Stories Of London

PAGE TWENTY ONE:
INNOCENT OR GUILTY???
PART 7

The Statue of Liberty atop The Old Bailey

The law of the wise is a fountain of life
Poise the cause in justice’s equal scales

-oOo-

When Mr. Mason and Casanova/Puppy’s Counsel arrived at the Court, they needed the police to make a pathway into the building for them since the area was packed with well-wishers and members of the Press. Some well-wishers displayed huge signs adorned with words of support for the Defendant. As they made their way inside, the sounds of clicking cameras followed their path.

Arriving at Court

Meanwhile the victim walked quietly through a side door unnoticed by the crowd. Soon after the arrival of Casanova/Puppy was greeted with loud cheers of support.

Casanova/Puppy’s Transport to Court

-oOo-

The first day of the Trail was set aside for the selection of The Jury. A pool of potential jurors (i.e., Venire) had been contacted by the Court and asked to present themselves at an appointed time and in an appointed place. To help ensure a sympathetic collection of jurors, Defence Counsel had spoken with Dr. Jason Bull, the founder of one of the most prolific trial-consulting firms. of all time, and sought his advice regarding the best approach to take when questioning the Jury.

Dr. Jason Bull

Dr. Bull combines psychology, human intuition, and high-technology data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses, and the accused tick. One thing Counsel and the victim were agreed upon was that Casanova/Puppy needed to appear less flirtatious with potential female jurors and female Bailiffs and, above all, with the Judge, a middle-aged woman!

-oOo-

In the meantime, Mr. Mason went to visit the District Attorney. Mr. Burger had requested that he come to his office at his earliest convenience to discuss Casanova/Puppy’s case. Naturally Mr. Mason was interested to hear what he had to say and whether he would be offering to drop the Charges or at least lessen them. Unfortunately it soon became apparent that Mr. Burger was in no mood to lessen the charges being brought against Casanova/Puppy and said that he would be instructing the jury to find him guilty, since he was convinced that he had sufficient evidence to obtain this. Mr. Mason said that evidently they had nothing to discuss at this time.

Just as Mr. Mason was about to leave, Mr. Burger said that perhaps he might lessen the charges if the Defence was willing to do something. Mr. Mason was naturally interested, and intriqued by this, and returned to the room. Mr. Burger said that if the Defence was willing to call Don Guido as a witness then the Prosecution would show their gratitude. He said that he was willing to recommend  a short non-custodial charge if Mr. Mason’s client was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge!

When Mr. Burger said this, it was as if an electric light bulb had been switched on in Mr. Mason’s mind!!! So this was the District Attorney’s plan all along! He hoped to use Casanova/Puppy as a mere pawn to achieve his real goal, which apparently was to get Don Guido into Court. Once in Court, one of his staff would serve Don Guido with a subpoena to appear before a Tribunal. This was indeed a dastardly plan.

Mr. Mason gave a slight knowing smile and said that he and Casanova/Puppy’s Counsel had not settled on a final witness list as of yet, but once they had, they would be certain to share it with the Prosecution when they had. As he got up to leave, Mr. Mason said that he would present his offer to his co-counsel and client and let him know their decision as soon as possible.

Despite Mr. Burger being unwilling to lessen the charges against Casanova/Puppy unless they were willing call Don Guido as a witness, Mr. Mason had gained some very useful information, and knew now exactly how best to fashion their Defence!

-oOo-

Mr. Mason went immediately to the Court and requested a short recess in order to discuss some urgent business with his co-Counsel. The Judge agreed to a short recess of fifteen minutes. With the granting, Mr. Mason and Counsel hurried to a side room set aside for their use during the Trial. Mr. Mason quickly informed Counsel of Mr. Burger’s plan. She was both shocked and annoyed that he would use such an innocent (!), as Casanova/Puppy, for his own end!

Mr. Mason said that it was their duty to fight fire with fire and to thwart Mr. Burger’s plan at every turn, but remain respectful and within the law while doing so. He said that they had to stymie all efforts to link the name of Don Guido with that of Casanova/Puppy. He said that by doing this it would hopefully force Mr. Burger to review his approach to the case. He said that he believed that by objecting to any question to a witness that suggested the smallest association between their client and Don Guido be met with an objection on the grounds that it was incompetent, immaterial and irrelevant. Mr. Mason said that he believed that such objections would achieve their aim.

-oOo-

Mr. Mason left the Court House after his meeting with Counsel while she returned to Court in order to speak with her client and the victim where she let them know of Mr. Burger’s offer. Naturally, they agreed with Mr. Mason and her to reject it.

When the Judge returned to the Court, the process of the choosing of a Jury began. By the end of the day, they had decided on a Jury: it was made up of three older men and nine women of varying age. Casanova/Puppy had been told not to be openly flirtatious towards the women, but can a leopard change his spots? When his eyes met those of each female potential Juror, Counsel could see an immediate connection between them and himself. To Counsel, it was evident that each was slightly smitten by his manner and gaze.

Casanova through the years

Apparently Mr. Burger and his co-Counsel had not noticed the apparent connection between Casanova/Puppy and certain Jurors.

The three men of the Jury stated at questioning that they had owned dogs all of their lives, but they felt that this would not influence their ability to ensure that justice would be served. They each believe that they could be impartial in their decisions.  Counsel was happy to believe that this was less certain! She was pleased at the result of Jury selection and felt that the Defence had an almost perfect Jury to acquit Casanova/Puppy on all charges!

-oOo-

Once the Jury had been chosen, the Judge said that in view of the hour, Court would be adjourned for the day and would reconvene at 10 a.m. on the following day when Proceedings would continue.  With that, the Judge’s gavel came down and everyone rose as she left the Court.

—oooOooo—

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CASANOVA/PUPPY …….
INNOCENT or GUILTY??? – PART 8