Subj: What Could Have Been part 5/?
Date: 12/29/99 11:06:51 PM Central Standard Time
From: Kim D
What Could Have Been
By KimD
Part 5 of ?
Vicki arrived at the court, along with Julia, Carolyn and Elizabeth Stodard shortly before the arraignment was to begin. Roger was in London on business that he was unable to get away from, but called regularly to see what was going on.
The D.A. and Barnabas’s lawyer were already there, sitting at tables in the front of the courtroom. Barnabas’s lawyer was Ray Parks, who was recommended by the Collins family. While Ray reviewed his notes the D.A. was deep in conversation with Sheriff Patterson.
It wasn’t long before a guard escorted Barnabas into the courtroom. Barnabas entered with his head held low, stripped of all pride and dignaty.
Being led into the courtroom like a criminal was almost worse than being locked in jail. In jail he didn’t have to face the stares of strangers. He also felt that he was disgracing the family, even though they had all been kind and supportive.
Then it began. The judge entered the room and everyone rose. The judge was an older man whose brusque mannerisms seemed to say that he tolerated very little in his courtroom. “Barnabas Collins Hold up your hand,” the judge ordered in order to identify Barnabas to the court. At which point Barnabas slowly held up his right hand.
“Do you understand the charges against you?” the judge asked.
Ray answered for him that he did understand the charges. A copy of the criminal complaint was then handed to Barbabas and his Ray. “How do you wish to plead?” the judge asked.
“Not guilty,” Ray answered.
Vicki patiently waited through the rest of the arraignment for the judge’s decision about bail. She watched as Ray and the D.A. approached the bench to discuss the case. Finally the judge was ready to make a decision. There was to be a Grand Jury trial in four days to determine if there was enough evidence against Barnabas to face a felony charge. Barnabas would be allowed to speak in his own defense at the trial, which doesn’t always happen at a Grand Jury trial. As for bail he was to be remanded without bail.
During the ride back to Collinwood Vicki was absorbed
in her own thoughts. When the judge announced that Barnabas was to be remanded
without bail Vicki had want to proclaim his innocence to everyone in the court.
How they deny him bail? Ray had said that it was common in murder cases for
the judge to deny bail. He had hoped to use Barnabas’ family and position in
the community to convince the judge to set bail, but this judge had never made
it easy on anyone.