A Trial - part 1

Large doors open to a courtroom just beyond. Each side is filled with masses mummering about. However, these whispers were hard to discern over the clicks and clacks of cameras dispersed around the room. Random flashes pointed towards the opened doors. Two guards, cloaked in all-black uniforms, dragged a feeble prisoner. The prisoner was merely covered by a torned, faded shirt hanging low on his chest. His pants, ill-fitted as most prisoner uniforms are, were barely held up by the rope tied around his waist. The room fell silent once the guards entered. The stomps echoed in the room while the prisoner’s feet were dragged along the ground. The prisoner refused to look up, only gazing at the wooden boards below. Dark curls shielded his eyes. Waves of tension crashed through each row as the guards made their way to the front. The guards stopped in front of the high bench and bow. The prisoner finally held his head up to catch the glimpse of the gavel of justice. A judge sat at the center. Her face, stone cold. Any emotions could not be perceived from her icy exteriner. Her dark, brunette hair was tied up into a neat bun with a couple of strands floating right above her forehead. Her hands rested right underneath her chin. Her dark pooled eyes pierced through the prisoner. The prisoner flashed a side grin right up to her. She scowled in response and shooed away the culprit. The guards erected themselves and shoved their capture towards the side desk at the right of the high bench. The guards pushed him into the chair and shackled him onto the metal bar right in front of him. The prisoner finally looked out into the crowd. Flashes continued to blink in and out of existence. However, in between the lights, he saw his audience. They sat there, staring at him, some in awe, some in disgust, but all filled with anticipation of what his fate could be. Then, the gavel struck down. The heads turned towards the sound. The judge stood up. She adjusted her cloak and looked out to the room.

“We are gathered here today to determine the case of Gale Shay.” She gestured towards her left. “Here, we have an abhorrent man. He is charged with second degree murder. The victim was a 12 year-old girl named Odette Bonilla. Her body was found at the river bank with Mr. Shay right over her body at 12:48 am. He was caught with a blood-covered knife in his hand. Odette died through blood loss with the multiple stab wounds along her torso.” The crowd winced at the description of the case. The judge swallowed heavily and continued.

“What will be decided of him will be determined by me after I hear the cases from both sides. Mr. Shay has decided to represent himself and defend his innocence.” The judge turned to face him. “You are up first Mr. Shay.” The judge sat back down, awaiting for his opening remarks.