Read Online Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham - Free Book Online
Authors: John Grisham
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Theo was attempting to explain this when Deputy Gossett opened the door to a long, wood-paneled room with old portraits of old bearded judges covering the walls. Judge Gantry, without his black robe, rose from behind his desk and stepped out to meet the boys.
“Hello, Theo,” he said, embarrassing Theo slightly. The other students were too awestruck to speak.
“And you must be Mr. Mount,” the judge was saying as they shook hands.
“Yes, Judge, and this is my eighth-grade Government class.”
Since there were not enough seats for everyone, Judge Gantry addressed the boys where they stood. “Thank you for coming. It’s important for students to see our judicial system in action. What do you think so far?”
All sixteen boys were mute. What were they supposed to say?
Mr. Mount rescued them. “They are fascinated by the trial,” he said. “We just debriefed over lunch, rated the lawyers, talked about the jurors, and had a lot of opinions about guilt and innocence.”
“I won’t ask. But we have a couple of pretty good lawyers, don’t you think?”
All sixteen heads nodded.
“Is it true that Theo Boone actually gives legal advice?”
A few nervous laughs. Theo was both embarrassed and proud. “Yes, but I don’t charge them anything,” he said. A few more laughs.
“Any questions about the trial?” Judge Gantry asked.
“Yes, sir,” Brandon said. “On television you always see a surprise witness that comes out of nowhere and changes the trial. Is there a chance of a surprise witness here? If not, it seems like the State has a pretty weak case.”
“Good question, son. The answer is no. Our rules of procedure prohibit surprise witnesses. Television gets it all wrong. In real life, before the trial starts, each side must provide a list of all potential witnesses.”
“Who’s the first witness?” Jarvis asked.
“The victim’s sister, the lady who found the body. She’ll be followed by the homicide detectives. How long can you stay today?”
“We need to be back at school at three thirty,” Mr. Mount said.
“Okay. I’ll call a recess at three, and you can ease out. How are the seats up in the balcony?”
“Great, and thank you.”
“I’ve moved you down to the floor. Things have cleared out a bit. Again, thanks for taking such an interest in our judicial system. It’s very important to good government.” With that, Judge Gantry was finished. The students thanked him. He and Mr. Mount shook hands again.
Deputy Gossett led them out of chambers, back to the courtroom, down the main aisle, and to the second row behind the prosecution’s table. In front of them were the two young men who’d been introduced as Mrs. Duffy’s sons. The lawyers were only a few feet away. Across the aisle, Omar was now sitting behind Pete Duffy, his black eyes darting around the courtroom as if he might need to shoot someone. Once again, he looked directly at Theo.
They had gone from the cheap seats to ringside, and they couldn’t believe it. Chase, the mad scientist, was to Theo’s right, elbow to elbow. He whispered, “Did you pull some strings, Theo?”
“No, but Judge Gantry and I are pretty tight.”
“Nice work.”
At precisely 1:00 p.m., the bench bailiff stood and wailed, “Court is now in session. Please remain seated.”
Judge Gantry appeared in his robe and took his seat. He looked at Jack Hogan and said, “The State may call its first witness.”
From a side door, another bailiff escorted a well-dressed lady into the courtroom and to the witness chair. She placed her hand on a Bible and swore to tell the truth. When she was seated and the microphone adjusted, Mr. Hogan began his direct examination.
Her name was Emily Green, the sister of Myra Duffy. She was forty-four, lived in Strattenburg, worked as a fitness counselor, and on the day of the murder she had done exactly what Mr. Hogan described in his opening statement. When her sister didn’t show for lunch, and didn’t
“Hello, Theo,” he said, embarrassing Theo slightly. The other students were too awestruck to speak.
“And you must be Mr. Mount,” the judge was saying as they shook hands.
“Yes, Judge, and this is my eighth-grade Government class.”
Since there were not enough seats for everyone, Judge Gantry addressed the boys where they stood. “Thank you for coming. It’s important for students to see our judicial system in action. What do you think so far?”
All sixteen boys were mute. What were they supposed to say?
Mr. Mount rescued them. “They are fascinated by the trial,” he said. “We just debriefed over lunch, rated the lawyers, talked about the jurors, and had a lot of opinions about guilt and innocence.”
“I won’t ask. But we have a couple of pretty good lawyers, don’t you think?”
All sixteen heads nodded.
“Is it true that Theo Boone actually gives legal advice?”
A few nervous laughs. Theo was both embarrassed and proud. “Yes, but I don’t charge them anything,” he said. A few more laughs.
“Any questions about the trial?” Judge Gantry asked.
“Yes, sir,” Brandon said. “On television you always see a surprise witness that comes out of nowhere and changes the trial. Is there a chance of a surprise witness here? If not, it seems like the State has a pretty weak case.”
“Good question, son. The answer is no. Our rules of procedure prohibit surprise witnesses. Television gets it all wrong. In real life, before the trial starts, each side must provide a list of all potential witnesses.”
“Who’s the first witness?” Jarvis asked.
“The victim’s sister, the lady who found the body. She’ll be followed by the homicide detectives. How long can you stay today?”
“We need to be back at school at three thirty,” Mr. Mount said.
“Okay. I’ll call a recess at three, and you can ease out. How are the seats up in the balcony?”
“Great, and thank you.”
“I’ve moved you down to the floor. Things have cleared out a bit. Again, thanks for taking such an interest in our judicial system. It’s very important to good government.” With that, Judge Gantry was finished. The students thanked him. He and Mr. Mount shook hands again.
Deputy Gossett led them out of chambers, back to the courtroom, down the main aisle, and to the second row behind the prosecution’s table. In front of them were the two young men who’d been introduced as Mrs. Duffy’s sons. The lawyers were only a few feet away. Across the aisle, Omar was now sitting behind Pete Duffy, his black eyes darting around the courtroom as if he might need to shoot someone. Once again, he looked directly at Theo.
They had gone from the cheap seats to ringside, and they couldn’t believe it. Chase, the mad scientist, was to Theo’s right, elbow to elbow. He whispered, “Did you pull some strings, Theo?”
“No, but Judge Gantry and I are pretty tight.”
“Nice work.”
At precisely 1:00 p.m., the bench bailiff stood and wailed, “Court is now in session. Please remain seated.”
Judge Gantry appeared in his robe and took his seat. He looked at Jack Hogan and said, “The State may call its first witness.”
From a side door, another bailiff escorted a well-dressed lady into the courtroom and to the witness chair. She placed her hand on a Bible and swore to tell the truth. When she was seated and the microphone adjusted, Mr. Hogan began his direct examination.
Her name was Emily Green, the sister of Myra Duffy. She was forty-four, lived in Strattenburg, worked as a fitness counselor, and on the day of the murder she had done exactly what Mr. Hogan described in his opening statement. When her sister didn’t show for lunch, and didn’t
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