Monster (8 page)

Sunday, July 12th

They had scrambled eggs, potatoes, and corned beef hash for breakfast. A lot of guys don't go to breakfast on Sunday, and the ones that do can just about eat as much as they want. The guy behind the steam table put a lot of food on my plate and gave me a smile. In here you don't smile back at people who smile at you, so I just walked away.

They had church services and I went. There were only 9 guys in the service, and 2 of them got into a fight. It was a vicious fight and the minister called the
guards. They came in and started saying things like “Break it up” and “Okay, back off.” But they said it in this calm voice as if nothing was really going on and they didn't care if the two guys were fighting or not.

We got locked down because of the fight and we were told we had to stay in our cells until 1 o'clock. One o'clock is when the visiting hours start on Sundays.

In the cell we played bid whist and another fight almost started when one of the guys thought somebody had dissed him.

I think I finally understand why there are so many fights. In here
all you have going for you is the little surface stuff, how people look at you and what they say. And if that's all you have, then you have to protect that. Maybe that's right.

When we got out, most of the guys drifted into the recreation area, and somebody put the television on. There was a baseball game on but it didn't look real. It was guys in uniforms playing games on a deep green field. They were playing baseball as if baseball was important and as if all the world wasn't in jail, watching them from a completely different world. The world I came from, where I had my family around me and friends and
kids I went to school with and even teachers, seemed so far away.

I looked down in the street from the corridor leading to the recreation room. Downtown New York was almost empty on Sundays. The thousands of people who streamed through the streets on weekdays were away in their homes. I was looking for Jerry. They didn't allow kids in the visiting area, which was funny. It was funny because if I wasn't locked up, I wouldn't be allowed to come into the visiting room.

At a quarter past one, some women were down in the streets calling up to other women. Then I saw my parents and Jerry.

Jerry was tiny in the street, standing on the corner. The window was screened and I knew he couldn't see me, but I raised my hand anyway and waved to him. I wanted to tell Jerry that I loved him. I also wanted to tell him that my heart was not greatly rejoicing, and I was not singing praises.

My parents came, one at a time, and they were both upbeat and full of news about the neighborhood and about Jerry.

“Did you see him down in the street?” Mama asked.

I told her yes and tried to smile with her. Her eyes were smiling but her voice cracked. In a way I think
she was mourning me as if I were dead.

They left and there was still too much Sunday left in my life.

I looked over the movie again. I need it more and more. The movie is more real in so many ways than the life I am leading. No, that's not true. I just desperately wish this was only a movie.

Monday is the State's case. This is what Miss O'Brien said. Monday they bring out their star witnesses.

Monday, July 13th

FADE IN: INTERIOR: COURTROOM. There is a feeling of expectation in the air. PETROCELLI, BRIGGS, and O'BRIEN are talking to the JUDGE. PETROCELLI makes a joke and O'BRIEN laughs briefly. They return to their respective tables and the JUDGE nods to the COURT STENOGRAPHER, who straightens up, ready to take down the day's proceedings.

 

PETROCELLI

 

The State calls Lorelle Henry.

 

Camera swings to the rear of the COURTROOM. An Assistant District Attorney ushers in LORELLE HENRY. The diminutive 58-year-old retired school librarian is neatly dressed. She was once a beautiful woman and is still quite attractive, looking far younger than her stated age. She moves with grace to the witness stand, avoiding looking at either the jury or the defendants.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Mrs. Henry, do you remember an incident that occurred last December in Harlem?

 

HENRY

 

Yes, I do.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Can you tell us about that incident?

 

HENRY

 

My granddaughter had a cold. It was just a few days before Christmas and I didn't want it to ruin her Christmas. I had taken her to Harlem Hospital and they said it wasn't serious, but she was still coughing. I went into the drugstore to look for some cough medicine. I was looking over the medicines, trying to figure out which would be best for her, when I heard someone arguing.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Do you know what the argument was about?

 

HENRY

 

No, I don't.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Then what happened?

 

HENRY

 

The store owner, Mr. Nesbitt, came over to see what the argument was about, and I heard one of the men who was involved in the argument say to him—ask him where the money was.

 

PETROCELLI

 

How sure are you that this is what he said?

 

HENRY (nervously)

 

Not that sure. It's what I think I heard.

 

PETROCELLI

 

And what did you see during this time?

 

HENRY

 

I saw two young men engaged in an argument. Then I saw one of them grab the drugstore owner by the collar.
(She grabs her own collar to demonstrate.)

 

PETROCELLI

 

And then what did you do?

 

HENRY

 

And then I left the store as quickly as I could. I thought there might be trouble.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Mrs. Henry, do you recognize anyone present today in this courtroom who was also in the drugstore on the day to which you are referring?

 

HENRY

 

The gentleman sitting at that table was one of the men arguing.
(She points to KING.)

 

PETROCELLI

 

Let the record show that Mrs. Henry has indicated that the defendant, James King, was one of the men she saw in the drugstore on that day. Mrs. Henry, do you remember the day you witnessed the incident at the drugstore?

 

HENRY

 

The 22nd of December. It was a Monday. I didn't want Tracy—that's my granddaughter—missing too much school. I thought if she could get through the next day or so, she would be all right because of the Christmas break.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Thank you. Nothing further.

 

CUT TO: BRIGGS at podium.

 

BRIGGS

 

Mrs. Henry, did you have occasion to see some photographs of Mr. King?

 

HENRY

 

Yes, I did. At the police station.

 

BRIGGS

 

You heard about the robbery and the death of Mr. Nesbitt and you went to the police; is that correct?

 

HENRY

 

That's correct.

 

BRIGGS

 

And the police showed you a series of pictures—would you say a thousand pictures?

 

HENRY

 

A thousand? No, maybe 30 to 40.

 

BRIGGS

 

Maybe 20?

 

HENRY

 

I think more than 20.

 

BRIGGS

 

Would you say 27?

 

HENRY

 

I couldn't say for sure.

 

BRIGGS

 

So the truth is that the police showed you a few photographs and asked you to
cooperate with them in finding a killer. Is that correct?

 

HENRY

 

More or less.

 

BRIGGS

 

More or less? Well, I want to get to the truth of this matter, Mrs. Henry. The police did show you the pictures, and they were looking for your cooperation in finding a killer? Is that correct?

 

HENRY

 

Yes.

 

BRIGGS

 

Mrs. Henry, while you were looking over the pictures, were there moments of hesitation? Were there moments when you weren't quite sure, or did you recognize Mr. King as soon as you saw his picture?

 

HENRY

 

I didn't recognize him at first, but then I did—the pictures look different
than he does in person.

 

BRIGGS

 

So how did you recognize him if he looks different in person than he does in the photographs?

 

HENRY

 

I finally recognized him. And when I see him now, I recognize him.

 

BRIGGS

 

Mrs. Henry, were you ever given a description of Mr. King? Ever told how much he weighed or how tall he was?

 

HENRY

 

No, I was not.

 

BRIGGS

 

You said that someone said something about Mr. Nesbitt showing them where the money was, is that correct?

 

HENRY

 

That's correct.

 

BRIGGS

 

Do you remember who said that? Was it the man you think was Mr. King?

 

HENRY

 

I don't know.

 

BRIGGS

 

You testified in a pretrial hearing that you had some trouble testifying that Mr. King was involved in this event, is that correct?

 

HENRY

 

I have trouble testifying against a Black man, if that's what you mean.

 

BRIGGS

 

But somehow you don't have trouble identifying Mr. King at this time; isn't that so?

 

HENRY

 

I think I'm doing the right thing. I think I'm identifying the right man.

 

BRIGGS

 

Did you ever identify Mr. King in a lineup?

 

HENRY

 

Yes, I did.

 

BRIGGS

 

Was that before or after you saw the photographs?

 

HENRY

 

That was after I saw the photographs.

 

BRIGGS

 

And how many men were in the lineup?

 

HENRY

 

I believe there were 6.

 

BRIGGS

 

Six. Only 6. Nothing further.

 

CUT TO: O'BRIEN sitting at the table. She looks up toward the judge and shakes her head.

 

O'BRIEN

 

No questions, Your Honor.

 

CUT TO: PETROCELLI.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Is there any question in your mind that the man you identified from photographs is the same man who sits at this table?

 

HENRY

 

No, there is not.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Thank you. Nothing further.

 

MS of BRIGGS, his ASSOCIATE, and JAMES KING.

 

BRIGGS (to KING)

 

When this guy gets on the stand, I want you to take notes. Just write down any questions you want us to ask him.

 

KING

 

Like what?

 

BRIGGS

 

Don't worry about it. We just need the jury to know we're challenging this guy.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Richard “Bobo” Evans, your honor.

 

Camera pans to side of COURTROOM, where a COURT OFFICER opens the door and leans out. He holds the door open until RICHARD “BOBO” EVANS enters. He is a big man, heavy, and ugly. His hair is uncombed, and his orange prison jump-suit is wrinkled.

 

BRIGGS

 

Your honor, could we have a sidebar?

 

BRIGGS, O'BRIEN, PETROCELLI and COURT STENOGRAPHER go to side of JUDGE's bench, where they speak in whispers.

 

BRIGGS

 

Why is he dressed in a prison uniform? The prosecution is going to try to connect him to my client. With him in prison gear, that prejudices my client.

 

PETROCELLI

 

He refused to put on a suit. We made the offer.

 

BRIGGS

 

It's still prejudicial.

 

JUDGE

 

To tell you the truth, I don't think it's going to make that much of a difference. This guy looks like a basket case and he's going to act like one. I don't want to hold the case up while you convince this guy to wear a suit. Let's get on with the case.

 

BRIGGS

 

I'd like to establish the objection.

 

JUDGE

 

Okay, and I'll overrule it. Let's get going.

 

They return to their respective previous positions with PETROCELLI at the podium.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Please state your full name.

 

BOBO

 

Richard Evans.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Mr. Evans, how old are you?

 

BOBO

 

Twenty-two.

 

PETROCELLI

 

And are you sometimes known by another name? A nickname or tag?

 

BOBO

 

They call me Bobo.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Now, Mr. Evans, do you know the people who are seated at these two tables, Mr. Steven Harmon and Mr. James King?

 

BOBO

 

Yeah, I know them.

 

PETROCELLI

 

How long have you known them?

 

BOBO

 

I been knowing King all my life. I just met the other guy before the robbery went down.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Before we go any further, Mr. Evans, I notice that you are wearing a prison uniform. What is your current status?

 

BOBO

 

I'm doing a heavy and a half up at Greenhaven.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Will you explain to the jury what a heavy and a half is?

 

BOBO

 

Seven and a half to 10 years.

 

PETROCELLI

 

And what are you doing the time for?

 

BOBO

 

Selling drugs.

 

PETROCELLI

 

And you've been arrested before?

 

BOBO

 

I been arrested for
(Hesitates.)
…breaking and entering, grand theft auto, and one time for taking a car radio and one time for fighting a guy what died.

 

PETROCELLI

 

So the arrest for fighting a guy that died was manslaughter, is that right?

 

BOBO

 

Yeah. I got three years.

 

PETROCELLI

 

I think the record will show you got 5 to 10 years and served 3. Is that correct?

 

BOBO

 

Whatever.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Mr. Evans, can you tell me what happened on the 22nd of December of last year?

 

BOBO

 

Me and King planned out a getover and we done it.

 

PETROCELLI

 

Can you explain to the jury what this particular “getover” was.

 

BOBO

 

We hit a drugstore.

 

PETROCELLI