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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3919272" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-thirty-six, “Watson’s Hatred”, Monday, June 19th, 8:30 A.M. A mile or so west of town Minerva is alone in her daily meditation. She hears the sound of horses approaching She turns to see shopkeeper Judge Lacey riding on the back of a horse ridden by an unknown soldier. She re-clothes herself as they near, the soldier blushing with Lacey smiling at the humor of the situation. Lacey says, "We've been looking for you Priestess. Judge Isby needs you at the Town Hall, your name as been drawn as one of the Earp trial jurors." Hearing that the Priestess of Olympus's name is pulled from the jury box, startles Minerva from her thoughts and bringing a bit of crimson to her cheeks. She sighs and quickly composes herself. Lacey says he can walk back to town and for the soldier to ride here there as soon as possible. They arrive while the Judge is still waiting for Moria Enion. She regally approaches the bench. "Your Honor, With all due respect, I do not think that it is appropriate for a priestess of the gods to be part of this panel. As a Priestess of the Church of Olympus I represent the will of the gods , and they do not always see eye to eye with the laws of men." She stands straight and true. " I must answer to a higher power than this court, Your Honor. My allegiance must be to the gods even if it is in conflict with the interests of this court, and it very well may be." The Judge reluctantly agrees and has Tomlinson make a third attempt to draw the name of the final juror. He draws the name of "Mary Wong". Back in the front row Angelica Young rises to her feet and in an exasperated tone of voice says, "I will go tell her." Attorney Upton has concerns about this juror as she is an employee of Arcade's Gang, who were the ones who captured Wyatt Earp. Judge Isby says he will question her about that. Mr. Warren Watson is soon brought into jail. His business partners Al Brower and Pierre Jacquet sit near him for moral support. Attorney Fisk sits at his side. Conrad Booth arrives and joins Kate and Edwin. Judge Isby calls Jeff Mills as the first witness. Jeff describes what took place on Friday night at the Lucky Lady. Upon cross examination all that Fisk asks about is the quantity of alcohol that Mr. Watson consumed. Helen Barker is the next witness and she also describes what she saw, up to and including her missed shot. Upon cross-examination Fisk states, "When the play resumed after Mr. Rote's first intermission wasn't it announced that the bar was closed?" She says that it was. Fisk requests that Harry Rote take the stand. Fisk asks Rote about his serving of alcohol to Watson after the bar was officially closed for the next two acts of the play. Rote says that everybody else in the bar had had an opportunity to drink except Watson, as he played for the entire intermission, and that it is common for performers to drink between sets. Fisk asks Harry how many drinks he served to Watson and Rote replies, "I believe it was four." Kate relaxed a little when Conrad arrived, feeling a little more sure of herself. She realizes that Fisk must have been arguing for extenuating circumstances, saying he was drunk and not responsible for his actions. Which wouldn't explain why he brought a gun into the saloon in the first place. Such an attitude wouldn't help his mayoral run much, considering that is Mr. Watson got off lightly many people in town would see it as his fault and not trust him to protect them. Judge Isby calls Katherine Kale to the stand to describe what took place that night. Kate pulled in a deep breath and took the stand. As usual, her voice carried clearly without being loud. "After the second intermission of Friday night's performance I noticed Mr. Watson stumbling down the center aisle. I suspected he was drunk and hoped one of the staff would come take care of the disturbance and tried to focus on the play. A moment later Mr. Watson stumbled into Mr. Johnson's chair. He used the action of standing up to reach into his satchel and pull out a revolver. I was seated next to Mr. Edwin Booth. I pulled on his arm and told him to get down. That was when Mr. Watson shot, striking Mr. Booth above the heart. The bullet passed all the way through and lodged in my upper right arm. Mr. Watson shouted, "Lincoln is avenged!" I tossed a chair in his direction but he shot again and hit Mr. Booth in the stomach. At that point I threw myself toward his feet to knock him down, and one of the priests present had already paralyzed him. I did what I could for Mr. Booth until Priestess Florencia gave him enough healing to stabilize him and we were both taken to Dr. Eaton's office. Fisk says to Kate, "So, are you saying that it was your assault on Mr. Watson which caused Mrs. Barker's shot to strike an innocent bystander?" She replies, "I am saying I used the only resource I had to defend myself and my escort from a man bent on murdering him. My view was limited since I was on the floor and could not see Deputy Barker or any of the priests. As far as I knew Mr. Watson would be fully able to fire again if I did not act." Fisk says, "I see, and could your testimony be tainted by your past animosity towards my client?" She states, "Dislike does not equal animosity, Mr. Fisk. I have testified to the facts as I observed them." Kate is dismissed. Kate left the stand a bit surprised that Mr. Fisk did not press further. She'd really had very little contact with Mr. Watson, so his suggestion of animosity suggested he knew more than most townsfolk. Witnesses who were in the Lucky Lady are called to the stand to testify, including Bif Johnson, Timothy Finnegan, Josephine Marcus, Emery Shaw and Sandra Wainwright. Fisk’s cross-examination is minimal except for his mayoral rival Shaw who he tries to harm the credibility of by implying that Shaw didn’t actually have a very good view of the events and is just fabricating a story based upon what others have testified to. Kate feels that His extra-grilling of Emery Shaw was as transparent as glass; hopefully as much to others as to her. Edwin Booth is called to testify. Upon prompting from Judge Isby he relates his observations from Friday night up to and including Watson’s calling out “Lincoln is avenged.” The Judge thanks Booth for his testimony. Booth then asks “Judge Isby, when it is Mr. Watson’s turn to testify would it be possible for me to cross-examine him?” Fisk immediately objects, stating that Booth is not a lawyer. Judge Isby asks, “Do you have any legal background sir?” Booth replies, “I have not had formal education in the law but have read the published works of Supreme Court Chief Justices John Marshall and Roger Brook Taney, who collectively served on the Court for over sixty years of this century. I have also reviewed the Arizona Territorial Charter and all Arizona Governor Edicts and Statutes from 1853 to 1881, as well as reviewing the fine points of legal theory with my friend Theodore Roosevelt who has gone to law school.” Judge Isby replies, “Well then, it sounds like you have done your homework, and as the intended victim of Mr. Watson’s crime there is a certain sense of justice in your having the right to confront him. Your request is granted.” Edwin Booth returns to his seat. Kate looked at Edwin a bit oddly. What could he hope to accomplish? Unless he wanted a chance to state on the record that he had nothing to do with his brother's actions, but that didn't seem like him. Additional witnesses who were in the Lucky Lady are called to the stand to testify, including Timothy Finnegan, Josephine Marcus, Emery Shaw and Sandra Wainwright. Fisk’s cross-examination is minimal except for his mayoral rival Shaw who he tries to harm the credibility of by implying that Shaw didn’t actually have a very good view of the events and is just fabricating a story based upon what others have testified to. Fisk is asked if he has any witnesses. He has first Pierre Jaquet and then Al Brower take the stand as character witnesses, each testifying that they have never seen Warren Watson be violent towards anybody and that he has been an excellent business partner. Kate thinks, That may be true, but that is something to be considered for sentencing, not in determining his guilt. Of course, there was never much chance he would be acquitted. Fisk’s final witness is Warren Watson. The lawyer and his defendant go thorough what sounds like a well-rehearsed exchange with Watson stating how he had no premeditated plans to harm anybody. He states that Harry Rote had kept filling his glass at the bar beyond the point that a responsible bartender would have stopped. He says that although drunk he was still enjoying himself at the piano until Stanley Barker rudely interrupted him and forced him to quit earlier than he would have liked to, which put him into a bad mood. He concludes by testifying that his pointing the gun towards Booth was a spur of the moment lapse in judgment, that his seeing Booth seated right before him prompted that action, which he would not have done if he wasn’t inebriated. He states that he is truly sorry, is prepared to pay whatever fine Judge Isby deems appropriate and that he would never do anything like that again. Fisk rests his case. Kate noted how Mr. Fisk had not tried to explain why Warren Watson had smuggled a gun into the Lucky Lady that night. Probably not even he could explain that away. Kate looked toward Edwin, curious as to what he would ask. The Judge says to Booth, “You may address the witness Mr. Booth.” Edwin steps forward, standing near Watson, projecting an assertive and confident presence with the cloth arm sling helping to enhance his case. Booth says, “Mr. Watson, if you had not pre-planned the event then why did you have a loaded revolver concealed within your music bag?” Watson replies, “For self-defense only. There were a number of reputed gunslingers present in town including Ben Thompson, Billy Thompson and John Wesley Hardin. They have reputations for their quick tempters, I needed the gun to feel safe within that strange saloon.” Booth says, “I see, then if you needed the gun to feel safe then why was it that between the two intermissions you left the satchel and gun by the piano instead of bringing it with you to the bar?” Watson pauses and then says unconvincingly, “It would have looked suspicious for me to bring it?” Booth counters, “I fail to see why you would think that, a performer reviewing his next music selection in advance of playing would have actual been standard practice.” Before Watson can reply with something else Booth then says, “So, according to your testimony you decided to shoot me as a reflex action while you were exiting the front of the room?” Watson says, “That is correct.” Booth says firmly , “That is a lie.” Watson exclaims, “It is not!” Booth continues, “The compartment where the gun was concealed had a lid, which the sheet music books and folders of music would have kept you from lifting. You would have needed to move the gun before putting the music inside, back when you were back at the piano.” A smile tugged at the corners of Kate's mouth. Apparently Conrad came by his eye for detail honestly. If that was something that could be learn, she ought to do it. Watson pauses then says, “I had to keep the gun handy at the piano, I…I didn’t like the looks of some of the people in the audience.” Booth presses further, causing Watson to get angrier “Ah, well for once you are not lying to this court. You didn’t like the look of some people….like me for instance?” An infuriated Watson exclaims “Yes, your family are stinking murderers! You killed one loyal Illinois Republican in a theater, what was to keep you from killing another!” Booth yells, “So you hate me!” Watson yells back, “Yes!” “You what me dead?” Simultaneous to Watson’s response of “Yes” Fisk yells out “Objection your honor!” Judge Isby snaps “Quiet Attorney Fisk, you had your turn.” Edwin continues his badgering saying, “And what about my brother Conrad?” Watson exclaims, “All of you Confederate murderers should be hung.” “Even Conrad? He never even met our brother John.” Watson exclaims, “Yeah, him too! He lied to me when I specifically asked him about his relation to John Wilkes Booth!” Kate swallowed hard and blinked to keep her eyes dry. She looked over at Conrad whose eyes were glued to his brother and Mr. Watson. His hatred was so deep; he had lived in it for so long it had consumed him. Thank heaven she had fought that hatred within herself, even against her husband's killer. She could have ended up where Warren Watson was now. Edwin Booth steps back a bit from the stand. He states in a firm but now calmer voice, “Mr. Watson, My brother Conrad lived his whole life before Promise City in California, a state that was always loyal to the United States. During the Civil War he supported the Union and when President Lincoln died he cried that day. And when he spoke to you two years ago about his relationship to myself and my other brothers he was not aware of what our actual relationship was at that time. You see, my father Junius Booth sired Conrad but then died a few months later, before my brother was even born. Father never told the rest of his family back east about his California family. The actual proof of Conrad’s true relationship only came to light this very month, which prompted my visit out here.” He steps back and then continues, “Your hatred of my brother is therefore irrational, he was not a Confederate, he never met my brother John, and he never knowingly lied to you.” Kate finally had to get out her handkerchief and wipe her eyes. Conrad's eyes were still locked up front, but Kate looked around the crowd to see what the reaction was. With all the newspaper reporters here for Wyatt Earp's trial this story would travel fast. Booth projects his voice louder, filling the room with his oratory and saying, “Furthermore, your grievances towards myself are equally irrational. I had no advanced knowledge of my brother John’s actions against President Lincoln. I was not a participant in that plot. You are not the first Northerner to project your anger upon me unjustifiably. Similarly, many Southerners just as inappropriately try to unjustifiably praise me for my brother’s actions, which is what prompted me to make New York City my home instead of anywhere in the previous Confederate States of America. I desire neither condemnation or praise for actions THAT I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH!” It is no longer 1865! Reconstruction is over! After you shot me last week I received quite a few telegrams from well-wishers hoping for my speedy recovery!” He pulls out a paper from his vest pocket and thrusts it into Watson’s hands. “Read that telegram Mr. Watson, it is from Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert! He and I are personal friends, as we have been since 1864, back when his father was still alive.” You have harbored such deep-rooted hatreds some seventeen years, for you it has become an obsession. You attempted to murder me! You did that just as you attempted to harm my brother’s livelihood during the past two years with your lies about his integrity! Is there anybody in this community who ever accused him of dishonesty at a gambling table other than you? Even your own attorney chooses to gamble with Conrad on a regular basis, would he do that if there was any truth at all behind your lies? You alone besmirched his reputation with those lies, just as we all heard you lie to this court here today. You did that because of your deep-rooted hatred for anybody named Booth!” Judge Isby was being unusually indulgent in letting Mr. Booth speak on. The point had been made. Watson's prejudices were deep-seated and ignorant. Still, now everyone knew where those rumors had come from. Edwin Booth says, “I pity you Warren Watson, life should be more than hatred. Your friend Abraham Lincoln knew that, I encourage you to truly read his writings from your prison cell.“ Booth looks towards the Judge and says, “Judge, this man is a danger to society. For the safety of my myself, my brother and anybody else this man chooses to develop a hatred for I ask that this man receive a fair and just punishment for his actions. Thank you.” He returns to his seat. Roosevelt pats him on the shoulder and says, "Good job!" Kate sees a tear running down Conrad's cheek. She sucked in a long breath. It was nearly impossible to stay in her seat. She wanted to run across the room. Never before had she seen Conrad shed a tear, but now she knew she had been right. Fisk stands to make his closing argument, but compared to Edwin Booth's speech it is a half-hearted attempt at best. He again spins the yarn about too much to drink and attempts to blame Harry Rote for providing the drinks. He concludes by asking for the mercy of the court. Kate reflected that Mercy was the only thing Watson could hope for now. Fisk's argument seemed even more flimsy now. Kate fidgeted in her seat, waiting for the verdict. Judge Isby says, "Mr. Watson, I find you guilty of attempted murder. Furthermore, your rationale for what you did defies logic. I will give you an opportunity to rethink your actions and perhaps restore your very soul in the process. For seventeen years you have lived in a prison of your own making. For the next seventeen years you can live in the prison of the Arizona Territory. I will give you no option of paying a fine, as I find time is the best thing for you. Furthermore, I will specify for the Wardens to be certain to incarcerate you away from any others who might harbor hatred towards former members of the Confederacy. You will have nobody to share your hatreds with, and I truly hope that you will find your own redemption." Kate squeezed her eyes shut. Seventeen years. A long time to be locked up for hating someone. Maybe he would be lucky and learn, maybe he would emerge even more hateful than before. Even relieved, she felt regret for the life gone wrong. Next would come Fisk's declaration of appeal, and hopefully after that would come a break. Predictably, Fisk states that he will appeal.</blockquote>

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