objection overruled. Please go on.” Chief of court Hannah Brooks said.

“Thank you my lord, now young man please go on.” Ava said with a serious look on her face.

“My late friend was stabbed by another inmate but before that day he told me about Frederick Robert. Not too much just that he used to work for him when he was with his gang and that Frederick promised to get him out of jail and fly him out of the country. Mr Frederick came to the prison that day and Speedy thought he was there to take him out. At that time, I didn’t know what they talked about but when he was in the infirmary he told me that someone wanted him dead.” Matthew recounted.

“Did he tell you who that person was?” Ava asked.

“Yes. He said Mr Frederick Robert. And he also gave me some stuffs to deliver a detective as soon as I get out of prison.” He related the story to Derrick and how he had searched for him.

“My lord, permit me to play the recording to shed more light to what he just said.” Ava played Speedy’s last recording to the Jury.

The Defense Counsel stood up and objected the tape. “My lord, this is an arranged statement to frame my clients. There is no true evidence that the deceased recorded it.”

Ava smirked. “My lord, certainly that is a very cruel thing to say by my learned colleague. The deceased knew who Frederick was and he was aware that sooner or later Frederick would come after him to cover up the truth. He recorded the tape as an evidence and wrote a note to Miss Ria Robert.” She tendered the note.

Ava did the necessary things by submitting all evidence to prove Frederick guilty and even the recording device Drake tendered that had the words of his father confessing to his sins.

The Defense Counsel called Frederick into the box and also tried to defend him. But the look on Frederick’s face was that of defeat. There was no way he was going to win the case with all the evidences gathered against him.

Then the prosecution counsel stood up gently with grace. Ava bowed to the judges and then to the jury.

“My lord, gentlemen of the jury, I commend my learned friend for cleverly weaving the evidence of the prosecution to confuse this court. I shall not waste time by going over the evidences because the issues are clear and raise no doubt. If the accused had not committed the crime as alleged, why should the deceased produce a tape? Why did Mr Derrick gets fired at work? Why did the accused set Lint Corporation textile factory on fire? Why did he try to stage an abduction? The issue is clear and needs no further debate. Again, when the accused were questioned, they each confessed that Mr Frederick ordered them to commit those crimes alleged. My lord, so what other evidence does this court need again to convict these dangerous people? The issue before the court are quite clear, the accused and cohorts must suffer the due penalties of the law.” She bowed before settling down.

“Gentlemen, the holy book of God tells us that the wages of sin is death. Members of the jury remember that justice comes first. You have heard the evidence of the prosecution and that of the accused. The defense counsel claimed that the evidences was fabricated. If you have no doubt in your mind that the accused did commit the offense for which they are being charged here today then you find them guilty but if the accusation is false and fabricated then you find them not guilty. Again do not let their status or sympathy get to you and just reach your verdict.” Chief of court, Hannah Brooks paused.

“You may retire.” She said to the counsels.

She stood up to leave with the other judges.

“My love, are you okay?” Ian asked as he weaved his hand tightly with Ria’s hand. They were sitting close to each other.

Ria sniffed as tears clouded her vision. “I am fine.” She answered. Just a little more time and everything would be over soon.

******

ONE HOUR LATER

The usher screamed again when the judges entered the courtroom again. Everybody stood up and remained standing as the judges entered until they were all seated.

Registrar stood up with paper in her hands. “Members of the jury, you have agreed on your verdict?” She asked.

“We have agreed on a verdict.” They replied.

“Is it guilty or not guilty?”

“Guilty.”

The registrar addressed the accused persons. “Suspects at the bar, you stand convicted of murder, bribery, abuse of public office, theft and thuggery. Do any of you have anything to say for yourselves why the court should not give you judgement according to law?”

“Yes… please be lenient with me and tamper justice with mercy! I have a two years old son that needs me by his side! Show mercy, my lord.” The nurse cried out. She has been in tears since her arrest.

“For the atrocities which you stand convicted, I find you Frederick Robert guilty as charged and therefore sentence you to life imprisonment with hard labour. In addition, you are to refund the sum of fifteen million dollars to the deceased child, Ria Robert. As for you, commissioner of police all I can say is that you are a disgrace to our noble profession, greed and love of money and power blinded you against the demands of the profession. You are sentenced to thirty five years imprisonment with hard labour for conspiracy, bribery and abuse of public office. To the nurse, according to your noble profession you are to save lives but you have committed a grievous crime with the warder to kill Dane Julio, you are both sentenced to twenty five years imprisonment with hard labour. The rest of the accused persons you have also committed a grievous crime which convicts you. I therefore sentence you to twenty two years imprisonment with hard labour. I commend Detective Derrick for trying to expose a crime, I am strongly of the opinion that this country must be protected against unscrupulous public officers, who abuse their positions and betraying the confidence reposed in them.” Chief of Court, Hannah Brooks looked sternly at the accused persons. “And I condemn you all for others to learn.”