Tuttle was a sorry sight. He’d been allowed to take a bath, under guard, as all the prisoners had, but his clothes were now hand-me down work garments, none too smart looking. He hadn’t shaved, so he had nearly a week’s worth of beard, and his eyes were red.
Because of a shortage of available advocates he, and the other two, had reluctantly agreed to bench trials, without a jury. Jesse Parker, with his law studies, might have been called on as counsel, but he was naturally considered, by Cotton, to have a bias in this case. Judge Cotton was an honest judge, and he had informed the prisoners, during the preceeding days, that getting a jury that hadn’t already made up it’s mind would be difficult.
Yuri’s English was determined to be good enough to testify, and there wasn’t another Russian speaker around anyway. After several questions, including Yuri’s own involvement in placing the plate’s at Goldstone’s store, the judge got to the heart of the matter.
“Did you recieve the Treasury plates back from the hands of Alfred Tuttle?”
“Yes, uh, yes your Honor.”
“What were you to do with them?”
“He tell me to bury them at ranch here, he would be back for them later, had plans he said.”
“What plans?”
“He not say.”
Percival Knight was called, and detailed the course of the investigation that had him on Tuttle’s trail to Anderson’s Gulch.
After finishing with questioning about the plates, Martha Anderson was called, and in a soft, yet very firm voice, told how Tuttle had intimidated her on two occations. Zeke confirmed that Tuttle had let him know he intended to have Martha’s competency questioned, and the documents that had been found on Tuttle’s person at the AAA were introduced. Judge Cotton had already read them in the preceding days, and had discovered evidence of alterations Tuttle had been making. He’d been trying to transfer the power of attorney from his brother to himself.
“Will Miss Graziella Marquez please come forward?” She was sworn in and Judge Cotton began to question her about the “attempted ravishment” charge.
“Miss Marquez”(the judge used the English form for this trial) “did you in any way encourage the attentions of this man Alfred Tuttle?”
“I did not”
“When he entered the kitchen, did he make threats?”
“He ask me if I have plans for the day, say he saw Senor Will, and Senora Martha, leave for town.”
“What did you do then?”
“I tell him I was fixing supper, for later”
“And then?”
“He put his arms around me, pull me close to him.” The women in the crowd seemed to lean forward, listening closely to this intimate testimony.
“And what was your reaction?”
“Knives too far away, on counter. I put my arms around him too. He tell me this was ‘going to be fun’ so I say yes, it was. Then I put my knee in his cojones, and hit him on head when he goes down.” There was an involuntary hiss of sympathy from the men in the crowd, then nearly everyone exploded in laughter. The image of a woman, who barely came up to the man’s should, hurting him in such a tender place. was a release.
Kemper and Smith testified to what they saw, then Judge Cotton called on Alfred Tuttle.
“Do you have any statement to make, concerning these proceedings so far, any additions, alterations, rebuttals?”
“Just one, your Honor.”
“Proceed.”
“That little bitch(and here he stabbed a finger at Graziella) is lying! She came on to me. By God, I ought to charge her with perjury!” There was an uproar from the spectators at his words, but Judge Cotton just shook his head in disbelief. The man was charged with numerous felonies(with possible implication in murder that would come out during the next two trials) and he was more concerned about his masculine image!
“This court take notice of your testimony. Now, you have several charges that have been made, and you have been made aware, have you not, that others may still arise?”
“Yes, your Honor.” This was said in a sullen tone.
“Very well, the court declares a short recess, before judgement is handed down, in these cases only.”
People milled around, and got drinks of iced tea, water, and lemonade that folks had brought with them. It was almost like a pcinic, but the judge had discouraged eating, at least until the trials were over, so that some semblance of solemnity might be encouraged.
Zeke, sitting on the blanket with Graziella again, told her “it’s not so bad the new courthouse got so much of it’s furnishings sucked out during the tornado. I hate to say it, but this is more pleasant than a stuffy courtroom would be.”
“Si, it is. But I worry about your leg, having to move around so much. Do you still hurt?”
Zeke was touched at her concern, and the distressed look in those beautiful brown eyes made him catch his breath. “It’s not so bad now” he said, lying only a little, “but I wish I could talk to the doctor about it more.”
“I will pray for you, till you are well again, light a candle too.” She would have gone on, but the judge called court back into session.
“I have reached a verdict on current charges against the accused, Alfred Tuttle. Will all please rise?” There was a rustle of movement, and a few groans.
"Alfred Tuttle, you are judge guilty on all charges. There was a muffled cheering that was silenced by the judge rapping his gavel hard on the table.“Sentencing will be delayed until the next two trials are completed. Do you have anything to say?” Tuttle just glowered and shook his head.