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“I can’t call it. Hopefully, not long.”
* * *
We receivedthe call the next afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict.
Averie was at her office, so we met at the courthouse.
“Okay,” Averie said as we all found our seats at the table in the courtroom. “We are hoping for a not guilty verdict on all the charges. If by chance they do find you guilty, we will file the appeal paperwork immediately, okay?”
Both Princeton and Deyshonda nodded their heads.
“All rise,” the bailiff called out. “The Court of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session, the Honorable Willie E Williams presiding.”
We all sat down after the judge took his seat.
“Have you reached a verdict?” The judge asked the jury.
“We have your honor,” the jury foreperson responded.
“What say you?”
The foreperson read off each charge, and after every single one she read, “not guilty.”
Averie turned to me, and we hugged briefly before turning to everyone else at the table and hugging them.
I owe her a lot for getting us this verdict.
Averie
We went back to Valentine Law to celebrate the verdict. Everyone was in a great mood, and it was Friday! It was the perfect way to start the weekend. Food was ordered in. Champagne was floating around, and everyone was feeling good.
I didn’t know how the jury was going to find, but I am so glad they went with not guilty. I think the nail in the coffin of the DA’s case was when the dirty cop told on himself. I didn’t think that’s what he was going to say but I am so glad he did.
“Averie,” Princeton and Deyshonda came over to me holding their children’s hands. “This is our son Princeton Junior and our daughter, Princess. Say hello to Ms. Averie,” Deyshonda instructed.
“Hi, Ms. Averie,” Princeton Junior’s smile was big and front teeth-free.
“Hi, Princeton. It’s very nice to meet you,” I returned and shook his little hand.
“Princess, I’ve heard a lot about you,” I smiled.
“I’m famous in these streets, so I’m not surprised,” she waved her little hand in the air.
I wanted to fall over laughing, but I didn’t know if encouraging her was the right thing to do.
“Princess!” Deyshonda scolded. “What did I tell you about greeting people?”
Princess returned with a dry, “Nice to meet you, Ms. Averie.”
“Nice to meet you too, Princess,” I smiled while still trying to keep my laughter at bay.
“Kelly, can you take them over to the cake table?” Princeton spoke to a woman standing behind them.
She stepped up and took both children’s hands and led them away.
“Kelly is my younger sister and helps with the kids,” Deyshonda explained.
“We really want to thank you for all the hard work you put in to make this verdict happen. We are forever in your debt. If there is anything you ever need from us, don’t hesitate to ask,” Princeton finished then gave me a hug.
