Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ONEROUS (03/02/17)
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TITLE: Casey Freeman's Onerous Honor | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gerald Shuler
03/07/17 -
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“No, Your Honor.” he said in response to the judge's question. “I don't have legal representation.”
The judge grunted. “Grand Theft is a serious thing. It isn't a simple misdemeanor. Why didn't you get representation?”
“If all that is expected of me is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, Sir, I can do that without a lawyer.” Casey looked at the men sitting at the other table. All of them were smiling as if they had already won the verdict and Casey was going to jail.
“So be it then,” the judge said. “I would advise otherwise, but I'm going to proceed with the understanding that you have declined legal representation.” He motioned to the lawyer behind the other table. “Let's get this over.”
The attorney wasted no time. He quickly showed paperwork proving that Casey had rented expensive spray paint equipment for three days. He also showed that after two months the equipment had not been returned. All evidence showed that Casey had stolen all that equipment. After showing all his evidence, he turned to the judged.
“Your Honor, my client has been without this equipment for more than a month. It was retrieved, with police escort, from the basement of the house where Mr. Freeman had it hidden. I have no further questions.” He sat down.
“Well, you must be smarter than me,” the judge said, “because I still have a few questions that need to be asked. Mr. Freeman, did you have that equipment locked in a house?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Yes? You did?” The look of surprise on the judge's face could not be hidden. “Instead of taking it back when you were supposed to, you locked it away in a basement?”
“No, it wasn't me that locked it up. The people I was working for locked it up and went on a vacation to Europe for the summer. I didn't know they were leaving until I saw the note he left on the basement door telling me when he would be back. I told the rental store right away so he would know the equipment would be returned.”
“So the owner knew this all along?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The judge looked at the store owner. “You knew this?”
“Your Honor,” the owner stood to his feet. “I have been in the rental business for twenty three years. I've seen every kind of scam there is and I wasn't about to let equipment get lost just because Mr. Freeman came to me with a sob story.”
“Did you try to make arrangements with him?”
“That would have just given him time to move the stolen equipment out of state. I would never have seen him or the equipment again... or the money that was promised.”
Casey was actually feeling guilty just listening to how bad people had been. The truth chain didn't seem to be working.
“I've heard enough.” The Judge grabbed his gavel. “This case should have never been brought to court. This man has done all he can to do the right thing and still he is being accused of theft.” The Judge's gavel hit his desk, with more force, perhaps, than was needed. “This case is dismissed. Mr. Freeman, you are free to go.”
The other attorney stood to his feet, probably to protest, but the Judge motioned him to sit back down.
“Furthermore,” the Judge continued, “He tried to make payments that were refused. He has done his part and owes nothing to the rental store.” He looked at the store owner. “Sir, remember this incident. This is how it will always be when you deal with honest men. Case dismissed.”
Casey walked out of the courtroom and into the sunlight. The heavy chain of telling the truth had become a light burden indeed. He had been taught correctly. The truth WILL set you free.
(True Story)
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