Mind Switch (53 page)

Chapter 80

Donna Lang’s trial was international news. It was the first time in the history of the country, that anyone had been accused of murder based on the application of real time mind control. Fred experienced extreme difficulty convincing the DA of Donna’s guilt; but that effort paled in comparison to the Herculean feat the DA had in convincing a jury. Fred was not sure the DA was up to the task.

Fred was, however, impressed from the inception of the trial with the assortment of legal skills exhibited by the DA. During the jury selection, the DA adroitly rejected those who displayed inflexibility in their beliefs. Potential jury members who were eliminated included religious fundamentalists as well as anyone who, during the DA questioning, didn’t appear to possess a supple and open mind.

Unfortunately, much of what the DA had available to establishing Donna’s guilt was purely circumstantial. To that end, he was able to establish that Donna had trailed both Slivers and Shepard for weeks prior to the murders. He used downtown surveillance camera records to prove that Donna was frequently in the exact vicinity as the two men, over extended time periods. Fortunately, at times, such cameras caught both Slivers and Donna in the same frames.

The DA had Donna’s library records canvassed. The records revealed that she had, in weeks prior to the shootings, taken out several books on assault weapons as well as technical books which included the methodology for the creation of soft latex molds. He had FBI experts testify how such a latex compound could be easily used to reproduce fingerprints. He obtained microscopic evidence to reveal that latex traces were found on Donna’s work desk as well as the stove knobs in her home. He was able to prove from mail order records that Donna had ordered the necessary raw materials to make latex of the required consistency. He put into evidence a red marker found in Donna’s home and was able to prove that it contained the same ink as that on the notes sent from
The Marvel
to Fred. He had an FBI signature expert testify that the writing on the notes was most likely the same handwriting as Donna’s.

As effective as the DA was in his mounting use of evidence and witnesses, it became apparent that the jury did not buy the concept of mind control. The CIA had absolutely refused to provide any evidence of its extensive use at AU, stating repeatedly the rigid restrictions imposed by national security.

Fred could see that the government’s case was going to be lost and Donna would soon be a free woman. The prosecution had hoped to use Atwell as a witness, but after his last meeting with Fred he had seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth.

When the defense summarized their case for acquittal, Fred noticed that the jury was highly animated, nodding their collective heads in agreement with the defense’s persuasive argument. In contrast, when the prosecution made its final argument, the jury appeared indifferent. Jim, who had accompanied Fred to the courtroom each day of the trial, whispered to Fred, “I’m sorry, the DA did a hell of a job, but it’s all over.” Fred nodded and stood up to leave the court room. He could not bear to be there at the time the ‘not guilty’ decision was read by the jury foreman.

At that moment, the door at the rear of the courtroom opened. A familiar figure walked in. Marv Atwell moved immediately to the extreme right side of the room where he would be in a position to observe each of the jury members. Fred, mesmerized by Atwell’s actions, sat down again. Fred realized that Donna had also witnessed Atwell’s arrival. The arrogance and confidence she had reflected all during the trial was now gone. Her hands were trembling. While the courtroom gallery was listening intently to the prosecution’s final arguments, Atwell focused only on the faces of the jury members.

Fred noticed that there was an abrupt change in the responsiveness of the jury to the DA’s presentation.
 

The jury deliberation only took ten minutes. The guilty finding was unanimous. Everybody in the courtroom seemed shocked at the verdict, including the DA. Fred wondered why it even took the jury ten minutes to deliberate.

 
For weeks after the trial, the nation’s newspapers and weekly magazines discussed the case in great detail. Editorial page artists had a field day with their caricatures. Using artistic license, their drawings greatly expanded the DA’s bulbous nose and large prominent ears, while depicting him using crystal balls, ouija boards and tarot cards. Surprisingly, though, letters to the editor were, in the main, supportive of the jury’s decision. Fred recognized a letter in the local paper from his fellow poker player, Jim Cole, who argued that Donna Lang was from Mars, and for the average Martian, mind control was a normal day to day event. Fred suspected many of the letters in support of the DA’s case were from the segment of Americans who religiously believed in flying saucers.

However, something had happened at the very end of the trial that may have had an impact on many rational people’s attitude about the existence of mind control. Immediately after the jury’s decision was read, Donna jumped up and pointed an accusing finger directly at Atwell. She screamed, “This trial is unfair. That bastard used mind control on the entire jury. I know he did and I can prove it. Look at him! He is smiling; he knows what he did to me! No one with mind control ability should be allowed in the courtroom!”

Fred thought, what a strange, ironic turn of events. A murderer, who used mind control to force innocent men to commit murder, now declares mind control unfair.
 

Donna’s rampage was broadcasted by all the major networks. In that instant, many Americans became convinced that mind control was in fact a reality. It appeared that enough of Sarasota’s voters believed in it to support the DA’s case, and to re-elect him to another term.

Epilogue

Two years after the successful conclusion to the mass murder cases, Dan retired from his position as the Sarasota station chief.

Based on Fred’s highly creative solution to the most significant murder cases ever experienced in the city of Sarasota, he was selected to replace Dan upon his retirement. Jim, with Fred’s strong backing, was promoted to lieutenant.

Since all charges against him had been dropped in his attempted murder of Fred, Paul was able to retain his position as a sergeant in the Sarasota police force. He has no chance for a future promotion.
 

Dan, Fred and Jim meet once a week to go deep sea fishing, rain or shine.

Maureen and Fred still have their yearly anniversaries at Barneys and they still “enjoy” a good cup of coffee to celebrate the event. The Saturday night poker games finally resumed, with Dan added as the new fourth player.

Donna whiles away her life sentence by completing complex New York Times crossword puzzles. At times she attempts to use mind control to get the prison guards to release her. They just laugh. Marv Atwell disappeared for the final time after Donna’s sentencing, whereabouts unknown.
 

Exactly two years after Donna Lang was sent to prison, the New York Times reported the massive failure of two North Korean Guided Missile tests. The Korean tests were intended to demonstrate their version of Star Wars, that offense-guided missiles launched into outer space could be effectively destroyed through the employment of precision defensive missiles. US Navy Ships observing the tests were positioned close to the launch area, but no intercepting US missiles had been fired. In a subsequent news conference, the recently appointed CEO of AU took full credit for the defeat of the North Korean system, but would not identify the methodology his company used to destroy the Korean missiles. The defense department refused to support the CEO’s claim.

In the middle of Fred’s dresser is a glass encased miniature paranormal device. Fred looks at it every day before he goes to work.

Life in this sleepy southern Florida city goes on, but much more peacefully than it did just two years ago.

– THE END –

Lorne L. Bentley holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Masters in Public Administration. He worked several years as a systems analyst for the Navy Department in Arlington, Virginia. He and his wife Iris live during the winter months in sunny Sarasota, Florida and in North Carolina’s cool western mountains during the summer. In both areas, he plays softball and raises their needy but lovable small dogs.