Buckley said. His face had reddened and he glared at Jake.
"Do you plan to request bail?" Noose asked.
"I had planned to at the proper time, but before I got a chance Mr. Buckley intervened with his theatrics-"
"Never mind Mr. Buckley," Noose interrupted.
"I know, Judge, he's just confused."
"Bail, Mr. Brigance?"
"Yes, I had planned to request it."
"I thought so, and I've already considered whether bail should be allowed in this case. As you know, it is completely within my discretion, and I never allow bail in a capital murder case. I don't feel as though an exception is in order in this case."
"You mean you've decided to deny bail?"
"Yes." '
Jake shrugged his shoulders and laid a file on the table. "Good enough."
"Anything further?" Noose asked.
"No, Your Honor," Jake said.
Buckley shook his head in silence.
"Good. Mr. Hailey, you are hereby ordered to remain in the custody of the Ford County sheriff until trial. You are dismissed."
Carl Lee returned to the front row, where a deputy waited with the handcuffs. Jake opened his briefcase, and was stuffing it with files and papers when Buckley grabbed his arm.
"That was a cheap shot, Brigance," he said through clenched teeth.
"You asked for it," Jake replied. "Let go of my arm."
Buckley released his arm. "I don't appreciate it."
"Too bad, big man. You shouldn't talk so mucn. Big mouths get burned."
Buckley had three inches and fifty pounds on Jake, and his irritation was growing. The exchange had drawn attention, and a deputy moved between them. Jake winked at Buckley and left the courtroom.
At two the Hailey clan, led by Uncle Lester, entered Jake's office through the rear door. Jake met them in a small office next to the conference room downstairs. They talked about the press conference. Twenty minutes later, Ozzie and Carl Lee strolled nonchalantly through the rear door, and Jake led them to the office, where Carl Lee was reunited with his family. Ozzie and Jake left the room.
The press conference was carefully orchestrated by Jake, who marveled at his ability to manipulate the press and its willingness to be manipulated. On one side of the long conference table he sat with the three Hailey boys standing behind him. Gwen was seated to his left, Carl Lee to his right holding Tonya.
Legal etiquette forbade revealing the identity of a child rape victim, but Tonya was different. Her name, face, and age were well known because of her daddy. She had already been exposed to the world, and Jake wanted her to be seen and photographed in her best white Sunday dress sitting on her daddy's knee. The jurors, whoever they were and wherever they lived, would be watching.
Reporters crammed into the room, which overflowed and trailed down the hall to the reception area, where Ethel rudely ordered them to sit and leave her alone. A deputy guarded the front door, and two others sat on the rear steps. Sheriff Walls and Lester stood awkwardly behind the Haileys and their lawyer. Microphones were clustered on the table in front of Jake, and the cameras clicked and flashed under the warm television lights.
"I have a few prefatory remarks," Jake began. "First, all questions will be answered by me. No questions are to be directed to Mr. Hailey or any member of his family. If he is asked a question, I will instruct him not to answer. Second, I would like to introduce his family. To my left is his wife,
Gwen Hailey. Standing behind us are his sons, Carl Lee, Jr., Jarvis, and Robert. Behind the boys is Mr. Hailey's brother, Lester Hailey."
Jake paused and smiled at Tonya. "Sitting in her daddy's lap is Tonya Hailey. Now I'll answer questions."
"What happened in court this morning?"
"Mr. Hailey was arraigned, he pled not guilty, and his trial was set for July 22."
"Was there an altercation between you and the district attorney?"
"Yes. After the arraignment, Mr. Buckley approached me, grabbed my arm, and looked as if he planned to assault me when a deputy intervened."
"What caused it?"
"Mr. Buckley has a tendency to crack under pressure."
"Are you and Mr. Buckley friends?"
"No."
"Will the trial be in Clanton?"
"A motion to change venue will be filed by the defense. The location of the trial will be determined by Judge Noose. No predictions."
"Could you describe what this has done to the Hailey family?"
Jake thought a minute while the cameras rolled. He glanced at Carl Lee and Tonya. "You're looking at a very nice family. Two weeks ago life was good and simple. There was a job at the