AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s all good, kid.”
“I know they gonna throw the book at me when I come back.”
“They might not, now that you have been acquitted of the murder charges and also I got the attempted murder charges knocked down to aggravated assault. Let’s just see what happens. But I wouldn’t worry about that just yet. I’ll do what I can for you.”
“A’ight, thanks again, man.”
“Look . . . be good in there, and you’ll back on the streets before you know it. Call me if you need anything.” Kendall shook his hand before the bailiff came to take him away.
“Thanks, man,” Dante said over his shoulder, while walking away with the bailiff.
***
Meanwhile, Diamond, in solitary confinement in a straight jacket, lay on the floor talking to herself. “My prince will come rescue me. Here I am, Prince Charming. Come and get me. I have been waiting for you,” she said.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Two Months Later
Dante stood before the same Judge Fritz to be sentenced on the charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, eluding police, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charge of possession of a firearm was thrown out of court because a weapon was never found.
The courtroom housed only minimal spectators. It wasn’t like it had been when Dante and his mother were on trial only months prior. There were no reporters or photographers there. In fact, it was quiet and surreal in the courtroom.
It didn’t take the jury long to deliberate at all.
Kyle, there to give his brother support, sat in the first row behind the defense table, and Prosecutor Swartz and her team sat at their table awaiting the sentencing as well.
“On one count of aggravated assault on a police officer, you are sentenced to a minimum for first offense of one hundred and eighty days, not to exceed a maximum of three hundred and sixty-five days.
“On the one count of eluding police you are sentenced to a minimum for first offense of one hundred and eighty days, not to exceed a maximum of three hundred and sixty-five days.”
Dante groaned and held his head low. He just knew Kendall was gonna be able to get him off just like he did before, but with the numbers the judge throwing at him, he felt he was gonna die in jail. Dante didn’t have any knowledge of jail-time numbers, but it sounded bad to him.
“Each sentence will run concurrently. Your sentence amounts to three hundred and sixty
days, not to exceed seven hundred and thirty,” Judge Fritz announced.
Dante thought he was gonna pass out. He couldn’t even count up in his head how many years that was. All he knew was, it was a long time. He wanted to cry like a baby, but he didn’t. He stood there and waited for Judge Fritz to finish shuffling through pages he was looking at.
Dante leaned over and whispered to Kendall, “Yo, man, how long is five hundred days?”
Kendall laughed after seeing Dante’s face turn pale with sickness. “You only gotta do a little under a year if you stay outta trouble in there. The rest you will do on parole when you come out.”
“Well, why didn’t he just say that? Spitting numbers at me like that sounded like a hell of a lot of time.”
“I know, kid.”
“With your time already served, you will do the remaining two hundred forty days and then be released. But you will do three hundred and sixty-five days of parole and report to your parole officer faithfully.” Judge Fritz looked over the top of his glasses at Dante. “Consider yourself a lucky young man. When you get out, do something positive with your life. You are still a young man and still have a chance to make a change.” Judge Fritz banged his gavel.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Kendall said.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Dante said as well.
Before the court officers took Dante back to his cell, he turned to shake Kyle’s hand. “Have you heard anything about my mother?”
“Yes.” Kyle looked over at Kendall, not sure if he should tell Dante the full story.
Kendall shook his head, letting Kyle know it was OK to tell him.
