The Cascading, Book II: Fellow Girl

by CW Ullman

  CHAPTER XV

  When My Ling decided not to testify again, Judge Ukrit asked if the defense and the Crown were ready for closing arguments. Both sides agreed so the crown went first.

  Prosecutor Lek stood, looked at Judge Ukrit, and almost whispered, “You have a difficult decision to make.” He paced from behind his table and lifted his voice. “Frankly, Your Honor, Waraporn Montri was a horrible human being and probably deserved to die… Had the courts been given the chance to try him, possibly convict him, the Crown would have enforced the proper punishment; that is our job. We take enforcing the law very seriously, because we are not a country of gangs, or mobs, or vigilantes. We are a country of laws and this is what we were appointed to do; uphold the law.

  “During this trial we were told Waraporn Montri was killed for his deeds, but if that were true, why was he robbed? If killing him was the paramount mission of My Ling Nyguen, why did she rob him? She had money, why did she need his? Did she kill him for the money and then tell everyone it was because of what he may have done ten years before?

  “The question one has to ask is why did she come back here? She said it was to inform the world of child abuse and child prostitution. Most of us have known of these problems long before My Ling Nyguen arrived and announced them to the world. Maybe she doesn’t know our great national police force has been trying to eradicate these misdeeds for years. But My Ling Nyguen shows up with a half million supporters to do what? Make sure we get the message? Is the real message that My Ling Nyguen is running for office and trying to intimidate and threaten the government with her supporters? Is it possible that in her rush to heroine status she did not think her plan all the way through and is about to find out that we take the rule of law over mob rule?

  “Your Honor, I think this is nothing more than grandstanding. She could have stayed in America with her famous American actress friends where they could have had tea together. But no, she came to Thailand to be adored by the press and elevated to saint status when, in truth, she is a murdering thief.

  “Our duty here today is to let the citizens of Thailand know that vigilantism is against the law and that taking another person’s life can only happen in self-defense.

  “In closing, Your Honor, I would like you to consider this: it was ten years between the time Waraporn Montri supposedly did those horrible deeds and the time My Ling Nyguen killed him. In those ten years, did she call the police for help? No. Did she try to get help to hold him? No. Did he threaten her before she killed him? No. Did she kill him for revenge? Maybe. Was it for money? Yes! Was it for fortune and fame? Absolutely.” Lek paused and then intoned, “The Crown rests.”

  My Ling’s attorney, Somchai, took notes while Lek spoke, leaned into My Ling and said, “Wish me luck,” and waited for Ukrit to call him.

  Judge Ukrit addressed Somchai, “Counselor?”

  Somchai stood and addressed Ukrit, “My Ling Nyguen is not proud for the killing of Waraporn Montri,” which came as news to My Ling who was very proud of shooting him. “But the truth is, he knew he deserved it because he did not put up a fight or beg for his life. He knew that he had raped and killed not just her, but many. He knew that he had sold women and children into bondage and Montri, if he had survived, knew that the money that My Ling Nyguen took from him was not his, because his entire miserable life he had stolen people’s boats, monies, children, and lives.

  “As Prosecutor Rattanakosin says, we are a nation of laws and in normal circumstances My Ling Nyguen is a law abiding citizen. She has killed no one else but Mr. Montri.” My Ling thought of the others who died by her hand. “She has taken money from no other but this man with a criminal history. She is accused by the prosecutor of running for political office, but she is not a Thai citizen and cannot hold political office. So, the question that faces the court is why did she come back to Thailand and voluntarily face these charges? Why did a half million people come to support her? Is it possible that they may have faced the same injustices that My Ling Nyguen has faced and they want to be heard?

  “Your Honor, every day people call on the police to right wrongs done to them. Every day people ask for help, yet they go unheard. It is not who is on trial, but what is on trial.

  “Had My Ling Nyguen, ten years, ago gone to the police in Markham District, what do you think would have happened? Mr. Montri was a village elder; do we really think the police would have arrested him? What proof did she have of his wrong doing ten years before? It would have been her word against Montri?

  “Whom does My Ling Nyguen turn to for help? Mr. Rattanakosin says the law never got to hear charges against Mr. Montri because My Ling Nyguen took the law into her own hands. The real question is not why did she do that, but why did she have to? Rape charges are seldom tried in this country.”

  Judge Ukrit interrupted, “Mr. Neelaphaijit, I want to remind you that the Thai justice system is not on trial here; Mrs. Nyguen is.”

  Somchai answered, “Yes, Your Honor, but her frustration with the legal system’s failure to mete out justice and protect its citizens is why she killed a man who murdered many people with impunity. All the people that died by the hand of Waraporn Montri cannot testify against him. From My Ling Nyguen’s testimony and that of Miss Di.u Ly we know of the killings of at least two mothers and two entire crews from two fishing boats. How many more would Montri have gone on to kill if My Ling Nyguen had not acted? It is at the heart of this frustration that she acted out. She ended the life of a serial murder and she should be thanked.”

  The court room reacted to the last comment and Judge Ukrit gaveled the room to order as prosecutor Lek objected.

  “Your Honor, the last time I looked at the docket Mrs. Nyguen was on trial, not Mr. Montri,” Lek offered.

  “Sustained,” Judge Ukrit announced. “Counselor, let’s focus on the trial at hand and settle the ills of the world another time.”

  “This court represents the justice system of Thailand, and My Ling Nyguen’s case presents a chance for justice to be served,” Somchai countered. He slowly paced the floor, looking at My Ling, then Ukrit and then the people in the room.

  “Your Honor, My Ling Nyguen’s fate is in the hands of this court; she is seeking justice. My Ling Nyguen is responsible for the death of Waraporn Montri. She is responsible for taking his money; those are the facts. If she is convicted of murder, if she is convicted of robbery, than she is denied the one thing you hold in your hands: justice.”

  When Somchai said “justice,” the gallery applauded. Judge Ukrit gaveled the court to order.

  “Are you finished, Mr. Neelaphaijit?” Ukrit asked.

  “Yes, Your Honor,” Somchai replied.

  “We’ll reconvene tomorrow morning at ten for the court’s decision. Court is adjourned,” Ukrit ordered. He wanted to give his decision tomorrow, so everyone had a chance to digest the lawyers’ closing arguments.

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  The following morning Judge Ukrit sat in his chambers reading his decision with a picture of his daughter and the letter from his doctor on his desk. He looked up at the clock and waited for the bailiff. He was comfortable with his decision and the profound affect it was going to have on the country he loved. The bailiff knocked on the door, Ukrit grabbed his judgment and the picture of his daughter, and went to the courtroom.

  The gallery was packed and the edges of the room were lined with police. My Ling and Somchai were quiet and resigned, and Lek was nervous. The bailiff stood at the door and announced the case of Thailand versus Nyguen with The Honorable Ukrit Mongkolnavin presiding. Ukrit strode to his seat and gaveled the court to order.

  “Ending another’s life is a very serious offense and this is where I must start,” Ukrit said, taking the breath completely out of Somchai. “What does it mean if we are allowed to execute people we don’t like, who have done us wrong, or kill people who are just despicable? It is wrong, it is against the law, and we are a country of laws. The killer must be held accountable for their actions,
in this case that would be My Ling Nyguen.

  “However, the victim in this case, Waraporn Montri, was most likely guilty of similar actions, if we are to believe the testimony of Mrs. Nyguen and Di.u Ly, and I do believe them.”

  The prime minister and the chief of the Thai National Police, in separate offices, moved to the edge of their seats with Judge Ukrit’s pronouncement. Prosecutor Lek’s throat tightened and they all wondered where Ukrit was going with his statement.

  “I believe the accounts of hell that these two women were subjected to by Waraporn Montri. One can only imagine that as an adult it would have been horrifying, yet these two were merely children; which made me think of my daughter. Ladies and gentlemen, for a moment think of your daughters having to endure months of what we heard in sworn testimony. Would we be justified in taking Waraporn Montri’s life; not only justified, but would it be our moral obligation to rid the world of this man for the protection of our families? I believe in my heart it would.

  “Prosecutor Rattanakosin suggested that My Ling Nyguen might be using this trial to focus the world’s attention on child prostitution, child trafficking and the disregard of the police in these matters.” That bought the chief of Thai’s National Police out of his chair as he watched on television in his office. “These stories are in the press on an almost a daily basis, yet nothing happens. I believe My Ling Nyguen came to Thailand as a service to this country and to focus attention on these abuses.”

  Judge Ukrit’s next statement angered the prime minister. “Because these children cannot vote, does the government of Thailand not pay attention to them? Are the politicians listening to the cries of these children, because if they were listening, I don’t think people like My Ling Nyguen would have to kill people like Waraporn Montri?”

  My Ling could not have imagined someone making her case against child trafficking better than she could, yet Judge Ukrit was doing just that.

  The chief of police had earlier dispatched a force to encircle the half million natives at Assumption University. He had been prepared for a guilty verdict and the subsequent fall out. Now, hearing the judge, he imagined his men policing a celebration.

  “But today I have to pass judgment on the merits of this case,” Ukrit looked down at My Ling and Somchai and asked them to stand.

  “In the case of Thailand versus My Ling Nyguen in the matter of robbing Waraporn Montri in 1985, this court finds you guilty.” The gallery reacted and Judge Ukrit gaveled them to order. After a minute of silence he continued.

  “In the matter of the killing of Waraporn Montri in 1985, this court finds you guilty of first degree murder and sentences you to death by firing squad. May God have mercy on your soul. Bailiff, take the defendant into custody. Court is adjourned.”

  A rupture rent the societal fabric of Bangkok. The native Southeast Asians at Assumption University now were almost all men. The women and children, during the darkness of night, had slowly withdrawn to another location. Many of the men had dressed in feminine attire and wore non la hats and held dolls that appeared to be children wrapped in blankets. When the guilty verdict was announced, they rushed the lines of police, who were not prepared for the human wave assault that overran them. The police were so stunned by the swift ferocity of the attack they were unable to get off any shots.

  The planning committee had not been paying attention the night before because they were focused on the trial, so they were unaware of the exodus of the women and children. Little My Ling wanted to address the crowd, urging calm, but the platform began taking gunfire. The Americans grabbed her, forced her into a building, and huddled in one of the classrooms.

  “We have to get to the American Embassy,” Charlie yelled.

  “I can calm them down,” Little My Ling urged.

  “It’s not them I’m worried about,” Charlie replied. “The cops are firing at the stage and will eventually come after you. We gotta get to the embassy.”

  They moved through the halls of the school. Charlie found a phone and called the embassy.

  “Yes, sir. She’s right here,” Charlie turned to Little My Ling. “The ambassador wants to talk to you.”

  Little My Ling answered, “Yes…yes, I remember. Okay…bye.” She addressed the group, “When I was here in ’85, the ambassador showed us a back alley from the campus to the embassy compound. He’s going to send a marine contingent to meet us. We’ll need to leave here through the side entrance.” She stopped and looked at everyone, “He said people are getting killed, so we have to be careful.”

  Thanh spoke up, “Keep your guns handy, but do not shoot. We’re going to roll through this like I did with Cin. Even if it looks like these guys are going to fire, chances are they won’t. Little My Ling, you’re second behind the Green Berets on point, I’ll take the rear.” He looked at the Special Forces from Oklahoma,” We have to keep the group together and moving.” They nodded and Thanh continued, “Let’s roll.”

  When they got to the end of the darkened hall, they saw a police command unit on the other side of the door. They backed up against the wall.

  “Follow me one at a time when they’re not looking,” Little My Ling said.

  In the chaos, they moved around the unit and escaped to the alley.

  “This alley is about a mile long; we’re going to run the length of it. Can we keep up?” Little My Ling asked.

  They all looked at Mike Wellington who was the heaviest.

  “Great,” Mike kidded. “Everybody look at the fat guy. I’ve been working out; don’t worry about me,” Mike said.

  Thanh added “If you see people down in the street, for whatever reason, do not stop”

  Thanh went to the head of the line and yelled, “Go!”

  Little My Ling ran first, followed by fifteen people. Once outside, Thanh was surprised to see how many people had been hit with gunfire. Some were police and some were native people. The group moved quickly when they encountered a child crying next to her dead mother. Rusty scooped her up. They connected with the marines three hundred yards from the embassy side gates and ran single file into the compound. The ambassador greeted them as they were ushered inside. Embassy staff asked if they needed anything.

  “I want to see my mother,” Little My Ling demanded.

  “We’ll see her tomorrow. I requested visitation as soon as I heard the verdict. We’ll do all that we can,” the ambassador replied. He then continued, “If you want to help the situation, you need to get your people to stop rioting. They’re playing into the government’s hands.”

  “After I see my mother,” Little My Ling insisted.

  “May I speak to you alone?” the ambassador inquired. Little My Ling nodded and they went to another room.

  “What is your goal here…your mother’s intention?” he asked.

  Little My Ling had to compose herself and remember their purpose. “Number one: end child prostitution and trafficking. Number two: give the native Southeast Asians their voice.”

  “It may not feel like it, but right now is the time to drive your cause,” the ambassador counseled. “In the next room I have six reporters who want to interview you. Your words today will be the headlines tomorrow.”

  His voice seemed like background noise, because the echo of “guilty of first degree murder and death by a firing squad” was still reverberating in her mind. She was angry with her mother, but also frightened for her and the people who supported Tiger Girl.

  “Let’s go,” she said to the ambassador.

  The reporters were in the ambassador’s office watching television coverage of the trial and subsequent riot. When they caught sight of Little My Ling, they rushed forward, peppering her with questions. My Ling hung her head for a moment and worked up tears. When a sufficient flow was initiated, she raised her head and held her hand up to halt the questions.

  “My mother was just convicted of murder and my heart is broken. Please,” Little My Ling begged.

  The ambassador was in awe of this
girl who just went from steely determination to a vulnerable, innocent orphan in a moment. He watched as the reporters eyes mist over witnessing Little My Ling’s tears.

  “You’d have to know my mother to understand how much she cares about children,” Little My Ling offered. “She knew she ran the risk of being convicted for the killing of Montri, but she felt the time had come to end child prostitution. I tried to talk her out of coming here, but she insisted because women victimized by rape needed her to speak for them and their daughters,” She paused and let her tears hit the floor.

  “Are you going to see her?” a reporter asked.

  “As soon as I’m allowed,” Little My Ling sighed. One of the women reporters reached out to hold her hand.

  “I have to go,” Little My Ling paused, “…when will mothers stand up for their daughters in this country? What happened to my mother can happen to any girl. This is not a crime that happens just to poor children; my mother came from privilege.” She looked up as the photographer’s flashes caught her full face. “It happens because we let it happen. It must end now.”

  Little My Ling gave them the headline they were looking for: IT MUST END NOW! Every newspaper ran stories of the verdict and the challenge to the females of Thailand side-by-side. They carried reports of the riot and they also stated that Little My Ling was going to speak that night.

  Little My Ling was allowed to visit her mother, and was surprised to find her upbeat. Still the sight of her in a cell made Little My Ling cry. Her mother soothed her.

  “This is when we need to be strong. Do you know what you’re going to say tonight?” My Ling asked.

  Her shocked daughter replied, “Mother, you were just sentenced to a firing squad. Can we give Tiger Girl a rest?”

  “What happens to me is not important; how we capitalize on this, is.” What she said next brought tears to both their eyes, “This is for your father…He guides us. He knew what these people suffered. We start protecting the youngest and they will protect the oldest. Don’t worry about me…” My Ling requested, as her daughter choked back tears. “Cin was the one who brought me to Tuyen and the orphanage. Di.u, Dao, and I lived in hell and we all know that too many girls are still living there…Keep them in your heart… Just remember them…”