By Robmacz

Half an hour later I shuffled into the same interview room I’d been in the previous night, only this time there was were four other people waiting for me–Mike, the two detectives, and a man I presumed was the DA. The guard escorted me to my seat. This time I had a full belly chain on with my hands cuffed to my sides. I was pushed down into my chair by the guard.

‘Before we start,’ Mike said, ‘I want to stipulate that my client will be fully co-operative in this matter.  But although this is a serious offence, my client is in a position to offer other information, relating to more serious criminal activity. He is prepared to provide you with that information and testify if necessary. In return he would be grateful for certain undertakings.’

‘I don’t think your client is in any position to make any deals,’ the DA responded. ‘He is looking at several felonies and by my calculation is likely to be looking at 30 to life.’

‘You will notice from the drugs you seized that there are a number of fingerprints on those packages and probably DNA evidence as well. I am sure you are analysing these. My client is prepared to testify where he got them from and identify the dealer. He is further prepared to hand over a recording of himself buying the drugs. The person in question is an employee of Tony Carter.’

This got the DA’s attention.

‘Okay, I’m listening.  But I want full disclosure and I’m not prepared to make a deal that means your client gets away without any serious prison time.  Whatever benefit his evidence may be, he’s proved that he’s a danger to society.’

‘I think you misunderstand what my client is looking for,’ Mike replied. ‘Let me give you the outlines of a deal that I’m sure you can accept, and we can then move onto full disclosure and you can go and make your arrests.’

The DA agreed pretty quickly to the deal Mike had laid out, and I then gave a full statement about Carter’s club, and Mike handed over the recording. Within 90 minutes I was on my way to court for my arraignment–still fully chained up as I had been since I left my cell earlier that morning.

‘My client wishes to enter a guilty plea, your honor,’ Mike said as we stood before the judge. The judge then called Mike and the Assistant DA to the bench. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Mike came back and said it was all fine.

The judge banged his gravel and said, ‘Very well. As the state and the defense have entered into an agreement I will move straight to sentencing.  Paul Matthew Waring, I hereby sentence you to a period of not less than fifteen years and not more than the rest of your natural life in the custody of the Department of Corrections.  You will be remanded to the county jail pending transportation to a correctional facility.  Bailiff, take the prisoner into custody.’ Before the bailiff could take my arm, Mike had turned to give me a hug. I could see tears in his eyes.

‘I’ll come and visit you soon.’

I was about to respond when the bailiff took me by the arm and I shuffled out of the courtroom.

To be continued…