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“Yes. I mean, he wasn’t family. He’d only worked for my parents about a year.”
“Now, do you have any direct knowledge that your father actually told Jerome Washington that he was going to leave something of value to him in his will?”
Battle rose. “We already established that under the principle of res gestae.”
Jack said, “Well, I was never any good with Latin, so I just thought I’d try old-fashioned English.”
The courtroom erupted into laughter, with DuBose, Pearl, and Jerome joining in. Even Battle managed a grudging chuckle. DuBose turned to see Hilly smiling proudly at her son’s quick wit.
Ambrose said, “Go ahead and answer, Mr. Randolph. In English.”
“No. I have no direct knowledge of that.”
“Thank you. Now, you are in desperate need of money, are you not?”
Battle stood. “Objection. Relevancy?”
DuBose rose and said, “Your Honor, this is the commonwealth’s witness, meaning we can treat him as a hostile one. And we have every right, in trying to show reasonable doubt, that other people had motive to kill the Randolphs. I can cite you ten Virginia Supreme Court opinions that back me up on that point. And your denying our right to do so will guarantee a swift appeal, which we will seek immediately depending upon your ruling.”
DuBose stared at Ambrose, and the judge stared right back at her.
Come on, thought DuBose, who had been intentionally provocative with her words to the judge. Show yourself. You know you want to, Jim Crow.
However, before Ambrose could respond, Battle said, “I withdraw my objection.”
“Get on with it, Mr. Lee,” barked Ambrose, who then shot DuBose another withering look. “But you watch how you address this court, you—” He seemed to catch himself, glanced at the reporters, and added, “I have treated you with respect this whole time, and all I ask is for you to do the same, Miss DuBose.” He tacked on a forced smile.
“Of course, Judge. Just trying to be an effective advocate for my client.”
Jack continued. “You were in need of money, correct?”
Randolph replied, “I... I could use money, yes.”
“And did you expect an inheritance from your parents’ estate upon their deaths?”
“Of course I did.”
“But under the terms of their will, you didn’t get it, did you?”
“No.”
“But you didn’t know that before they were killed, correct?”
“Are you implying that—” sputtered Randolph.
“Just answer the question,” interrupted Jack.
Randolph eyed the judge, who said dully, “Answer the question, sir.”
“No, I was not aware of the contents of their will until after they died.”
“And where were you when your parents were killed?”
“I was at home.”
“Alone?” asked Jack.
“Yes.”
