013 – Her Scream

The jury is out for about two hours.  It is a good sign.  How could they conceivably convict someone of first degree murder in such a short time.  The evidence is not complex.  She gave the statement.  Where is the evidence of her shared intent.  I take hope.

The court officers bring Yvonne back into the courtroom.  They take off her handcuffs and she sits on my right side closest to the jury box.  Judge McDermott comes out onto the bench.  The court officer announces that the jury is entering the courtroom.

“Will the jurors and the defendant please remain standing,” he says.  It is the custom.

“Have the jurors reached a verdict?” asks the clerk, and they nod affirmatively.

“Will the court officer please hand me the verdict slip.”

The court officer walks up to the foreperson and takes the verdict slip from her.  She hands the paper to the clerk.  The clerk hands it to the judge.  The judge takes out his reading glasses and reads the verdict to himself and makes sure it is signed and filled in properly.  He hands it back to the clerk.  The clerk hands it back to the foreperson.  It is such an elaborate dance routine.

“Ladies and gentleman of the jury,” reads the clerk, “on indictment number seven one six nine four three zero charging the defendant Yvonne Smith with murder in the first degree what says the jury, guilty or not guilty, madam forelady?”

“Guilty,” says the foreperson.

“Guilty of what,” asks the clerk.

“Guilty of murder in the first degree,” says the forelady.

Yvonne’s scream is never forgotten.