Die Later

by Rahiem Brooks

  “Objection, Your Honor.”

  The Judge looked down at Barnswell with a blank face. He hoped there was more.

  “The defense is outlining facts that will be decided during a trial. His adverse comments in reference to the DEA are highly speculative and not an ounce of proof exists to prove this.”

  “Your Honor, I’ll strike those statements.”

  “Very well. Continue.”

  “I am not arguing here that Mr. Bezel did not plan and commit some of the acts alleged in the indictment. I am arguing, though, that he was acting according to the impulses of a diseased or impaired mind. Also, that the chief cause of his actions was a federal agent that this country trusted to uphold the law and take down goons who sold narcotics. Mr. Andre Bezel had not acted of his own volition; his life was controlled by this pathological corrupted federal agent who just so happens to be held without bail at the FDC just like Mr. Bezel. What we want to do is request a continuance. We’re asking for sufficient time to have Mr. Bezel interviewed by a defense and prosecution psychologist and have a CAT scan performed at an area hospital. It’s been said that some of Mr. Bezel’s brain problems may have been caused by multiple concussions while playing football at Upper Merion High School. We’ve submitted the reports from Child Guidance to illustrate for the Court the importance of this time to gather material that would certainly aide the Court in deciding whether or not the defense may plead guilty by reason of insanity. That’s all, Your Honor.”

  The judge shifted very gracefully in his chair and eloquently asked, “And to the timeliness?” That was the question of the day. “See, I am not hearing sufficient evidence that this material was not obtainable prior to two days of the commencement of trial. That bothers me and the record is just not filled with enough legal efficacy to grant this motion.”

  “Your Honor,” Greenburg said and walked back to his seat. He grabbed a piece of paper, waved it in the air, and said, “Your Honor, we requested this material for the Children’s Hospital in excess of thirty days ago. The record dates back 10 or more years and were archived in a building not connected to the person that I requested the materials from. Apparently, the records had to be ordered and tracked down in order to be produced today.”

  “I get that. I am just curious about the sudden arrival just before trial, Mr. Greenburg.” The judge grabbed a legal tome and opened it. He then said to Barnswell, “Your response.”

  “The insanity defense reflects a compromise on the part of society and the law. On the one hand, society believes that criminals should be punished for their crimes; on the other hand, society believes that people who are ill should receive treatment for their illness. That does not apply in the case at bar. The insanity defense is the compromise: basically, it reflects society's belief that the law should not punish defendants who are mentally incapable of controlling their conduct. That does not apply here. The prosecution has an overwhelming well of exhibits and testimony that illustrates the defendant had control of his actions and while they may have been encouraged by another person, he had control of his actions. There is absolutely no evidence that suggests the defendant was forced to do anything that he did not want to.

  “In 1984, Congress passed, and President Ronald Reagan signed, the Comprehensive Crime Control Act. The federal insanity defense now requires the defendant to prove, by ‘clear and convincing evidence,’ that ‘at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts’ (18 U.S.C. § 17). This is generally viewed as a return to the ’knowing right from wrong‘ standard. The statute also contained the Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1984, 18 U.S.C. § 4241, which sets out sentencing and other provisions for dealing with offenders who are or have been suffering from a mental disease or defect. Your Honor, certainly the defendant knew that his acts were wrong, and there’s no doubt that the defendant did not appreciate his crime. The tax evasion features of the indictment clearly outline how the defendant lived far outside of his means, along with Mr. Kareem Bezel.”

  “Objection.” Ravonne stood and barked.

  “Sustained, in as far as the prosecution cannot mention the acts of a defendant who is not at question. This is about the metal defect of Andre Bezel, and not Kareem Bezel, Mr. Barnswell.”

  “Yes, Your Honor,” Barnswell said and smiled at Ravonne. “The insanity defense reflects a compromise on the part of society and the law. On the one hand, society believes that criminals should be punished for their crimes; on the other hand, society believes that people who are ill should receive treatment for their illness. The insanity defense is the compromise: basically, it reflects society's belief that the law should not punish defendants who are mentally incapable of controlling their conduct.

  In the 18th century, the legal standards for the insanity defense were varied. Some courts looked to whether the defendant could distinguish between good and evil, while others asked if the defendant ’did not know what he did’. By the 19th century, it was generally accepted that insanity was a question of fact, which was left to the jury to decide. But I am asking for the Court to decide here, today, that this is an absurd tactic by the defense to turn this court into a circus, and the jury should not have to decide on this sort of foolishness.”

  “Mr. Greenburg, do you have anything else to add to your argument?”

  “No, Your Honor.”

  “Perfect.” He clasped his hands together and said, “I’ll rule on this in the morning prior to trial. I hate to do this, but I need you available for a telephone conference at 7:15. That’s a.m.”

  CHAPTER 42

  The United Airways flight landed at the TPA airport and Antoine was officially in Tampa, Florida. He grabbed his carryon bag and waited for his turn to exit the plane. He was calm and didn’t know what work needed to be done, but he was down. After ten minutes, he made his way off the plane and through the airport to Airside A. When he was on the ground level, he asked a skycap for directions to a cab.

  “Mr. Monroe,” a female cab driver called out. She caught Antoine’s attention and then said, “I am your driver for your stay. Come with me.”

  Antoine looked at the Dodge Charger skeptically. It was white and had taxi insignia on it, but he had never seen a Charger as a taxi. He looked around and saw several Dodges picking up passengers. I am in Tampa, Florida, he thought. Antoine had not been on a flight to another city in years. In Philadelphia there were a bunch of dingy cabs with dirty interiors and nasty drivers. But this was different.

  Antoine walked toward the cabbie, and stared at her hard sizing her up as he approached her. He walked around to the driver’s door and asked her who she was.

  “Again, I am here for you. I will be your personal driver, okay?”

  “No. I am not going with you. I am doing my own thing.”

  “Listen, sir. You just took a flight using a fake ID and the ticket was bought with a stolen credit card. Now get the fuck in the back before I turn this into a crime scene.”

  CHAPTER 43

  The Little White Wedding Chapel, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, was one of the most world-renowed wedding chapels. They have hosted a number of celebrity weddings there. Kareem Bezel and Latoya Eala was about to join Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy and Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in being wed at the chapel. Marquis applied for the marriage license online and paid the associated $60 fee. In Clark County, blood tests were not required, so there was no waiting period for that. Ergo, it would be a swift, nonreversible.

  The gazebo area was wonderfully decorated and surrounded by palm trees. The grass was covered by a white cloth and at the top was a life size figure of Elvis Presley. There was an archway at the entrance and rows of seating for 30, but the Bezel party had only four people who served as witnesses: Mary-Jean Bezel, Amir, Natasha, and Marquis. At the hotel, the women had helped Toi get ready for the moment that would change
her life, then they all took a limo to the chapel.

  Twenty minutes after they arrived, Kareem and Marquis arrived in another limo. They stepped outside and Kareem smiled at the sun.

  “This is very interesting. I am being married at a chapel and not at some elaborate cottage in England with 500 guests and a million dollar bill.”

  Marquis replied, “This was $60.”

  “Not quite. My Gucci suit was not cheap, and what is Toi wearing?”

  “You know that we handled that before she was sent off to the airport. She bought a lovely and expensive Karl Lagerfeld gown from Barney’s before I met up with you.”

  “And that costs?” Kareem asked laughing.

  “Um, nothing. You know I pulled a scam and brought it. I wrote a company check, which Rhonda kindly approved when I called her. The check declined, but the rep was so thirsty, he let me call the check company, but I called Rhonda and of course, she acted like the check company and approved the check.”

  “They’re still going for that?”

  “Man, when 10% commission is on the line, why not?”

  “So, I am getting married? This is unreal, man.”

  “Why?” Marquis said and straightened out Kareem’s tie. “You two were going to be married either way. There was no way that you were letting her go. And she was not going to let you go either.”

  “I know man, but she has been a pain in the ass. I have women throwing their ass at me every day. I don’t have to deal with Toi’s nagging.”

  “Man, you’re always going to have problems. Well, not always, but the grass ain’t greener. You have shared your life with Toi since high school and that you cannot change. You got to deal with her,,man. That’s just how it is.”

  “Man, I know and I feel bad about her being a casualty of my bullshit, and the miscarriage of the baby. Every time I look at the box with the baby pic and footprints, I feel so bad for her.”

  “It’s life, man. And for now you have to live this life. Let’s get in here, man. You have to get married.”

  “Damn, I am getting married and my parents are not here and my brother is in jail.”

  “Don’t worry. I paid for the most expensive photography package.”

  “Tell me that you did not do anything fraudulent for this.”

  “Nope, but I thought about it until I invited grand mom and Amir. I know that Tasha and Toi would have been down.”

  “You’re right ‘bout that,” Kareem said and smiled. “Hell, Mary and Amir too. I have that sort of influence.”

  “You do, man,” Marquis said and led Kareem into the chapel. “We have to cut through here to get to the gazebo. I booked an outside area at the chapel. Grandmom and Amir are seated. Tasha is the maid of honor, so she’s in the back with Toi, who I assume looks fabulous.”

  “Man, I can’t believe this is about to happen and my mom and dad are not here.”

  “This is just the first wedding. Please, I have already mentally planned the real one.”

  CHAPTER 44

  Latoya Eala looked lovely at the back of the aisle. Her face was not covered in a veil; she thought that was old-fashioned. Despite this not being her dream wedding, she was going to get as much out of it as she possibly could. Her gown was a sexy burgundy color, not the traditional white or off-white. She was not getting into that old-fashioned nonsense either. It was 2011 and she was being married like it was. So, no broom either!

  Jean-Mary, Tasha and Amir stood as Toi methodically waltzed down the aisle. Her smile was brilliant as she looked at Kareem. She was in love and hoped that she was making the move of her life. She had revealed her secret to Marquis and she was sure that he had discussed it with Kareem, and that they both would collectively work to get her out of the prosecutorial clutches. Chrisette Michele’s Golden played softly in the background as Toi made her way closer to Kareem and being Mr. Kareem Bezel. She inched closer and smiled at Jean-Mary and Tasha. She had a special love for both of them, and she had a bond with Tasha that was unique. They were both in love with the Bezel brothers.

  Toi discreetly scanned the gazebo as she glided through the black and white decorated chapel. It amazed her that the staff was able to get the place together and as close to her likings in such a short time. The staff had assured her that she would be taken care of and she was.

  When she reached the end of the walkway, she stopped and Kareem stood beside her in front of the minister. They continued to smile at each other romantically and intimately.

  The minister had everyone to sit and gestured for Marquis, the best man, to step back a tad. It took a few minutes for him to get through the perfunctory wedding remarks before he got to the meat and beans of solidifying the marriage.

  “Will you, Kareem Bezel, have Latoya Eala to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her and keep her, and forsaking all others, remain true to her as long as you both shall live?”

  Kareem said, “I will.”

  The minister asked the same question of Toi and she squeezed Kareem’s hand before she said, “I will.” It was joyous. It was like she had waited forever to say those words.

  Kareem was then asked by the minister to speak to his soon-to-be wife.

  Kareem faced Toi and held both of her hands. Softly in the background, In My Hands by Jaheim played. He felt a tear prepare to creep down his face. He had forced Toi to endure so much in her short life and some of the things he regretted, but that added to the fact that he unconditionally loved her.

  “Toi, since the first day I walked into Upper Merion High School, I knew that you were going to be my wife. I knew the ending. I just had to fill the novel with material to get me there. Yes, every day at Columbia was for you. Every job was for you. I modeled my clothing line, Bjorn Prodigy, to be as beautiful as you. I wanted to offer you the best and give you my heart like no other. And I have, and that’s why we are here today. I love you without condition and I promise from this day on to give you everything that I have been giving you and more, but as your husband.”

  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Toi had to gather herself to speak and it was difficult. That was a life-altering moment for her and she wanted it so badly and had to consolidate so much to say.

  When Toi was ready, she said, “Kareem, when I look in the mirror and see you behind me, I know that you’re not going to hurt me. I am confident that every step that you take, I am in mind and you’re not going to make any steps that will hurt me. I appreciate you. I adore that a part of you is steadily growing inside me. I am eager to share the rest of my life with you and I promise to be more than a wife to you.”

  “Beautiful,” the minister said and motioned for Marquis to hand the wedding rings to Kareem and Toi. Marquis smiled because that was the one thing that he had total control over. Neither the bride or groom were at the Cartier Boutique on Fifth Avenue to buy the rings. They each grabbed a ring, and slipped them on each other’s ring fingers.

  “Please repeat after me,” the minister said. He smiled at the two of them. “With this ring I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, ‘til death do us part.”

  Kareem couldn’t help but brush a tear from Toi’s eye.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Jean-Mary, Tasha and Amir cheered as Kareem and Toi kissed softly and intimately. Marquis walked down the aisle and spread flowers before the bride and groom.

  The entire wedding party and guests stood outside of the Little White Chapel and spoke in hushed tones. Jean-Mary hugged the bride and groom and could not believe that Kareem was married. He had made her more and more proud and she could not complain about the life that he had created for his entire family.

  “I have a gift for you, Toi,” Kareem said and walked towards the limo.

  Kareem walked and thought, I am a married man. Wow. What does life have in store for me now. I am 25 with a baby on the way and married. Geesh. Who would have ever though
t life would be what it is for me. I did it: college, job, and now family. He reached the limo and opened the cab area door. He peeked inside and found that the limo was not empty. A lone woman was inside with a gun pointed in his face.

  “Get inside. Don’t turn this wedding reception into a massacre, Mr. Bezel!”

  CHAPTER 45

  “Man, these dumb mutha fuckas got me in the SHU on some bullshit!” Dope Bezel yelled out of his cell to another inmate. He had just been locked back in his cell after talking with the prison SHU Lieutenant.

  “That’s crazy, man,” an inmate yelled back. “What them white folks talking ‘bout in the office?”

  “Pussy ass clowns got me in here because my son Dre caused a riot down in FDC Philly, and they think I’mma start some dumb shit up here. They scared as shit.”