by James Ross
Standing six foot two, Blum was an imposing figure in the courtroom. He possessed a closely shaved heavy beard. Long, black, curly locks spewed over his ears and stopped just short of his shoulders. The hair suggested a free-spirit… one that took an interest in the rights of the little guy. Well-manicured nails and a splash of cologne added to his spotless presence.
Blum’s reputation as a criminal defense attorney was legendary. He had gotten murderers to walk out of the courtroom as free men. Rapists returned to stalking after his aggressive and controversial defense tactics demanded that juries vote for acquittal. Even drunk drivers that killed innocent victims revisited local taverns soon after contracting for his services.
The public was outraged and government prosecutors despised him. But as Blum so aptly expressed, “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. All I need is one juror to have a reasonable doubt and my client can walk free.”
This was the final day of the trial. The government was after a local thug that had risen to prominence in a ten state area in the middle of the country. Racketeering and interstate theft were at the top of the list of charges. Charles “Chuckie Truck Stop” DeFeo had been identified as the target. It was up to Blum’s Jewish heritage to get the Italian off the hook.
“Ever since you’ve been sitting in those seats there has been mention of Mr. DeFeo’s last name and its association with organized crime. Even though it has been implied by the prosecution you are aware that the last name that he possesses is nothing more than a coincidence. The judge has made that perfectly clear.”
Blum paused and looked at Judge Patrick O’Halloren. “The judge has explained to you that the defense does not have to produce one bit of evidence. The entire burden of proof needs to be presented by the prosecution. It is the duty of the prosecutors to prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt. If the prosecution fails to present their case within a reasonable doubt and any of their presentation causes you to hesitate in making a decision, then it is safe to assume that reasonable doubt has occurred.”
The defense attorney went on to attack the credibility of the various witnesses. He explained that the testimony of FBI agents could have been tainted. “At the very least,” Blum argued, “testimony from informants with names of Rico “Cell Block” MacGruder, Christopher “Rhino” D’Amico, Alexander “20 Gauge” Lipetti and Ralphie “The Fifth Wheel” Cannoli is likely contaminated with vindictive lies.”
Over the next ten minutes Blum attacked eyewitness reports and singled out at least twenty instances that could have been lies from the witness stand. “Judge O’Halloren will also explain to you that if you determine that one statement is a lie, then you, as a jury, can consider that the whole testimony is a lie. That is known as false in one, false in all. If that is the case then the entire testimony from that witness can be disregarded.”
“Without testimony from this group of witnesses, you as a jury, have to ask what pieces of hard evidence have been presented in this case by the prosecution. You ‘heard’ about this and you supposedly ‘saw’ what someone else did, but what kind of material proof did the prosecution present to prove their case within a reasonable doubt?”
“Now I must remind you that even though you’ve heard taped conversations between Mr. DeFeo and John “Johnny Angel” Cortipassi I want you to understand that Johnny Angel has made a virtual living as a government informant over his lifetime. As stated during the trial he could have very well been paid by the prosecution to enter into those conversations. But what I would like for you to focus on is not what is on those tapes, but rather on what is not on those tapes. Not once do those tapes indicate that Mr. DeFeo has implicated himself. Nowhere does it state that he has done what the prosecution claims that he has done.”
One by one over the course of seventy-five minutes Blum attacked the evidence that the prosecutors submitted and the sworn statements from the witnesses.
“Now, sometime when you deliberate in the jury room you’ll have to ask yourselves whether or not the evidence that the prosecution presented in this case is sufficient enough to send Mr. DeFeo to prison for the rest of his life. Each and every one of you is going to have to ask yourself whether or not the evidence presented during this trial is adequate enough to satisfy our American system of justice.”
“I ask that you go into deliberation and refute the testimony of the eyewitnesses, disregard the tainted tapes, question the material evidence and consider the absence of corroborating evidence. I ask that you bring justice to this courtroom and return a verdict of not guilty on all charges against Mr. DeFeo.”
“In conclusion I’d like to thank you for all the concentration you’ve given me through these closing arguments as well as this trial.”
After deliberating for a day and a half the jury informed Judge O’Halloren that they had reached a verdict. Charles “Chuckie Truck Stop” DeFeo was acquitted on all counts and walked home a free man. Benjamin Blum had won another criminal case. The public and the prosecutors were livid.
CHAPTER 6
“Why do you keep looking out the window?” Julie asked as J Dub craned over her shoulder and peered outside.
“Didn’t I mention it to you?” the head pro asked.
“Mention what?” Julie countered. She knew how the summer season went. J Dub would get so busy doing tasks around the course that he would absent mindedly bypass the simple things in life. All the days blended together. The only constants were the sunrise and the sunset. With people flocking through the door the hands of the clock rapidly moved around the dial.
“Don’t you remember?” J Dub stopped and jogged his memory. “I’m sure I said something to you.”
“About what?” Julie pried. “Maybe you did.”
“Footprints of Hope,” J Dub answered.
“The orphanage?” Julie guessed.
“Yeah,” J Dub said.
“What about it?” Julie asked.
“The director called and wanted to know if we could participate in a summer youth program that they were involved in. It’s called ‘Teens in Need’ I think,” J Dub answered. He looked at Julie. “You know how much of a softie I am when it comes to that.”
“Why not?” Julie agreed.
“That’s what I thought,” the pro said. “But this one has a little different spin to it. Instead of a busload of kids coming over for group lessons we’re going to have a couple of special needs children from the foster home to care for twice a week.”
“I can’t baby sit them two days a week!” Julie shot back.
“I’ve got my hands full paying bills, running to the bank and watching the register when you’re out running around on the golf course.” She stared back at him. “Why don’t you hire a few more guys to cut me some slack?” She gave him a look out of the side of her eye. “Quit being so cheap.”
“You know how it is.”
“Yeah, you’re tight with a buck and working us to death.”
“Well…”
“But you’re quick to give it away to someone in need. Why not give some to me and my family?”
J Dub backpedaled, looking hurt. “If you think…”
“I’m sorry,” Julie said as she saw that her comments hit a nerve. “It’s been one of those days for me. Everybody’s been bitching this morning. If it isn’t the weather, it’s the coffee. If it isn’t the newspaper, it’s the price of the greens fees. They’ve all been griping.”
“Is this your way of asking me to increase your bonus?”
Julie smiled. “Was it effective?”
“It sort of reminded me of the night I opened the lid on the dumpster and the raccoon jumped out at me. That scared me to death.”
“So now I’m being compared to a raccoon.”
“The tenacity of one,” J Dub agreed. “But we’ll save that for another time.” He noticed a van with Footprints of Hope blazoned across the side pull into the lot.
“So what’s the deal?” Julie asked as the pro headed for t
he front door.
“The orphanage wanted to expose two kids to life on the outside. They’ll have chaperones. It’s my understanding that they’ll be here two days a week. We’re going to open our doors and make them feel welcome.” J Dub paused. “You know, do some charity work. I’ll think we’ll get a tax break.”
“I know you’re generous, but I like the way you’re being smart too.” Her bookkeeping background always leant itself to common sense.
“The government keeps wanting more and more. We might as well get some benefit out of it.”
“It’s called socialism,” Julie said matter-of-factly. “The entitlement programs will bring capitalism to its death.”
“I can always count on you for an opinion,” J Dub said with a smile. He headed for the front door. After opening it he looked to the parking lot and saw a huge black lady walking with a teenage boy. A middle-aged Caucasian woman walked alongside a smaller girl. “Good morning,” the head pro yelled. “You must be Aieshia.” As they got closer he asked, “Did I say it right?”
“Yo’ did good fo’ a first-timer,” the young black woman said. A robust smile spread across her rotund face. Standing five foot ten Aieshia looked formidable. Dressed in blue jeans and a sweatshirt she must have weighed close to three hundred pounds.
“What sport did you play?” J Dub wondered out loud.
“Sof’ball,” Aieshia replied.
“You don’t look like the right sex for football.”
Aieshia stuck her hand out for J Dub to shake. “But don’t yo’ tink dat I dint kick some boys’ butts on da streets back home.” J Dub winced as her grip tightened around his hand.
“Where would that be?”
“Arkansas.”
“I imagine you could hit some home runs.” J Dub took a deep breath and let out some air. “Who is your friend?” He looked at the teenage boy that appeared to be large for his age.
“This is Pabby,” Aieshia said. The boy appeared shy. His shoulders were slumped and his neck craned forward. He looked down and then raised his chin ever so slightly to peer out of the top of his eyes. “Go ahead an’ shake his hand.”
“Are you my buddy?”
The comment caught J Dub by surprise. “Why, of course. Nice to meet you, Pabby.” The boy broke into an infectious smile as he sensed the warmth and understanding that exuded from the golf pro. “And who are the others?”
“This is Shae,” Aieshia said. A smaller, frail girl with short dark brown hair which was turned under at her ears stood before J Dub. She had a yellow ribbon in her hair that caused the top of her hair to stick up in sort of an out of place ponytail. Periodically a tic would cause her neck jerk to the side. After these actions Shae would adjust her dark-rimmed glasses.
J Dub reached forward to shake Shae’s hand. The girl tapped his hand. It appeared strange to J Dub. Her thumb was grounded against her middle two fingers while her index finger and small finger protruded out from her hand. “Nice to meet you Shae,” he said with a smile.
“An’ her aide is Carla,” Aieshia said as the woman extended her hand.
“I work with Shae,” Carla confirmed. She was of average build and looks. No distinguishing characteristics about her stood out except for her plainness. Even her wardrobe was bland… jeans and a blouse. With a pageboy coif, no makeup and a flat chest it was difficult to tell if at one time she might have answered to the name of Carl.
J Dub turned and headed for the clubhouse. “Come on. I want you to meet my number one assistant.”
CHAPTER 7
Pabby took steps that seemed to be at least a foot longer than his legs could handle. Shae drug her right leg and stayed on the ball of her left foot as she limped toward the door of the clubhouse.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Julie offered the quartet as they entered the building. J Dub had worked out a deal that allowed for the course to get reimbursed for beverages, but the kids and tutors were responsible for packing their own sack lunches.
Her offer went on deaf ears as Pabby barged past her and plopped into the booth that normally housed the regular crew of golfers. His attention was straight line and focused. The seat in the booth was his target.
Aieshia wasn’t far behind. She had her hands full keeping a close eye on Pabby. The lad had just turned thirteen, was larger than most of the kids his age and lacked the mental capacity to take care of himself. To view him as a gentle giant would be après pos, but Pabby didn’t realize his own strength.
In due time Bogey II, the bull terrier that had replaced his namesake as the golf course dog, barged across the room. The motion of his tail was on overdrive. Just like he had done with so many in the past he jumped onto the seat of the booth and onto the lap of Pabby. He lapped at the boy’s face as Carla and Shae sat in the next booth.
“B2!” Julie yelled.
Pabby panicked. With a quick shove he flung the dog to the floor and in the same motion raised his legs onto the leather seat and jumped onto the table. “No!” He towered only a few inches from the ceiling as B2 scurried behind the counter to the safety of Julie’s legs.
“Dat’s somethin’ we gonna have ta talk ’bout Mista J Dub,” Aieshia said. In an instant her politeness reminded him of BowTye. “He’s gotta ting’ bout dem animals dat I’s gotsta tell ya ’bout.”
“I would hope so,” J Dub agreed. “Nobody said anything about that.”
“We dint tink dat yous had any animals in a golf shop.”
“He’s the only one… and he’s part of the family.”
Aieshia smiled. She rubbed her right hand through her hair and in the process flashed her fingernails. The thumb was painted a metallic gold. Her index finger was metallic aqua with her middle finger metallic gold, ring finger metallic aqua and small finger metallic gold. On her left hand the thumb was metallic aqua and the color scheme was reversed. “If it be an S-P-I-D-E-R den he really be crazy. And an A-N-T make it be even worse.”
“What’s wrong?” J Dub asked.
“Da smalla da animal da more scared he be.” She went over to console Pabby. “It’s okay darlin’. Da dog be gone.”
Pabby was shaking. He grabbed Aieshia’s hand as she reached up to help him down from the table top. “Okay?” Pabby asked.
“Yes, it be fine,” Aieshia said as Pabby inched his way to the edge of the table. His eyes were glued to the floor trying to catch a glimpse of B2.
“The dog is back here with me,” J Dub reassured the lad. He reached down, grabbed B2 by the collar and escorted him out the door.
The teen eased back into the booth. Pabby placed his mouth in an O and puffed his lips out. He took several deep breaths then swiveled his head downward so that his chin nearly rested on his chest. Then he closed his eyes and rolled his head from left to right and back again several times.
“Do ya feel betta?” Aieshia asked.
Pabby opened his eyes wide. “Not scared now.”
“How did that all come about?” Julie asked after witnessing the episode.
Aieshia took a Powerade from Julie and placed it in front of Pabby. Then she handed him a straw as J Dub smiled. He noticed that her right big toe was painted metallic aqua and the four smaller ones were metallic gold. Her left big toe was metallic gold and the smaller ones on that foot were metallic aqua.
“Dere be some sorta mix up somewhere,” Aieshia said as she returned to the counter. “Da bigga da animal da mo’ relaxed he be.” Her eyes got wide. “Ya should see him ’round horses or elephants or when he watches dose movies wit’ King Kong an’ Godzilla in dem.”
“What happens?” Julie asked.
“He be as calm an’ playful as a kitten chasin’ da string. Why he would take an apple an’ feed it ta a lion.”
“Isn’t he aware of the danger?” Julie probed.
“In his mind dere be no danger.” Aieshia bowed her head and shook it back and forth, then turned her lips in and returned them to their natural position so that Julie could see the ruby red c
olor on the inside of them. “But ya git him near an ant an’ he be screamin’ an’ hollerin’ like da world be comin’ to an end.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Julie said. She turned to J Dub as if to ask, “Have you heard of anything like that?”
J Dub threw his hands up. “I just run a golf course. We see it all when it walks through the door. Some things just go unexplained.” He chuckled as he tidied up the ketchup and mustard bottles on the counter.
“Watch dis,” Aieshia told the pair. She went over to Pabby.
“Ya ’memba J Dub an’ Julie, da man an’ woman behin’ da counta?”
Shyly Pabby bowed his head and looked out the side of his eye and over his shoulder. He mumbled, “Uh huh.”
“Dey really want ta be yo’ friend. Dey was askin’ ’bout whatcha know ’bout da lions.”
Pabby’s eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning.
“Oh.”
“Why’s don’t ya go ova dere an’ tell dem what ya know.”
Awkwardly Pabby scooted out of the booth. He took three steps, stopped, back tracked and grabbed his Powerade. He climbed onto a stool in front of J Dub and Julie. “The lion?”
Puzzled, J Dub looked at Julie. “Yeah, the lion. What do you know about them?”
“The lion is a big cat in the Panthera genus and Felidae family. It is second only in size to the tiger. Some males weigh over five hundred and fifty pounds. Currently they live in Africa just below the Sahara desert but some can be found in India.” Pabby’s excitement was evident in his voice.
“The males will live about ten to fifteen years unless they are captured. Then they will live longer. As cats go lions are very social. A group of them is called a pride which typically consists of several females and their offspring along with several males.” Pabby’s breathing became more rapid. “The males are the most distinctive. Their mane is very recognizable.”
J Dub and Julie shared bewildered looks while Aieshia grinned in the background. “You’re quite an expert on lions, aren’t you Pabby?” the pro asked.