Simon is staying overnight in Columbus, to speak with ACLU, first thing in the morning, as well as State’s Attorney General. ACLU hears of search for Simon so Dominique Lambert, one of their lawyers, offers to go with him back to Barrington.
Simon arrested, charged, held with high bail. Done before Denton, Walstead handling for prosecution, Lambert at Simon’s side. Simon explodes, calls the accusations falsified, wasn’t even in town...but has no alibi.
Simon loses it, berates Denton and says he saw the little dance between him and Walstead, suggesting they're gay lovers working together. “A blind gay man would have seen it.” Shakes up everyone. Both men deny it, but Simon is convincing. Some lawyers in the gallery hear it, to Walstead’s and Denton’s discomfort. Simon is dragged away, cursing them.
Simon in county jail. Word spreads he raped a kid but he deflects by telling them he’s there because he said he knew about Denton and Walstead fucking each other. Backed up by an inmate whose attorney told him trial continued due to uproar in Denton’s courtroom. Simon tells jail officials he needs medication for his heart, but ignored.
Lambert meets with Simon. Told of medication withheld and threats against himself. Told police found arrest report claiming he was once accused of molesting an underage boy in San Antonio. “I have never been arrested.” Shows it to him; he points out errors – Arrest in 1979 on form published in 1983, neat fingerprints when back then would be messy due to ink rolled on fingers. She says she'll look into it.
Simon works out a safe space for himself in jail by swapping chicken in dinners for other guys’ veggies. “Can’t eat it; makes me sick.” He also starts reading books aloud. “Like books on tape.” Wants the practice. Enough inmates gather around and he becomes known as Pops, due to age. Even guards appreciate him.
Walstead visits Simon to discuss new deal. “Where’s my lawyer?” “In Columbus. You’re still listed as co-representative, so we're not required to inform her.” Simon refuses deal. Manville notes he’s lost weight and shaking. No meds. “You need to tell them.” “I have and told Lambert.” She says, “I’ll see what I can do.” She gets it handled.
Lambert takes full control of defense. Comes down to talk. Looks bad. What about mistakes on report? They explained them away. Adam asks about verifying the arrest and aftermath. Can’t. Happened in San Antonio and records destroyed in Bexar County Courthouse Annex fire. How’d they get police report? Filed away in department basement and only recently found.
Trial finally comes up. Jury trial; 8 members. Evidence entered. Paley testifies. Lambert drills into him but unshaken. Simon decides to testify. Calls the accusations lies. Walstead goes after him. Simon asks to see the evidence entered. Walstead brings arrest report to him, very arrogant.
Simon reads it, aloud, into the record. Quietly notices the date of the form’s origination is changed and the fingerprints are smudged-looking. Looks at Lambert. Her expression is deliberately cool.
Simon points out the address of the arrest is wrong. That the building had been torn down to make way for a parking garage during the date of the arrest. Why didn’t you say so when Lambert showed it to you? “I’ve never seen this piece of paper before.”
Uproar. Walstead, Manville, Lambert, and Denton meet in chambers. Paley in gallery, glaring at Simon, who glares right back. Mistrial declared due to Simon’s claim. Jury tainted.
Simon meets with Lambert. “Why didn’t you tell me about this when I showed it to you?” “You never showed me this report.” They argue and she quits him. He lets her, and is taken back to jail.
No comments:
Post a Comment