The Jury

Flickering lights, the strong smell of sweat and human waste. How did I end up here? I did nothing wrong. One moment I’m in my living room watching Netflix, next thing I know I’m pinned to the ground being cuffed.

“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.” He was screaming in my ear.

“What are you doing, why are you arresting me. I was just watching Netflix.” Man those cuffs are tight.

“You have been charged with three accounts of murder, two accounts of battery, and several accounts of theft.” What was he talking about?

Who knew the back of a police car was so cramped, my only thought as I was thrown in the back of the car. Three accounts of murder, two accounts of battery, and several accounts of theft. Ask any of my friends and they would tell you that I couldn’t even hurt a fly let alone kill someone.

“Aren’t I allowed a phone call, please let me call my friend. He’ll tell you I wouldn’t be able to do any of the things I’ve been accused of.” My heart was beating so fast it could’ve gone around the Earth a hundred times. 

The rest of the car ride was a haze. I don’t really remember much of what happened on the way to the holding cell.

I sat there in the cell, three accounts of murder, two accounts of battery, and several accounts of theft.

“You’re pretty brave to attack a police officer like that.” I almost fell of the seat.

“I didn’t attack the police officer. Why would you say such a thing?” He must’ve been insane.

“That’s what they were saying when they brought you in here. Saying that would be added to your sentence. Assaulting a police officer. Sounded pretty brutal, as soon as you got out of the car you charged the police, your hands were even un-cuffed. Don’t know how you pulled that one off.” Un-cuffed? I had no idea how to get out of handcuffs, let alone do that then attack a police officer.

“No, you must be thinking of someone else. I’d never hurt anyone.” Three accounts of murder, two accounts of battery, several accounts of theft, and attacking a police officer.

“I don’t think so you look pretty banged up.” That’s when it hit me. I was in immense pain. From what; I never attacked the police officer. I ran over to the mirror in the cell, I had blood running down my forehead, and a big bruise on my left cheek.

I sat down in disbelief. I was being framed. Someone had it out for me. Or maybe there was a murderer out there who saw me a good person to cover his tracks. 

Flickering lights, the strong smell of smell of sweat and human waste, I hated prison. A prison guard came over to my cell.

“Your lawyer will see you now.” I had a lawyer?

I was cuffed and escorted by three guards to a small room with a man who was reading through a file of papers. The door closed behind me.

“This isn’t looking very good for you, I’ll be honest.” Wow so inspiring. “You now have a police officer who can testify against you. Anyone who could’ve helped you before is now dead. And they’re saying it was you.”

“What do you mean anyone who could’ve helped me before is dead?” He couldn’t mean that could he.

“All your supposed friends are dead. That’s what I mean. And everyone thinks you killed them.” This couldn’t be happening. Tears came to my eyes. How could they all be dead.

“No.” My voice broke. “I would never do that. I love my friends. They were all I had left.” I started crying.

I returned to my cell. More pain, I looked down at my hand. Why were my knuckles bleeding? 

“You’re really digging a deep hole buddy. You better get you’re act together before you get a worse sentence than life in prison.” What happened?!

“Wow, you punched your lawyer, and he’s still going to defend you. Your crazy man.” Since when did I punch my lawyer? What was going on? Why can’t I remember anything anyone was accusing me of?

Three accounts of murder, two accounts of battery, several accounts of theft, assaulting a police officer, and assault of a state hired lawyer.

I was sitting in the court room, all I heard was yelling. 

“Guilty.” I looked up. I was charged for something I never did. I was getting the death sentence.

“Guilty on all accounts. This man has been deemed a danger to society and anyone surrounding him. His multi personality disorder is getting too out of hand, and must be taken care. I’m sorry sir.”

I looked over to the people sitting in the box, all looking at me either in fear or in sympathy. The jury.