He leads me past the other inmate’s cells.
The Brotherhood won’t even look me in the eye, especially Mack. Somehow, JP got to them, and whatever protection they promised has now been redacted.
If I’m going to survive prison, I’m going to have to take care of my own damn self.
(Monday Morning)
My hearing proceeds almost exactly as expected.
Thanks to my father, I have a fucking amazing lawyer standing beside me as I face the bench, while the district attorney sits at the prosecution’s table, looking far too confident for my liking as he sifts through his paperwork, trying to seem important.
He’s not. He’s new to the District Attorney’s office and has very little experience, according to my attorney, Mr. Handler.
“All rise. Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Mitchell presiding.”
My ribs ache as I rise to my feet with everyone else, watching the judge enter the room and take his seat. He regards me with the same familiar expression he always wears when I appear before him… restrained patience mixed with disappointment. He and my father are good friends, and the fact that I’m continuously standing in front of his bench makes him agitated. Glancing over my shoulder, I briefly catch my father’s hardened gaze. He’s sitting toward the back of the building, remaining silent, judging me from afar.
“Mr. Dover,” Judge Mitchell begins, reviewing the file in front of him, “we meet again. It seems my previous warnings didn’t have the desired effect they should have, and you’re escalating.” His eyes lift, settling briefly on my bruised face. “Are those injuries from the altercation in question.?”
Before I can answer, my attorney rises.
“No, Your Honor. Mr. Dover’s injuries were sustained during an altercation at the detention facility last evening. He was evaluated and treated at Renown Regional Medical Center for a fractured rib and other non-life-threatening injuries.”
“I see,” Judge Mitchell replies calmly, jotting down a brief note before turning his attention to the prosecution.
“Counsel, please summarize the charges you bring before the court.”
The district attorney stands, approaching the podium with a strange hint of arrogance and pride.
“Your Honor, the State contends that this incident represents a continuation of the defendant’s troubling pattern of conduct. Mr. Dover’s record reflects numerous prior offenses, including vehicle theft, and repeated institutional involvementbeginning in his adolescence.” The guy sounds like a robot. I bet he spent all night staring at a mirror preparing his lawyer jargon for today.
“I’m aware of the defendant’s history,” Judge Mitchell states dryly. “Proceed.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” The prosecutor nods, fumbling with his paperwork nervously. “On the evening of February twelfth, the defendant engaged in a violent physical assault at Haven’s Hell Nightclub. Witnesses state that Mr. Dover repeatedly struck my client, Mr. Underwood, causing significant facial injuries and substantial cognitive impairment.”
Significant? That’s being generous. I barely touched the guy.
“The victim required immediate medical attention. Diagnostic imaging revealed a fractured orbital bone. Additionally, responding officers reported that Mr. Dover continued the attack despite multiple attempts by staff at the nightclub to intervene.”
My jaw tightens
Continued the attack?That’s fucking bullshit. Is he trying to pin resisting arrest on me?
“Witnesses state that even when security attempted to defuse the situation, Mr. Dover resisted them and tried to flee the scene.”
“I didn’t resist arrest!” I blurt out, unable to hold my tongue.
My attorney immediately tenses beside me.
Judge Mitchell’s hardened gaze snaps my way, pinning me in place. “Mr. Dover, you will address the court only through counsel, unless otherwise instructed.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” my lawyer says quickly, rising again. “If I may clarify?”
The judge nods, but he doesn’t look pleased.
“The defense is not disputing that an altercation occurred. However, the State’s interpretation of the victim’s medical condition is being vastly overstated.” He steps forward. “Hospital records indicate that while Mr. Underwood sustained injuries, they were not life-threatening nor permanent, and any reported cognitive impairment was temporary.” He hands documents to the bailiff.
“Furthermore, Mr. Dover did not resist arrest. Once officers separated him from Mr. Underwood, my client was compliant.”
