Drunk In Wails

By Kevin Jackson

I’m alone. For the seventh straight day of this two weeklong trial, I stand alone against the other jurors. The fools! To make such unsubtle gestures of contempt towards me, it is infuriating. No matter, I will continue to declare innocence on the behalf of the defendant. I feel for him and for his wife. I can just hear the crying; the imitable sound of terror as one realizes that they’re about to die. She deserves justice, she does.

“Uh, Mr. Allen if I may, this is the seventh day in a row where you have expressed to us that the defendant is not guilty” juror five said.

“Yes, yes that’s correct” I said.

“Well, every rebuttal that you have mentioned has proven to be inadequate. The rest of the jurors here have all made valid and factual points against you to prove your theories incorrect.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?” I said.

“What he’s saying is that we’ve had enough.” Juror two said, “The reason you’ve been so quiet today is because you have nothing left to say. I mean, what is there left to say?”

I have nothing left to say? As annoyed as I am by her comment, it is a true statement. I’ve ran out of new points to bring into the discussion. I can still hear that poor woman’s cries of agony in my head. It’s so sad and loud! She deserves to have the real perpetrator be behind bars. I need to distract them until I can think of another angle that hasn’t been previously brought into the discussion before.

“It’s just—I still believe in the defendant’s alibi” I said.

My co-jurors collectively release a long and disjointed groan at my statement, the audacity.

“Yo man, you brought up that weak-ass argument a couple days ago” juror three said.

“And it’s a disprovable alibi” said juror five, “The young man claimed he went to take a, what did he call it?”

“A soft stroll” said juror three.

“Yes, That’s right, a soft stroll around his neighborhood after he and his wife got into an alleged argument.”

“Yes, and I believe him” I said.

“Come on man!” juror four exclaimed, “There were no witnesses who saw him walking around the neighborhood before the victim cried out, but witnesses did see the defendant run out of the house just a few minutes after the victim’s screams were heard.”

“Ahh, see! You and the witnesses that testified all said that a few minutes went by after the scream was heard.” I said, “So is it really such a leap in logic that the defendant returned to his home, perhaps just as he heard the screams himself, saw the body of his wife, and then decided to leave?”

“Even if that was the case, I don’t believe that there would have been enough time for the killer to escape” juror five said.

“Why not? I said, “Anything can happen in a matter of minutes,”

“According to the witness’s testimony, they immediately rushed to their window to see what had happened” juror ten said.

“Yeah, and didn’t they say that it took approximately a max of forty seconds to rush to their windows?” asked juror eight.

“Exactly right” juror ten responded, “and in that timeframe none of them saw the defendant run into the house; all that they saw was the defendant running out.”

Smart, very smart rebuttals from my fellow jurors. I was beginning to think that my point had some serious merit to it. Though, there are still flaws in their arguments just as much as mine. Ugh, if only they could hear that woman’s wailing like I can, then they would understand!

“For all we know, the real killer could have relieved themselves of their blooded gloves and clothing. They could have even hidden themselves within the confines of the woman’s closet” I said.

“That’s a very specific scenario” said juror five.

“I’m just trying to put all of you in the right headframe to see things the way I’m seeing them so you hear the terrible echoing of that woman’s screams!” I said.

“Screams? Well, none of us were there to have heard anything” juror eleven said.

“But you can imagine it!” I said.

“Wait, let’s back up a bit.” Juror six said, “You mentioned bloody gloves just a few moments ago right?”

“That’s right.”

“There were no gloves nor any out of place clothing that were found inside the house. Did you just make that up as part of your scenario?”

Those damn idiots! Why can’t they just listen and agree upon my rational! The woman’s wailing is continuous now. It’s louder.

“I’d assume that a killer who can commit a crime and flee without anyone seeing them is a killer who would be smart enough to wear gloves of some kind” I said.

“The killer is the defendant!” said juror two, “It wasn’t some made up conspiracy. The facts are the facts! Witnesses didn’t see anyone trying to flee and the CSI didn’t even find anything to suggest that there was another person in that house.”

I’ve held my feelings in long enough. I cannot handle this retched feeling inside me, this…regretful feeling!

“No!” I yelled standing up, “There was another person there that night! Just acknowledge the defendant’s innocence!”

“No, we will not!” said juror nine.

“I’ve had enough of this” said juror twelve, “the defendant is clearly guilty. I don’t understand why you’re so aggriva—”

I cannot contain it any longer! The wails have completely flooded my brain. I can’t think properly anymore. I just need to let it out!

“—ENOUGH!” I screeched at the top of my lungs, “The Murder was of my own doing! Yes, I killed the woman I loved because she didn’t love me back! Go on, go on! feel free to send me to the chair so I can finally be deprived of these aching screams!”