Criminal Defense

by Alice J. Harris-Wood

  “We will ask for total immunity for everyone in your family. With total immunity, no one can come back and file civil lawsuit against the family. In return, we will give them information necessary so they are able to solve old cases, including murder. I believe they will go for it. After all, this is your first offense. You would get off with a light sentence if convicted,” said Mr. Wright.

  “Let’s make a list of what we have. Tomorrow you can present it to the prosecutor,” said Nick.

  “We won’t tell what we have. We will tell him what we can do for him. After he agrees to full immunity in writing, we will give him the list of family members that will need full immunity, and then we will turn over our papers. We will make copies of all papers,” said Mr. Wright.

  “I have a recording from Lola about the family’s criminal activity. That will also verify the papers,” said Ted.

  “How did Lola know the family history?” asked Mr. Wright.

  “My brother and I found our grandparents’ papers in my uncle’s basement. As for the businesses we ran, we copied them from the information that we attained by reading those papers. My uncle never knew that we found those papers,” said Lola.

  “I am going to ask if the total immunity applies to anyone who testifies on your behalf. The information that we can give them goes back many years and will solve many cold cases. The law enforcement will look very good in the public’s eye,” said Mr. Wright.

  “When do we go to court?” asked Lola.

  “Since I am the new lead attorney, we have been given additional time. Court will start in three weeks. That will give us time to send out subpoenas and get the immunity issues confirmed in writing,” said Mr. Wright.

  “We will also need to send what we have along with our witness list to the district attorney’s office. They in return will send us their evidence,” said Mr. Wright.

  “Nick, what I will need is the address of my list of witnesses which will include your brother and his wife, and your nephew. Johnny Jones (employee of Off Campus Café), Henry Bryant (employee of Off Campus Café), Eva Harris (Lola’s aunt), and Bruce Carson (the longtime friend of the family) will all be on the list,” said Ted.

  “I need all the witnesses to be here next week so that we can go over their testimony. I do not want any surprises,” said Mr. Wright.

  “Get the subpoenas and I will have the address ready in a few days. They will show up or go to jail. This is my niece’s life at stake and this is their small contribution in helping to give her a fresh beginning,” said Nick.

  “Mr. Wright, are you anyhow related to Candee and Frank Wright?” asked Lola.

  “Yes, they were my parents. I was raised in California, and after their death, I learned that they were criminals. As young adults, they were criminal partners with your grandparents. Most of what I know came from your two uncles and information that was left or found in their belongings after they died. I moved to France and got married. I agreed to return and help you because it was the only right thing to do. My parents got a second chance and now I want you also to have a second chance. I feel like family, so from now on, I want to be called Bobby.”

  “Are we going to have any trouble with the district attorney’s office? Every time I see him, he looks like he is ready to say something but doesn’t know how,” said Nick.

  “I have gotten that feeling too. He keeps looking at me as if he has seen a ghost from the past,” said Lola.

  “Maybe he has, maybe his past is catching up with him. Time will tell,” said Bobby.

  Lola did not go back to live at the Off Campus Café. Ted offered to let her stay at his place. She just wanted time away from all that life and have a chance to search for what she wanted. Lola went to visit her great aunt who was her grandmother’s baby sister in Alabama. She did not tell her she was coming. She had not seen her for over fifteen years. Aunt Lulu had moved away from New Orleans as a young bride when she married a local preacher.

  Alabama was much different than New Orleans; most of the area was still country. After asking questions and getting directions, Lola finally arrived at her aunt’s home. The house was a big white classic farmhouse with a large church down the road. The farm had horses, cows, goats, pigs, chickens, and a beautiful golden retriever. As she stepped out of my car, the golden retriever greeted her.

  “Hello glorious, what is your name?” asked Lola to the dog.

  Lola knocked on the front door and no one answered. She saw that there was mail in the mailbox. To make sure she was at the right place, she looked at the address on the mail. It said Lulu Brown.

  Thinking to herself, she said, ‘That’s right. That’s my aunt.’

  On the door was a plaque that said: ‘Sunshine, Laughter, and Friends are always Welcome.’ This made Lola feel good and wanted. As she sat on the porch with the good dog by her chair, she fell asleep.

  Lola was dreaming about her life with her mother. Her mother loved to sing, dance, play the piano, and cook. ‘God had given her many gifts and she enjoyed using them. Having black blood in her was never a liability for Mom. In fact, she believed it was an asset. Her gifts were inherited from her grandmother who was a black woman and loved life. How my grandmother became a criminal is puzzling to me. It must have been learned,’ dreamed Lola as she slept.

  “Wake up, young lady. I hope you have enjoyed your nap. Do I know you?” asked Aunt Lulu.

  “Yes, I am Lola Harrison. My mother is Zola,” she said.

  “You look just like Nina. It is as if she was reincarnated. It is so wonderful to see you after all these years. I see you have already met Brandon. He is a very good judge of character. Therefore, you have passed his test. Why are you here?” asked Aunt Lulu.

  “It is a long story, but I needed time to sort out my life. I have many criminal charges against me. I will be going to court in a few weeks. I was hoping being out here in God’s country for a few days might help,” said Lola.

  “Your mother is living here. She is a different person than you knew when you were twelve years old. She has changed her life. She does not drink, do drugs, or smoke. She is a member of my church and the music director. The community loves her. She used her money to build a new church for the people of this neighborhood. She started a food bank and shelter for the poor. She works everyday trying to improve the lives of others. With God’s help, she is doing a good job,” said Aunt Lulu.

  “She goes to church!” replied Lola.

  “Not only does she go to church but she has been taking piano and organ lessons and plays the music every Sunday,” said Aunt Lulu.

  “Where is she now?” asked Lola.

  “Working, working at the church and food bank,” replied Aunt Lulu.

  “She will be coming home shortly,” said Aunt Lulu.

  At that moment, a car putted up and it was Zola. She was still beautiful. With her was a young boy. He looked like Kevin. Zola walked in and was greeted by her aunt in the foyer.

  “Lola is here. I have told her about your new life but it is your responsibility to explain to her about your leaving and reason for leaving. Derik will also need to be explained. Tell her the truth and let her decide what your relationship will be in the future. As you know she is in trouble with the law. She knows that you have been subpoena to testify on her behalf. This is your chance to make up for years of lost love of your family,” said Aunt Lulu.

  As Zola walked into the living room, Lola ran over to her and started hugging her mother. “Mom, Mom, I love you and have missed you,” said Lola.

  Tears were flowing down from both of their eyes. It was so wonderful that Aunt Lulu was also crying. Derik looked up and asked, “Who is this lady?”

  “This is your sister. Her name is Lola,” said Zola.

  Good smells were coming from the kitchen. “Let’s eat and afterwards we can talk,” said Aunt Lulu.

  The table was being set when Uncle Bert, who was Aunt Lulu’s husband, was coming through the door. He was surprised to see
Lola all grown up and looking just as beautiful as her mother.

  “Well, let’s eat and if I can help you ladies in any way, please ask for my help,” said Uncle Bert.

  Sitting in the living room, Zola started speaking. “My life was a mess. It was a mess from the time I was born. My parents lived a criminal life. I was raised by criminals. That is all I ever knew. I left that life but not my children or husband. I needed my family to be set free from a life of crime. Derik is your brother. I was pregnant with him when I left New Orleans. He had been one of the joys of my life. I pray that you and Kevin will accept him. He needs your love. He does not know of my past. One day, he can be told,” said Zola.

  “I knew that we would be together one day, but I did not know it would be because of my problems. My lawyer feels that I have a good chance of being found not guilty. My family history of criminal activity is my defense. ‘Criminal defense’ are the words that my lawyer is counting on that will set me free,” said Lola.

  “How is your brother?” asked Zola.

  “You will be very proud of him. He entered the seminary. He is planning on becoming a priest. He had a bumpy beginning but with Uncle Nick’s love and help, Kevin has turned his life around. He will be in court with Dad and other family members to testify on my behalf. You do know that everyone who testifies for the defense will be given total immunity. You will only be asked about the family and me as a child growing up,” said Lola.

  After a few days Uncle Bert, Aunt Lulu, Lola, and Derik all backed their things to go to Louisiana for Lola’s big day in court. They arrived early as requested by Mr. Wright.

  Nick and Eva were glad to see the whole gang. This was the first time the family was going to be together. This had never happened before. Lola’s problems with the law created a family for the first time. Kevin was going to arrive in two days and Nate would be arriving early in the morning.

  Lulu was a good swimmer and could not wait to get into the pool. “I have not been in a pool in many years. I can swim. As a young girl, we went swimming every day at twelve, noon, in the county pool located in the county park. The Red Cross gave lesson every summer,” said Lulu.

  Before you knew it, everyone was in the pool having fun and acting as if it was going to be the last time they would be together. The cook made a meal that was southern-style and they eat outside in the beautiful yard with a colorful, perfect garden.

  Kevin was concerned about his returning to Louisiana, so he paid a visit to his bishop.

  “In a few days, I will have to make a journey which will lead me back home where the devil was with me for many years. I need to have the ability to rise above and fight off the devil so that I can help my twin sister. She has been lost for many years but after this criminal complaint is resolved, I believe she will take a different path. After all, we have a common bond that I plan to use to help guide her to God. Bishop, I need your prayers to help me in my duty by God.”

  “I will pray with you but God will be your guide. This is God’s plan for you. Making you an ambassador for God was His plan the day you were born. As an ambassador, you will win in and out of court. For you, it was like crawling into church on your knees like an alcoholic who had fallen into that bottomless pit of hell. God saved you for this day. He stood at the opening of the pit and refused to let you fall. Now you are with Him,” said the bishop.

  Mr. Wright was up early in the morning of his meeting with the Harrison family. He knew he had to face this family and associates of criminals and develop a defense that the jurors could relate and understand.

  "Good morning, my name is Robert Wright. I am the lead attorney and Ted Johnson is my assistant. With your help, our criminal defense is going to win Lola a not-guilty decision. I understand her defense and believe in her. She had no control over the ancestral history of criminals that was her family. I would first like to tell you that everyone that testifies on her behalf has been giving total immunity. This means that you cannot be charged for anything that is discovered in court through your testimony.

  "Do not add anything about yourself that might connect you to any murders. Murder is not part of the immunity agreement. Answer the questions; do not add anything. I have documentation that will help the law to solve several cold cases for your immunity. I will call your name from the list.

  Nick Harrison (uncle)

  Zola Harrison (mother)

  Nate Harrison (father)

  Kevin Harrison (brother)

  Eva Harrison (aunt)

  Spook Jackson (partner)

  Johnny Jones (employee)

  Bruce Carson (employee)

  Lulu Dupree (aunt)

  Bert Dupree (uncle)

  I also have a doctor to testify.

  “Everyone here?” asked Bobby.

  “No,” said Nick. “Nate is not here. He is expected to be coming. I am sure he will be here for court.”

  “Is there any questions?” asked Bobby.

  “If not, this is the order. I want you to enter the courtroom. I believe the prosecutor has something up his sleeve. Therefore, I want to set the tone for this case. Nate and Zola, walk in together. Next, Nick and Eva. Kevin, Spook, Johnny, and Bruce will walk in by themselves. Lulu and Bert will walk in last together,” said Bobby.

  “Go home and get a good night’s sleep and have Father Kevin Harrison to pray for our success tomorrow and that maybe all your lives might change for the better,” said Ted.

  Ted looked over at Zola and said, “I feel you could use a friend. I have something I found out and I need to tell you and Bobby. Let’s go over to my home and have a bite to eat and I will tell the both of you. It might be good or it might be bad.”

  Ted ordered Chinese food and as they were eating, he said, “I hired an investigator to check into the prosecutor’s background. I did this because he appeared to have more knowledge about the Harrison family, more than what was in the discovery reports. Yesterday, I received a report on the good prosecutor. It appears that is from Harrisonville, NC. He is the same age as Redd. The investigator asked around town and found out that his father was the sheriff during the time Mr. Harrison, Redd’s father, arrived in the area from Ireland. In fact, the sheriff was the one who led the charge to chance the name of the town to Harrisonville after Redd’s father died. The sheriff became good friends with Redd, or he could be called his partner in crime. He was on Redd’s payroll. His name is in the ledger that Bobby’s father, Frank the accountant, kept. Now you can see how important this information can be. How it can be used, I do not know right now,” said Ted.

  The next day, Nate was not at the courthouse. Zola entered first by herself. Next, the rest of the group followed. They all sat together like one big happy family. The prosecutor kept looking as each one entered the courtroom. He did not know what Bobby and Ted had found out about him. In fact, he could have been on the witness list to tell the story about this family of criminals. His father was one of them.

  The judge entered the courtroom and everyone was ordered to rise. Within a few minutes after sitting down, Nate walked in. The prosecutor’s face turned red. He knew he was going to lose this case. Nate knew the prosecutor because he lived in Harrisonville longer than Nick. His father, the sheriff, was the person who told the boys to burn down his father’s home after he was murdered by Rita.

  “I will now hear the opening statements. Mr. Wright, you are first,” said the judge.

  “Excuse me, judge, but can we have a side bar?” asked the prosecutor.

  “The defense has elected to not have any jurors and to let you decide whether Lola is guilty or not. Can we go into your chambers for a short conference, judge?” asked the prosecutor.

  “After reviewing all the discovery information and the background of the witnesses, I have decided that the information supports Lola Harrison’s claim of mental defect and decease as her criminal defense is true. I would like for her to seek therapy for her mental problems as part of the settlement. Also, she is not allowe
d to take part in any form of illegal activities,” said the prosecutor.

  “Call Miss Harrison in and see if she agrees, and if so, all charges will be dropped,” said the judge.

  Lola entered the judge’s chambers slowly with her head bowed slightly. She knew this could be the end of her life. But for a brief moment, a small ray of hope passed before her. As she looked into the judge’s eyes, she knew that God was on her side.

  "Miss Harrison, all charges will be dropped if you agree to the following:

  Seek therapy for your illness and never surround yourself or get involved

  with any criminal activity," said the judge.

  “Yes, I agree. Thank you, judge,” said Lola.

  “Don’t thank me. Thank the prosecutor. This is his last case. Tomorrow he is retiring. I believe he will be moving back to a small town called Harrisonville in N.C.,” said the judge.

  Lola’s eyes opened wide and just as she was about to say something, Ted put his hand on her shoulder and led her out of the judge’s chambers.

  The judge came out and announced that all charges were dropped and the court was adjourned. Everyone stood up and clapped. As Lola walked out with Ted by her side, friends, relatives, and spectators all lined up as Lola walked down the hall and congratulated her on her victory.

  Lola looked at Ted and knew that this man was her savior. He had saved her from a life of shame and hopelessness. He was the man of her dreams. She felt just liked Nina when she saw Redd for the first time.

  ‘Was this history repeating itself? My life is still a mess. I first must get my life together before I hope to invite Ted to share it with me,’ thought Lola.

  Nate and Kevin were staying at the same hotel but the rest of the family was at Nick’s home. Nick said, “I want the family to have dinner at my place tonight. I have something to share with you.”

  Zola walked over to Nate and looked straight into his eye and said, “You are still good-looking and I still love you. I understand that you could never love me again after all that I put you through.”