Wednesday morning. Six hours after leaving his office just after midnight, Robbie was back in the conference room preparing for another frantic1 day. The night had not gone well. The drinking session with Fred Pryor and Joey Gamble produced nothing, except an admission by Gamble that Mr. Koffee had indeed called and reminded him of the penalties for perjury2. Robbie had listened to the entire session. Pryor, who over the years had become masterful with his recording3 devices, had used the same pen mike and passed along their conversation through a cell phone. The sound quality was remarkable4. Robbie had enjoyed a few drinks along with them, in his office, with Martha Handler sipping6 bourbon and Carlos, the paralegal, drinking beer and monitoring the speakerphone. They all had enjoyed their booze for almost two hours, Joey and Fred in a fake saloon somewhere outside of Houston, and the Flak Law Firm hard at work at the office in the old train station. After two hours, though, Joey had had enough--even beers--and said he was tired of being pressured. He could not accept the reality that a last-minute affidavit7 signed by him would repudiate8 his testimony9 at trial. He did not want to call himself a liar10, though he stopped short of admitting he'd lied.
"Donte should not have confessed," he said several times, as if uttering a false confession11 were grounds enough for a death sentence.
But Pryor would shadow him throughout Wednesday and Thursday, if necessary. He believed there was still a slight chance, one that increased as the hours went by.
At 7:00 a.m., the firm gathered in the conference room for the daily briefing. All were present, all bleary-eyed and fatigued12 and ready for the final push. Dr. Kristi Hinze had worked through the night and finished her report. She summarized it briefly13 while everyone ate pastries14 and gulped15 coffee. The report was forty-five pages long, more than the court would want to read, but maybe enough to get someone's attention. Her findings surprised no one, at least no one within the Flak Law Firm. She described her examination of Donte Drumm. She had reviewed his medical and psychological history while in prison. She had read 260 letters he had written over the eight years he'd been on death row. He was schizophrenic, psychotic, delusional16, and depressed17 and did not understand what was happening to him. She went on to condemn18 solitary19 confinement20 as a means of incarceration21 and again labeled it as a cruel form of torture.
Robbie instructed Sammie Thomas to file their petition for relief with Dr. Hinze's report attached in full to the firm's co-counsel in Austin. Throughout the appellate process, all eight years of it, Robbie's firm had been assisted by the Texas Capital Defender22 Group, commonly referred to as the Defender Group, a nonprofit that represented about 25 percent of the inmates23 on death row. The Defender Group did nothing but capital appeals, and did so with great expertise24 and diligence. Sammie would send the petition and report electronically, and at 9:00 a.m. the Defender Group would file hard copies with the Court of Criminal Appeals.
With an execution looming25, the court was on alert and prepared to quickly address the last-minute filings. If they were denied, which they usually were, Robbie and the Defender Group could then run to federal court and fight their way up the mountain, hoping for a miracle at some point.
He discussed these strategies and made certain everyone knew what was to be done. Carlos would be in charge of the Drumm family the following day, though he would remain in Slone. He was to make sure they arrived at Polunsky on time for their final visit. Robbie would be there to make the final walk with his client and to witness the execution. Sammie Thomas and the other associate would remain at the office and coordinate26 the filings with the Defender Group. Bonnie, the paralegal, would stay in touch with the offices of the governor and the attorney general.
The request for a reprieve27 had been filed with the governor's office, and its denial was being awaited. The Kristi Hinze petition was ready to go. Unless and until Joey Gamble had a change of heart, there was no new evidence to make a fuss about. As the meeting dragged on, it became evident that there was little of substance left to do. The conversation waned28. The frenzy29 was beginning to subside30. Everyone was suddenly tired. The waiting had begun.
When Vivian Grale was elected to the bench in 1994, her campaign had been about high moral standards, putting the laws of God first, putting criminals in prison for even longer periods of time, and, of course, more efficient use of the death chamber31 down at Huntsville. She won by thirty votes. She defeated a wise and experienced judge by the name of Elias Henry, and she did so by cherry-picking several criminal cases in which Judge Henry had dared to show compassion32 for the accused. She splashed these around in ads that made him look like a coddler of pedophiles.
After her affair with Paul Koffee was exposed, after her divorce, and after she resigned and left Slone in disgrace, the voters repented33 and returned to Judge Henry. He was reelected without opposition34. He was now eighty-one years old and in declining health. There were rumors35 that he might not be able to finish his term.
Judge Henry had been a close friend of Robbie's father, who died in 2001. Because of this friendship, he was one of the few judges in East Texas whose blood pressure did not spike36 when Robbie Flak walked into the courtroom. Elias Henry was about the only judge Robbie trusted. At Judge Henry's invitation, Robbie agreed to meet in his chambers37 at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. The purpose of the meeting was not discussed on the phone.
"This case bothers me a great deal," Judge Henry said after a few pleasantries were out of the way. They were alone, in an old office that had changed little in the forty years Robbie had visited it. The courtroom was next door and empty.
"As well it should." They both had unopened bottles of water in front of them on a worktable. The judge, as always, wore a dark suit with an orange tie. He was having a good day, his eyes fierce and intense. There were no smiles.
"I've read the transcript38, Robbie," he said. "I started last week and I've read it all, and most of the appellate briefs as well. Taking a view from the bench, I can't believe Judge Grale allowed that confession into evidence. It was coerced39 and blatantly40 unconstitutional."
"It was, Judge, and it is. I won't defend her, but she had little choice. There was no other credible41 evidence. If she tossed the confession, then Koffee had nowhere to go. No conviction, no defendant42, no suspect, no dead body. Donte would have walked out of jail, which would have been front-page news. As you well know, Judge Grale had to face the voters, and judges don't get reelected in East Texas if they keep the law above politics."
"Tell me about it."
"Once he knew the confession would go to the jury, Koffee was able to piece together other evidence. He stomped43 and strutted44 and convinced the jury that Donte was the killer45. He pointed46 fingers at him, and then he cried at the very mention of Nicole's name. Quite a performance. What's the old saying, Judge? 'If you don't have the facts, yell'--and he did a lot of yelling. The jury was more than willing to believe him. He won."
"You fought like hell, Robbie."
"Should've fought harder."
"And you're convinced he's innocent? No doubt in your mind?"
"Why are we having this discussion, Judge? It seems rather moot47 at this point."
"Because I'm going to call the governor and ask for a reprieve. Maybe he'll listen, I don't know. I wasn't the trial judge. I was, as we know, retired48 at the time. But I have a cousin in Texarkana who gave the governor a ton of money. It's a long shot, but what's there to lose? What's wrong with delaying things another thirty days?"
"Nothing. You're having doubts about his guilt49, Judge?"
"Serious doubts. I would not have admitted the confession. I would have thrown the snitch in jail for lying. I would have excluded that clown with his bloodhounds. And the boy, what's his name--"
"Joey Gamble."
"Right, the white boyfriend. His testimony would probably go to the jury, but it was too inconsistent to carry weight. You said it best in one of your briefs, Robbie. This conviction is based on a bogus confession, a dog named Yogi, a lying snitch who later recanted, and a jilted lover bent50 on revenge. We can't convict people with garbage such as this. Judge Grale was biased--I guess we know why. Paul Koffee was blinded by his own tunnel vision and the fear he might be wrong. It's a terrible case, Robbie."
"Thank you, Judge. I've lived it for nine years."
"And it's dangerous. I met with two black lawyers yesterday, good guys, you know them. They're angry with the system, but they're also afraid of the backlash. They expect trouble if Drumm is executed."
"That's what I hear."
"What can be done, Robbie? Is there a way to stop this? I'm not a death-penalty lawyer, and I don't know where your appeals are right now."
"The tank is almost empty, Judge. We're filing an insanity51 petition now."
"And your chances?"
"Slim. Donte has no record of mental illness until now. We're alleging52 that eight years on death row have driven him insane. As you know, the appeals courts usually frown on theories that are hatched at the last minute."
"Is the boy crazy?"
"He has severe problems, but I suspect he knows what's happening."
"So you're not optimistic."
"I'm a criminal defense53 lawyer, Judge. Optimism is not in my DNA54."
Judge Henry finally unscrewed the cap off the plastic bottle of water and took a sip5. His eyes never left Robbie. "Very well, I'll call the governor," he said, as if his phone call would save the day. It would not. The governor was getting lots of calls right now. Robbie and his team were generating plenty.
"Thanks, Judge, but don't expect much. This governor has never stopped an execution. In fact, he wants to speed them up. He has his eye on a Senate seat, and he counts votes before he chooses what to eat for breakfast. He's a two-faced, cutthroat, dirt-dumb, chickenshit, slimy little bastard55 with a bright future in politics."
"So you didn't vote for him?"
"I did not. But please give him a call."
"I will. I'm meeting with Paul Koffee in half an hour to discuss this with him. I don't want him to be surprised. I'll also chat with the fellow over at the newspaper. I want to be on record in opposition to this execution."
"Thanks, Judge, but why now? We could've had this conversation a year ago, or five. It's awfully56 late to get involved."
"A year ago, few people were thinking about Donte Drumm. There was no execution looming. There was a chance he would find relief in a federal court. Maybe a reversal, a new trial. I don't know, Robbie. Maybe I should've been more involved, but this is not my case. I was busy with my own matters."
"I understand, Judge."
They shook hands and offered their farewells. Robbie took the back stairs so he wouldn't bump into some lawyer or clerk who wanted to chat. As he hurried along the empty corridor, he tried to think of another elected official in Slone or in Chester County who had voiced support for Donte Drumm. One came to mind, the only black city councilman in Slone.
For nine years, he had fought a long and lonely battle. And he was about to lose. A phone call from the cousin of a big donor57 would never be enough to stop an execution in Texas. The machinery58 was well-oiled and efficient. It was in motion, and there was no way to stop it.
On the front lawn of the courthouse, city workers were assembling a makeshift podium. A few policemen loitered about, chatting nervously59 as they watched the first church bus unload. A dozen or so black folks got off and made their way across the lawn and past the war memorials. They found their spot, unfolded chairs, and began to wait. The rally, or protest, or whatever it was to be called, was scheduled for noon.
Robbie had been asked to speak, but declined. He couldn't think of anything to say that would not be inflammatory, and he did not want to be accused of inciting60 the crowd. There would be enough troublemakers61.
According to Carlos, who was charged with monitoring the Web site, the comments, and the blogs, the traffic was increasing dramatically. Protests were being planned for Thursday in Austin, Huntsville, and Slone and on the campuses of at least two of the black universities in Texas.
Give 'em hell, Robbie thought as he drove away.
收听单词发音 |
1
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
perjury
|
|
| n.伪证；伪证罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
recording
|
|
| n.录音，记录 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
sip
|
|
| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
sipping
|
|
| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
affidavit
|
|
| n.宣誓书 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
repudiate
|
|
| v.拒绝，拒付，拒绝履行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
testimony
|
|
| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
liar
|
|
| n.说谎的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
fatigued
|
|
| adj. 疲乏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
pastries
|
|
| n.面粉制的糕点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
gulped
|
|
| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
delusional
|
|
| 妄想的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
depressed
|
|
| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
incarceration
|
|
| n.监禁，禁闭；钳闭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
defender
|
|
| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
inmates
|
|
| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
expertise
|
|
| n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
looming
|
|
| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
coordinate
|
|
| adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
reprieve
|
|
| n.暂缓执行（死刑）；v.缓期执行；给…带来缓解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
waned
|
|
| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
subside
|
|
| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
repented
|
|
| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
rumors
|
|
| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
spike
|
|
| n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
transcript
|
|
| n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
coerced
|
|
| v.迫使做( coerce的过去式和过去分词 )；强迫；（以武力、惩罚、威胁等手段）控制；支配 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
blatantly
|
|
| ad.公开地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
credible
|
|
| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
defendant
|
|
| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
stomped
|
|
| v.跺脚，践踏，重踏( stomp的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
strutted
|
|
| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
killer
|
|
| n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
moot
|
|
| v.提出；adj.未决议的；n.大会；辩论会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
insanity
|
|
| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
alleging
|
|
| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
DNA
|
|
| (缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
bastard
|
|
| n.坏蛋，混蛋；私生子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
donor
|
|
| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
machinery
|
|
| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
inciting
|
|
| 刺激的，煽动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
troublemakers
|
|
| n.惹是生非者，捣乱者( troublemaker的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |