TYCE 3 (14 page)

“You gonna eat that oatmeal?” My cellmate looked at my tray. Now she was a real drug dealer. Mesha got picked up selling a pound of weed to an undercover officer. This was her sixth arrest, so she was a veteran in the jail game.

“Naw, have at it.” I pushed the tray her way.

I didn’t watch her eat the mush. I just returned to my bed, laid on my side and faced the wall. She was a husky girl in her early twenties with a baby face and extra thick eyebrows. I started to give her some beauty tips, but thought better of it, not wanting to offend my new roommate.

“You got court today?” She asked between mouthfuls of paper mache.

“Yeah and then once the judge sets my bail I’m outta here.” I rolled over on my back looking up at her bed.

“Yeah I gotta see the judge too, but I’m not getting’ out even if he do set mine. I’m broke as a joke. That’s why I was tryna sell that shit in the first place.” She chuckled.

“You don’t have any family to help you out?”

“Yeah, I got my moms, but I don’t wanna bother her with this shit. I’ll just sit up in here for the days they give me. That shit is cheaper than paying all them bitch ass fines and way easier than being on probation for two years.”

Mesha polished off her breakfast and stood up stretching her ashy arms above her head.

“What time is court?” I yawned.

“Shit they’ll come get us in ‘bout 15 minutes. You got jus’ enough time to brush your teeth with that weak ass toothpaste they give us and wash your face.” She laughed.

Mesha was right. Exactly 15 minutes later the deputy came and got us for our first court appearance to answer the charges set against us. The line for court was a dozen girls deep with me leading the way. We filed into a small empty room that had a plastic chair facing a glass wall trimmed in metal. On the other side of the partition was another plastic chair where the attorney sat at a make shift steel desk.

 
 
 
 
 
I was first up as the male deputy pointed to the orange chair. I slumped down in the chair as the anti classy public defender took his position. He was all uncoordinated with his clothes. I reasoned he must have gotten dressed in the dark. He had a blue tie, a rustic brown jacket, gray Dockers and an off white dress shirt. His pale hand swept sandy red hair away from his face as he opened up a manila folder stuffed with legal papers. He cleared his throat as he looked them over briefly.

“Are you Angelique Dupree?”

“Yes, and who are you?”

“I’m Jack Montgomery. I’m your court appointed attorney. I’ll be appearing with you this morning. I don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll be brief. You’re being charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, resisting arrest and a felony assault of a police officer.”

I just stared blankly into his brown eyes.

“The state is trying to give you the max on this Ms. Dupree. They’re talking 20 years. I see that this is your first run in with the law, so that’s not likely. I’m informing you what you’re up against…potentially.” He paused checking my reaction.

“That’s fake, false, incorrect and every other word that fits those bogus ass charges. Look Mr….” I fished for his name.

“Uhhh Montgomery.”

“Look Mr. Montgomery, all I need you to do is get me a bail amount. I’ll handle my so-called charges from there. You think you can do that?”

He leaned back in the chair and sighed.

“That might be a little difficult. I’m not going to mislead you. These are some very serious charges being levied against you. The only thing working in your favor as far as setting bail and being released is the fact that you have no criminal record.”

I liked Jack because he was a straight shooter. I appreciated the fact that he didn’t come in here talking that let’s make a deal bull shit like some game show host.

“I know you can’t make any promises. Jus’ promise me you’ll do your best to get me out.”

He nodded his big head rapidly. “I take my job very seriously and I’ll do everything in my power to convince the judge that you deserve bail.”

“Ok Mr. Montgomery. I’ll see you in court sir.”

“Very good Ms. Dupree. When we get in front of the judge let me do all the talking. If the judge asks you anything respond kindly and even toned, ok?”

“No problem. My mom taught me how to address the proper authorities.”

“Good. See you inside.” He smiled.

 
 
 
 
 
The next woman in line passed me as I went back to my seat on the wooden bench. The process went on for the next 30 or 40 minutes before we all were handcuffed, marched up three flights of stairs and shuffled into the courtroom. A whole section was reserved for in custodies off to the left of the judge’s bench. Family members, friends and other people returning for their court dates filed in the room and took any open seats. I watched who I assumed was the D.A. buzz around the room chatting with different lawyers about the cases on the docket. The court room was busier than I expected. It looked like an undersized version of the stock market floor on Wall Street.

The bailiff boomed, “All rise.”

Everyone looked up as the fat bald judge entered and took his high back leather seat. The last few people rushed through the door from the outside hallway including my man! Tyce walked in with another man who wore a 3,000 dollar suit and a 200 dollar hair cut.

Tyce made eye contact with me instantly and silently mouthed the words, “Are you ok?”

I smiled hard. I was happy to see him and nodded my head yes.

Then he mouthed the words. “This is your attorney.” And gave me a thumbs up sign.

 
 
 
 
 
Several cases were called before mine, but after about an hour my name was called. I rose from the chair and made my way to the podium. Standing next to me was Mr. Montgomery. My new high priced lawyer stood next to him. All three of us graced the dark wooden stand. We watched the judge and Tyce watched everybody. The D.A. took the mic first to start the show.

“Your honor, Mr. Seals representing the people in this matter, case number FR12094, the state versus Angelique

Dupree-possession of a controlled illegal substance with intent to distribute, resisting arrest and felony assault on a police officer. The defendant appears this morning in custody with court appointed counsel your honor.”

“Very well Mr. Seals, council?” The judge looked at Jack.

He cleared his throat. “Your honor Ms. Dupree is present to answer the charges, however I have just been informed that she has retained private council. Mr. Childress will be proceeding in my place if it pleases the court.”

“Ok then, let’s proceed. It’s noted that you are relieved of council duties and responsibilities and Mr. Childress is the recognized attorney for the defendant.” The judge nodded his thick head.

I just stood there trying not to look nervous. I felt better knowing I had my own lawyer and my man in my corner backing me up.

Mr. Childress addressed the court, “Your honor I would like to first thank the court for adjusting to the last minute change in counsel. I would like to request a continuance so that I may have a chance to properly interview and advise my client as well as prepare for the case. We also address the charges and enter a plea of not guilty on all charges at this time.”

“The plea is so noted Mr. Childress.” The man in charge said dryly.

The D.A. jumped in. “Your honor I’m sure opposing council will ask for the bail to be set in this case and the people will ask that the request be denied.”

“No need to be hasty District Attorney Seals. Let the man ask first.” The judge chuckled a little.

“Well, he’s correct your honor, but it doesn’t take a fortune teller to predict that. It’s standard legal practice to ask for bail. And I would ask that bail be set at 50,000 with a court date approximately 30 days from today.” My lawyer adjusted his silk tie.

I turned around and looked at Tyce who passed me a reassuring smile.

The D.A. countered. “Ms. Dupree is a woman of means your honor. My paralegal got a hold of some valuable information on the defendant. It seems she was the long term girlfriend of Maurice Bellows also known as Biz, a notorious drug lord that was found shot and burned to death nine months ago. She also has several businesses in the city. These are serious charges not to be taken lightly and we believe if given half a chance she will skip bail and never return to face justice.”

“This is not the trial your honor. My client is innocent until proven guilty. I doubt the people will shed a tear over a known drug lord’s violent death. To connect Ms. Dupree with that incident is prejudicial and unethical. No charges were brought against my client in that case nor anyone else to my knowledge. So to present that as a reason to deny bail is irrelevant, and I’m being polite with my adjectives.” My lawyer was good I thought.

“For all we know she killed him and took over his drug empire. We got lucky and caught her with drugs in her vehicle, and I don’t want to risk losing her again. I’m not a gambling man your honor.” Mr. Seal’s voice rose.

This cracker was really tripping! What the fuck was he talking about Biz for? I asked myself as I looked at the Judge who seemed to be perplexed.

Mr. Childress countered, “Mr. Seals is tossing unfounded accusations around this court room like a beach ball. It’s obvious to me that he has a personal vendetta against my client. One that is clouding his mind and threatening my client’s civil liberties.”

The judge ended the legal sparring match. “Enough! Given the nature of the crimes the defendant is accused of-I don’t feel comfortable granting bail at this time. I don’t do anything unless I feel comfortable. BAIL IS DENIED!”

The obese judge slammed his gavel down hard and my chin dropped into my chest. I didn’t hear anything after that. My mind kept replaying the bail is denied part.

Plan B

“What the fuck jus’ happened in there?”

 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Childress and I stood outside in the parking lot after court was over. I couldn’t believe the punk ass judge denied her bail! This was her first offense! Granted it was a big one, but still…it was her first offense! Mr. Childress put his black brief case on the trunk of his Audi.

“I’ve never seen anything like that before. It was almost like a witch hunt in there. I’ll draw up a motion to reconsider bail based on medical purposes. It’s a long shot but it might work. Mean while I’ll start preparing the case for trial. I’ll go pick up the discovery now and get right on it. Don’t worry Mr. Adkins. I’ll get her out.”

I shook my head back and forth slowly, hearing and not hearing the words coming out of his mouth. I knew he did all he could do in there and it wasn’t his fault the judge denied bail.

“Somethin’ doesn’t add up. This whole case is bull shit! Somebody is pullin’ some strings behind the curtains.” I looked him in the eye.

Mr. Childress leaned up against his car. “Is there anyone that would have a grudge against Angelique? Any enemies she may have that you can think of?”