The Orthogonal Galaxy
Chapter 3

As Paol Joonter took his seat at the defensetable, he poured himself a cup of water from the pitcher in front of him. He looked down at a legal pad and scribbled afew notes. The notes were intended as adistraction to keep him from looking up at the jury or the district attorney,actions which his lawyer suggested could cause him to appear desperate, andthat could sway the jury against him.

“Warron?” Paol whispered leaning somewhat to theleft to get closer to his lawyer. Withhis chin resting in the palm of his hand, the lawyer bent his ear towardsJoonter’s head, after which he spoke a brief statement that only the lawyer wasable to hear.

Scribbling quickly on a corner of his legal pad,Warron ripped off the note and turned back to hand the scrap to a paralegal,who nodded and quickly departed the courtroom.

As the door to the back of the courtroom opened,the court bailiff announced, “All rise. The honorable judge Walldar J. Etherton presiding.”

All stood in unison as directed and watched asthe judge entered and assumed his seat at the front of the room. Looking down at a flurry of papers in frontof him, he put on a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, assessed that all was inorder and looked up at the courtroom. Hecounted the jury and studied the counsel tables to make sure all were accountedfor. Looking at the audience, he sawmany of the same individuals who had been present for the duration of thecase.

He observed the concern on the face of JoyeraJoonter, who sat as normal directly behind her husband within arm’s reach. He saw a few additional individuals seated onthe opposite side of the courtroom, and understood that more of the victims’family members were showing up now that the case was nearing itsconclusion. To say that it was a sombersetting would be an understatement. Faces devoid of color hinted at anxiety. Dark shadows expressed a lack of sleep. Bloodshot eyes betrayed the tears that flowed freely previously.

“Please be seated,” he instructed. Looking at the district attorney, hecontinued, “Is the prosecution prepared for closing remarks?”

“Yes, your Honor,” stated the lawyer with hishands folded over his legal pad.

“Please proceed, then.”