“Tell us, Mr. Nora, when was the last time you saw the deceased?” the prosecutor asked when James took the stand.

“It was around 10 p.m.” James replied.

“What triggered you to wake up around 10 p.m?” asked the prosecutor.

“Our sleep was disturbed by people singing outside and one person screaming,” replied James.

“Then what happened?”

“Justice got up and said he wanted see how he could help the person who was screaming. Then he went outside,” James replied.

“Did you go outside with him?”

“No,”

“Why?” asked the prosecutor.

James realized that the question implied that he could be the one who encouraged Justice to go outside.

“Wait, are you saying I influenced Justice to go outside because I planned and hired people to kill him that night?” James asked in shock.

“No, you just said it and it’s possible. Don’t you think?” commented the prosecutor.

“It is but It’s not true!” said James, starting to be emotional.

“Your worship, no further questions,” said the prosecutor sat down.

The court was adjourned. Then after a few minutes the magistrate was back to delivere his verdict.

“The evidence that has been presented to me links the accused to the murder of the deceased. Therefore the accused is found guilty of premeditated murder and will be sentenced to life in prison. I thank you,” the magistrate said.

*****

James was now an official prisoner. The verdict had been all over local newspapers.

A friend killed a friend for promotion! – the headlines read.

One morning as Mr. Robinson, the HR of GT, where both James and the deceased were working, was having breakfast, he came across this news. He decides to go and visit James in prison. James was very glad to see him because he needed someone like him.

“I need your help, we have a limited time to talk,” was the first thing James uttered instead of greetings.

Mr. Robinson shrugged. “What can I do, I am not a lawyer,”

“I know, listen I don’t have money now but I want you to hire a private investigator and a legal representative to appeal my case. I know I did not kill my friend, Justice. So would you help me?” asked James.

“Time is finished gentlemen,” said the officer before Robinson answered.

Robinson did not say a word; it was like he was being hypnotized. In his head thoughts were competing. What if I help him then he doesn’t pay me back? Will my wife let me lend him $60 000, what if indeed he killed Justice? What if after new evidence is found he is found guilty again, because that would mean he would not be able to pay me back? But what if he is innocent and I’m his rescuer. Beside it would give me a reputation I need if things turn right in this case,”

It was when his thinking was returning to the outside world that now he started to hear a voice and looked where the voice was coming from.

“You are the only person I know please help me!” James shouted but silently crying, tears flowing. The police was dragging him back to the prison rooms.

Mr. Robinson liked the idea of saving the day. Later that day he called Robert the legendary. The name legendary was because he knew how to win; he won 98% of his cases and lost 2%.

The 2% was gathered when he was beginning to practice. He lost 37 cases successively but since then, suddenly he started to win and win all day long. Eventually he became one of the top advocates in the country. All though he was at the top, he sometimes offered poor people his services for free.

Robert agreed he would help.

“It is going to cost much more because I would be having my own trusted private investigator who would demand a reasonable pay,” Robert said.

“Bring it on Robert,” said Robinson.

“We will talk soon, just give me the inmate’s name please,”

“James Nora, N.O.R.A,” Robinson said spelling it out.

Robert went to prison to collect facts from James about his side of the story while the private investigator, Christina, was at the crime scene. Scientific findings by Christina revealed something that would be a breakthrough for winning the case. She further made inquiries using an old fashioned style of investigation; collecting data by questioning the resident of Cantberg. They all said collaborative facts.

Eventually Robert and Christina added their facts and Robert was convinced he had a solid case. He applied for appeal application and indicated in the form that the matter was urgent. So that it can be attended in a period of less than a week. Indeed his prayers were granted by the court.

It was early in the morning that the appeal was to be heard in the high court. In the public gallery were a few people, only journalists who covered law report. The presiding officer was a woman; she was already in her sit only waiting for the stenographer to activate the recording software.

The stenographer then signaled the judge with a thumbs-up and the judge proceeded.

“Ok, Mr. Robert Bucks, you mention in the appeal application that you are going to give new facts, is that right?”

“Yes, that is correct, My Lady”

“Prove your facts,” said the judge lifting her jaw with her left hand, paving the way to listen.

Robert stood up.

“As court pleases, My Lady. My client has been prosecuted for the murder he did not commit. It is true that the accused was the beneficiary to the will but the money was too little for the accused to kill the deceased. It is true as well that the deceased was going to be promoted, and the falsity came in when the state assumed that the accused could have been jealous.

“The reason why this is a false is because the accused was promoted months back as supervisor as such the deceased was going taking the position the accused held. I just want to clarify the misconception before I get to the scientific evidence. My Lady, may i bring Christina, a private investigator and expert in finger printing?”

“You may,”

Christina got on the witness box and was sworn in. She told the court about the device called fluorescence. that is used to extract a fingerprint by flickering green lens. She was not just telling but she also demonstrated to the judge.

Proving that the fingerprint found on the alleged murder weapon of Justice was not a match to James’ fingerprint. After a long demonstration finally she was excused.

“Do have you any other evidence before I deliver my verdict?” said the judge looking at Robert.

“No My Lady, that’s all,”

It became silent for a while. The judge was shuffling papers and then she cleared her throat.

“The facts presented are really irrefutable and it seemed that the state wrongfully prosecuted your client. This is to say your appeal is successful.”

*****

“Finally I was free, thanks to Mr. Robinson, Robert and Christina for their hard work,” said James telling his family. His mom sighed with tears. She was touched by what her son went through. “After all this I have learned that strangers do care,” said James.

*****

Tell us: Have you ever wrongfully accused of something? What was it and how did you deal with it?

The End