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Jesse has inherited his Grandfather's ranch. Now he must fight his father to keep it while he must honor his Grandfather's last wish of seeking Coyote.
The White Wolf
Chapter 22 by Barbara Allan
Thank you Hope for your encouragement and help in editing.
Thanks to all who have commented or left Kudos. |
Image: Free Wallpaper from http://www.scenicreflections.com/
Chapter 22 Plaintiff
The bailiff called out, “ALL RISE, The Honorable Judge Stokes presiding.”
The judge came out of his chambers and climbed up to the bench. He was an older man in his early sixties with gray hair and beard . Under his robe one could tell he was fit as he didn't have the old age paunch and his arms looked like he worked out. “You may be seated. Is the plaintiff ready?”
“Yes your Honor,” replied Jesse's father's lawyer.
“Is the defense ready?”
“Yes your Honor.”
Judge Stokes stated, “This is a civil trial over the last will and testament of the late William Hartman. It is the contention of Roy Hartman that his father was incompetent in leaving his estate to his grandson. Mr. Johnson you are representing Mr. Roy Hartman and Mr. Robertson you are representing Mr. Jesse Hartman. Am I correct?”
Both attorneys answered in the positive.
“Even though I don't see Mr. Jesse Hartman, he is represented by council,” stated the judge. “Mr. Johnson you may begin.”
“Your Honor, it is our contention that Mr. Roy Hartman's father was not competent when he signed the will before you. First, if you will notice the late Mr. Hartman refers to any grandchildren as grandson/granddaughter. And second, we contend that the late Mr. Hartman did not have any grandchildren. That the wife of Mr. Roy Hartman gave birth to a male child, but that male child is not the son of Mr. Roy Hartman. We have DNA evidence to be placed before you to prove this fact. Therefore, we are seeking that you declare the last will and testament of the late Mr. Hartman void and declare that he died intestate.”
“Mr. Robertson”
“Your Honor, It is our contention that the late Mr. William Hartman was competent, and that he had foresight that none of us would have guessed. It is our contention that Jesse Hartman is the child of Mr. Roy Hartman. We, also, have DNA evidence that is irrefutable. Therefore, we respectfully request that the last will and testament of the late Mr. Hartman be upheld.”
“Mr. Johnson, call your first witness.”
“I call Mr. Jeremiah Craft.” Mr. Craft came through the gate and walked up to the witness chair.
The bailiff came over, “Mr. Craft, please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth and nothing but the truth.”
“I do.”
Mr. Johnson got up and walked over to Mr. Craft. “Please state your name and your profession.”
“My name is Jeremiah Craft. I work in the county crime lab as a forensic scientist.”
“Mr. Craft, what do you do in the crime lab?”
“I analyze evidence from crime scenes, including blood and tissue evidence for DNA.”
“How do you analyze for DNA?”
“The crime lab has a mass spectrometer that is used in the DNA analysts.”
“Do you ever perform DNA analysts for circumstances other than crime scenes?”
“At the request of the courts, we will run DNA evidence for civil cases.”
“Were you approached by this court to analyze the DNA of Mr. Roy Hartman and Mr. Jesse Hartman?”
“Yes.”
“What did you find when you compared the two?”
“I could not find a match between the two.”
“Are these the DNA analysts that you performed?”
Mr. Craft examined the forms that the attorney handed him. “Yes, these are the analysts.”
“Your Honor the plaintiff would like to enter these DNA analysts as exhibits A and B.”
Mr. Robertson stood, “Your Honor may we see the exhibits.”
“Bailiff, please hand these to the defense. Mr. Johnson you may continue.”
“We are finished questioning this witness.”
“Mr. Robertson you may cross-examine the witness.”
“May we have a minute, Your Honor?” The layer turned back to the old doctor and whispered, “What do you think?”
“These don't match, but the one they have for Jesse doesn't match the one we have for Jesse. We need to know where they came up with it. Also, we need to question Mr. Craft's certifications. He may be certified, but if someone gives him a bogus sample there is not much he can do. Ask him if there is anything different about the older Mr. Hartman's DNA than he has seen before.”
“Your Honor, we are ready.”
“You may begin.”
“Mr. Craft, you said you worked in the county crime lab. Where did you study to become a forensic scientist?”
“I attended the Birmingham State Community College.”
“At the time you attended this college, were they accredited to teach the course of study?”
“At the time I was attending they had applied for accreditation.”
“So the answer would be no.”
“Do you have any certifications proving your competency in the field of forensic science?”
“Yes, I passed a competency exam from the state two years ago and have kept up my Continuing Education Units.”
“Where did you get your samples for these DNA samples?”
“I took a cheek swab from the elder Mr. Hartman.”
“Where did you get the sample for the younger Mr. Hartman?”
“It was brought to me by the elder Mr. Hartman's Council.”
“What was the sample?”
“It was a hairbrush full of hair.”
“How did you know the hair belonged the younger Mr. Hartman?”
“It came with a signed affidavit from the elder Mr. Hartman.”
“The affidavit was not attached to the DNA analysts. How do we know that the chain of evidence was not broken?”
“I do not know that. I can only testify to the sample presented to me and that the two samples did not match.”
“I have one more question. Mr. Craft, would you look at Mr. Roy Hartman's DNA. Can you tell me if there are any anomalies in his DNA, that is something not normally seen in say the DNA sample that was presented to you as the younger Mr. Hartman's DNA.”
“Yes, there are some abnormalities. I have not seen these before, but as Mr. Hartman appears to be healthy and I am not qualified to diagnose diseases from DNA, I did not call attention to the abnormalities.
“Thank you. Your Honor I am finished with this witness.”
“Mr. Johnson you may call your next witness.”
“I call Dr. Cole.”
Mr. Craft left the witness seat as Dr. Cole came through the gate. The doctor stopped at the seat as the Bailiff administered the oath. The doctor sat down.
“You will please state you full name and occupation,” asked Mr. Johnson.
“My name is Doctor Brandon Cole. I am a practicing psychiatrist.”
“Dr. Cole did you have a chance to examine the will of the late Mr. Hartman.”
“I did.”
“Did you find anything unusual about it?”
“I did. There is a phrase where the late Mr. Hartman referred to his grandchild as grandson slash granddaughter. One would think that a man would know if his only grandchild is either male or female.”
“From this would you consider that the late Mr. Hartman was competent to sign the will.”
“I would not dismiss it outright not knowing the circumstances, but I would call it into question.”
“So, there is a good possibility that the late Mr. Hartman was incompetent?”
“Yes, there is a distinct possibility that the late Mr. Hartman was incompetent.”
“Thank you. Your Honor, I am finished with this witness.”
“Mr. Robertson.”
“Dr. Cole, You said there is a distinct possibility that Mr. Hartman was incompetent. You, also, said that circumstances could prove that Mr. Hartman was competent. Could describe a circumstance where such proof is possible?”
“Not immediately.”
“How about if the child was transgendered or transsexual?”
“That would cause confusion, but in the eyes of the law if the child had not petitioned the state for recognition as the opposite gender or under the care of a psychiatrist, I do not think it could apply here.”
“I understand. How familiar are you with Native American lore?
Mr. Johnson stood up, “I object. What has this to do with the will?”
Mr. Robertson said, “Your Honor, it was the plaintiff that subpoenaed the last letter between my client and his grandfather. And in that letter he was told to seek a deity named Coyote. This line of questioning is relevant.”
“I will allow the questioning to continue.”
“Dr. Cole please answer the question,” said Mr. Robertson.
“I had a course in college of world religions. It touched upon some of the ancient customs of the Native Americans.”
“Do you remember a deity called Coyote?”
“What I remember of Him, He was a minor deity that was tricked into letting death into the world. But that is an ancient religion and like most ancient religions is not practiced today.”
“What is your opinion of religions in general?”
“They have their place. Many teach morality and how to get along with others, and then, some teach intolerance. One has to be open minded about the good things and be careful to reject the bad.”
“So, if a people still believed in Coyote and the Great Spirit, would that surprise you?”
“No.”
“Would that make them incompetent?”
“No.”
“If a person had some insight that a minor deity could and would change a person from male to female,
would that make them incompetent?”
“If that could actually happen, which it can't, no that would not make them incompetent.”
“So, you are saying if someone had insight of a future event and alluded to that event, they would still be competent.”
“Yes”
“Thank you. Your Honor I am finished with this witness.”
Mr. Johnson stood, “Your Honor, redirect. Dr. Cole in your experience has anyone ever met or have had their body changed by a deity?”
“No.”
“Have you ever had any credible confirmation of such an event?”
“No.”
“Your Honor, I am finished with this witness.”
“The witness may step down. Mr. Johnson?”
“We have no further, Your Honor.”
“We will take a twenty minute break and reconvene back here at 4:15.”
Sara, Jesse and Dr. Spencer got up to go to the restroom. As they entered the restroom, Jesse said, “They still haven't recognized me. And it seems to be going well.”
“We are not out of the woods yet,” said Sara. “All we have is some doubt into their case, but it is not case closed yet.”
They walked back into the courtroom to find the lawyers talking. Upon seeing the women come in, Mr. Robertson came over to them and said, “They want a deal. They are willing to drop the suit if we give them half of the ranch.”
“In other words, they know they are losing,” said Jesse. “I will make them a deal. They drop their suit and my father can come and live on the ranch, provided he lives by MY RULES. Otherwise, he will not be welcomed.”
The young shaman's attorney walked back over to talk with the opposing council. “My client is willing to make a deal,” said the attorney. “The deal is that Mr. Roy Hartman may come live on the ranch provided he lives by the rules of my client in return for dropping the suit.”
“That's preposterous. My client won't make that deal.”
“That is the deal. Once the judge has come back in the deal is off. I suggest that you put it to your client.”
The opposing council walked over to Jesse's father, “They offered us a counter deal. I don't know how he contacted your son, but the deal is you get to live on the ranch provided you live by your son's rules.”
“What do you think?” asked Roy.
“Either they think they have an excellent chance to win or they are playing a large bluff. They have Dr. Baker on their side. She is a good psychiatrist, but she won't be able to dispute the testimony of Dr. Cole. I know Dr. Spencer, but I don't know why she is here. She is a OBGYN. I don't know the older gentleman with them or the young secretary that is sitting at the table with your son's council.”
“The older gentleman is Doc Henley. He attested the will and is the local doctor back in Montana. Do you think the case is winnable?”
“They said they had a DNA expert. Is Doc Henley such an expert?”
“I don't know.”
“Do you want to be able to live on the ranch under his rules?”
“No, I want the ranch. The minerals on that ranch could make me a billionaire.”
“Then let’s see what they have.”
The Bailiff called out, “ALL RISE” as the judge came back in.
Comments
Now we know
Why Jessie's father wants the ranch he wants it for his own selfish reasions. Things are likely to get tough for Jessie on the stand but I think she will win this case.
Love Samantha Renee Heart
Roy is such a douche same as
Roy is such a douche same as his Attorney. So far their witness have done nothing but show how incompetent they are.
I mean seriously the plaintiff gives a brush to the DNA examiner and says it's Jesse's, of course it'll show there's no match cause Jesse's sample was fake.
Great story, hope to see more soon
Big hugs
Lizzie :;)
Bailey's Angel
The Godmother :p
Who knows
Who knows what goes through a persons mind when they see something they want and can't have it. Some sigh and go on, some come up with devious plots and don't think of the consequences.
Thanks for reading and your support.
Barb Allan
AH hah! NOW we know alot more about the father... he's a
GREEDY SOB.
How does he know about the minerals? Did he illegally have the ranch prospected or did the late grandfather already know?
Still a couple threads that need answers.
If the hair is NOT that of his heir --- BTW HOW can the father claim he has no heir? Wouldn't there be school, tax and birth records of HIS child or is he pulling the "MY wife was an adulteress card?"
In any case WHO'S hair is it and was he stupid enough to use the hair and hairbrush of one of his employees or law firm? Real easy to DNA screen them.
Do the lawyers know about this?
Once Jessie proves who she is daddy dipshit is not only up the creek without a paddle but ... assuming they let the fool testify but then in effect he has by claiming he has no heir, he is off to the Federal Happy Fun Camp for something like 5 to 10 years for perjury.
If the lawyers knew... they are REALLY in deep shit.
The DNA expert is at best marginally qualified but then so many coroners are under trained. It ain;t all CSI in the real world. He might just be a dupe.. But the source of the DNA he tested for the grandchild is automatically suspect as it came from the father's side of the case AND the chain of custody was a freaking joke.
I agree with the lady lawyer, let them hang themselves. DON'T tip their hand until they must.
So sad about the father though it is still possible he greed is manipulated by a malevolent deity.
Hope Jessie need to do the shaman magic demo for the court but if needs must be.
The dad needs to not only be taught a lesion but put out of operations. IE his assets seized, in prison etc as he is beyond the pale here. IE if he is willing to do this what other crimes HAS he tried and gotten away with in the past?
Nice chapter.
Meany cruel authoress for making us wait for the big climactic scene.
-- sniffle, bawh! --
And what of the former wolf girl who needs the heart operation?
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
MUWA HA HA HA HA
Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of the authoress? Only her editor does.
Barb Allan
Well, if she really shows
Well, if she really shows shamanic magic in front of the court that'll change the world. It opens the question why it only works for her and nobody else though. If it only works for members of her family shamanic magic is ultimately a curiosity and most likely more a problem than a real help for humanity. If she can actually teach others... well that would really change the world. Hopefully for good as we haven't yet seen destructive uses of that magic.
Barbara, thank you for writing this captivating story,
Beyogi
The Honorable Judge Stokes
sure has a doozy of a case to decide on. Does e respect Native American Lore and customs/traditions/beliefs?
May Your Light Forever Shine
Jessie's father Roy is going to be in so much trouble once
Jessie's father Roy is going to be in so much trouble once the defense proves that the DNA evidence he presented as his son’s was falsified. The courts do not take perjury lightly. The next chapter with the defense making its case should really be fun as Jessie’s attorney rips the plaintiff’s case to shreds. So Jessie’s father Roy is hoping to make billions by exploiting the ranch’s mineral wealth, is he now? I wonder if there’s someone else behind the scenes that put Roy up to this or if it is just Roy’s greed that is the motivation for this misguided attempt at this land grab? It’s a fun read and I’m looking forward to reading whichever way that you take the plot Barbara.
Hugs,
Tanara Jeanne
So greed is the issue.
Minerals on the ranch; so greed is the motivation. That can often be exploited in a court of law. I'm just waiting for the consequences when the real DNA is presented.
Good chapter Babs.
Bevs.
XXX
So, the way of greed it is.
I wonder what Father dear will do when he loses? Will he try to kill Jesse?
G
Go figure!
It always has to be greed and power doesn't it!
“No, I want the ranch. The minerals on that ranch could make me a billionaire.â€
Great story. :}
Viven
Next Chapter?
Sitting here tapping foot impatiently!
Thank you, Barb, for your
Thank you, Barb, for your efforts in bringing this story about! I really enjoy the long format, interesting plot-line and rich characterizations. One bit of constructive criticism: In this chapter you twice use the word "Analysts", which is a person trained or otherwise competent to analyze some space-time event. The context indicates the appropriate word would be "analysis/analyses" which is the report of what the Analyst does.
Thanks again and warm regards,
Anastalya Andronova