Norman cleared his throat, as he stood up straight, pleading his case to the judge of his Summary Hearing. "I was there sir, stealing half a million pounds in cash, among other items" a gasp came over the gallery, even Felina was taken aback by the sum of money he had gotten away with.
"Did you know the victim?" the judge inquired.
"No your Honor, I did not." he paused then spoke again before the judge could ask his next question. "Nor did I lay in wait, or premeditate his death, in any way, shape, or form. I will confess to Manslaughter and waive my rights to a trial by jury in the Crown Court."
The judge made a notation in Norman's file then continued on his course of questioning."Will the defendant please explain to the court just how Mr.McDowell came to perish?"
Norman sighed and began his story/lie in a clear voice that filled the courtroom as the hushed crowd gathered around him and above him listened intently "I had been back in the study, where the safe is located. It had taken me two days of work to crack it open, whereupon, your honor, I discovered the huge stacks of cash. No sooner had I placed the money in an emptied, deep desk drawer and had come out to the living room, prepared to leave.., well that's when everything went 'pear-shaped'." here he paused for dramatic affect, letting out a heavy sigh shaking his bowed head as he continued with the thread of his story/lie "I heard someone come in the front door, the victim your honor. Now if you can only imagine this poor lad had come home to find me, giant of a man, my nickname's 'Goliath', he was screaming.., terrified, I dropped the heavy drawer full of cash as he, the victim, ran towards the telephone." here another pause another sigh. "Your honor, I could not let him make that call to the police.., so I, in a moment of desperation and panic, without thinking clearly I.., I remember I grabbed a tall glass candlestick and struck, the victim," Norman referred to Teddy, thus wise, for he could not, did not wish to, say his name. "However, when I hit him, it took a few times to get him to go down..," here a few members of the gallery, women, shook their heads in revulsion as they listened to the tale "As I have stated to, Chief Inspector Fowler, I thought the candlestick was made of glass, but it was solid lead crystal and was very heavy, causing the massive head trauma." Norman began thinking of that day, how it really happened, but no matter what spin he tried to put on his story, one fact always remained the same, Norman had bashed in a young man's skull, exposing the brain. "It happened so quickly, your honor, three or four seconds maybe.., then after the victim stopped moving, motionless at my feet, it occurred to me then what had happened. I panicked, I threw the crystal candlestick down on the floor, then I knelt down beside the poor lad. I was in a state of shock, but I wanted to check his pulse and see if he was still, indeed, alive. I thought if I felt a sign of life I could call emergency services, who could transport him to hospital." short pause, head shake, sigh "So I reached down to feel his neck, but with the latex gloves on I could feel nothing, I pulled off the glove, where it fell to the floor. I tried again to feel a pulse.., but all was lost, the final blow had been to much for his body to bare, and I knew he was dead."
There was a moment of silence for about thirty seconds as the judge made another notation on Norman's file. At this exact time a sudden rush of a sneeze began tickling at Felina's nose and she tried to suppress the urge to sneeze, but she was unsuccessful as she let out a loud "Achoo." A few in the courtroom looked up and over the judges right shoulder where they saw a young dark haired vixen looking embarrassed, and then it happened. Norman looked up as well. Now when he saw the ravishing Felina standing there at the railing of the balcony his hearted melted like wax over a flame, with the sheer delight of her presence. "God bless you!" Norman said loudly as all eyes were drawn to Felina; which normally she adored, but now was not the time for attention, a bright red flush came across her face and she felt a slight fever to her brow. Norman looked away from his cherished friend, giving his full attention to the judge, his demeanor did not change but his heart and his spirit was lifted to know Xavier's sister, Felina, whom he worshipped and adored had come, all the way across an ocean to be here, for him. Norman gave a silent prayer of thanks to God, whom he did not worship or adore. Next the judge spoke to the prosecution "Can you establish 'Mens Rea'?"
One of the barristers stood and addressed the ruler of the court "No your honor, we recommend the crime be established as the charge of Manslaughter. We accept his full confession, that he acted alone, and had no prior knowledge of the victim. We accept his guilty plea, and his refusal of a trial by jury. With our recommendation to the Crown Court to punish the defendant with a sentence of no more than 15 years confined, in her Majesties prisons, to hard labour."
Now there were a few more statements made about, such and such date of Crown Court trial by judge, etc... and this and that, and what have you, however, our Felina could only hear the statement of the prosecutor saying 'HE ACTED ALONE'! That was all she needed to hear, and in a brief moment Norman was taken down out of the courtroom, and as he turned from the judges bench Norman looked up briefly at the face of the beautiful Felina who had tears welling up in her dark eyes. Felina knew she would not look upon him until Norman would be released from prison, 10 or 15 years from today. Then as Felina watched her dearest, charming Norman led away in handcuffs back to a prison cell, she knew she would be there that day when he was returned to the World. Then a line from an ancient English poet crossed her mind 'With you my child I wish to play, I'll give you gifts if you will stay. I'll pick you flowers and presents bring and dress you like a noble king'. Felina did not know how long our poor Norman would be incarcerated, but she was bound and determined to welcome him back into her family. For he had shown the utmost Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor to Xavier her only brother. Norman would be handsomely rewarded for his courage and protection, this Felina would see to personally.
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