guilty,” Frederick mumbled with attitude.
“Let a plea of not guilty be entered into record,” the judge said.
“Your honor, in light of his physical condition, and his not guilty plea, we’d like to petition the court to establish bail so that Mr. Davis may further recuperate at home.”
“Denied!” the judge shouted. “He is to remain in custody.”
“Your honor, he is not capable of fleeing. His body is still struggling to heal,” his attorney claimed.
“I said denied!” the judge shouted forcefully. “Bring in the next defendant!”
After Frederick was removed from the courtroom, his attorney followed after him, presumably to speak to him about what would happen next. Once the table was vacated, another attorney approached the defense table and opened his briefcase, taking out several folders and beginning to thumb through them.
Roman watched as the defendant’s door opened and two men were brought in by four guards. The defendants were both wearing cuffs and shackles just as Talie had been. The minute they entered the room, Lazarus, who was sitting on the opposite side of the room from Roman, but still in the back row, stood and watched as their eyes wandered over the crowd in the room, hoping to find some trace of their families there to support them.
The moment they locked eyes with Lazarus, both of the young men’s faces changed expressions from somewhat confused and uneasy to downright terrified.
Lazarus didn’t look away, nor did he sit down, until after both men sat at the table and were secured there by their guards. Only one of them was brave enough to look back to see if Lazarus was still standing there watching them. Once he’d confirmed Lazarus was indeed there, he quickly faced forward again, while whispering to his friend.
The judge looked over the papers in the folder in front of him, then gave the two young men before him his undivided attention. “I understand your clients turned themselves in and admitted to multiple crimes.”
“That’s correct, your honor,” their attorney said.
“I further understand that they’ve requested to be tried separately from Frederick Davis, though some of those crimes were committed in conjunction with him and his crimes,” the judge said.
“That is also correct,” the attorney confirmed. “They’ve agreed to testify against him and do not wish to be defended by his attorney, or associated with him in any further way, your honor,” their attorney explained.
“Very well, please stand,” the judge said.
Both Mark and Brett stood.
“How do you plead to the charges brought against you?” the judge asked.
“Guilty, your honor,” Mark piped up right away.
“And you?” the judge asked.
“Guilty,” Brett answered.
“Do you have anything to add to the statements you’ve already provided to law enforcement?” the judge asked.
“No, sir. It’s all there,” Mark said.
“No, sir,” Brett said.
“Very well,” the judge said. “Let it be noted that both defendants have plead guilty and stand by the statements already given.” He looked at several documents before him, flipping pages back and forth, then without looking up, spoke again. “I will see you both here on April 9, until then you will remain in the custody of the county. Are there any questions?” the judge asked.
“No, sir,” they both answered.
“They’d like to request a hearing without benefit of jury, your honor. They’ve readily admitted their guilt in the crimes they’ve taken responsibility for, and are prepared to move on to testifying against Mr. Davis,” their attorney said.
The judge looked up at both the young men before him. He was familiar with Talie Lyakhov’s case, and knew the reason she was freed so quickly was because these two men took responsibility for their own actions. “Gentlemen, your actions resulted in the release of a woman who’d been incarcerated and charged with crimes she didn’t commit. The fact that you willingly came forward of your own volition and took responsibility speaks volumes with me. It will be taken into account during the sentencing phase of your hearings that will take place as I said on April 9. I will be deciding your punishment as you’ve waived your right to a trial by jury and requested a bench trial, is that correct?”
“Yes, your honor,” both men answered.
The judge gave a single nod and their guards came forward to escort them back to jail. As they stood and walked toward the door that would take them away from the courtroom, they both glanced back at Lazarus who was once again standing and watching them. They gave no indication that they knew Lazarus, and he said nothing to them,