The Trial: Joe We'll Never Know

At a murder trial, the most important person isn't there.

We saw Joe's bloody t-shirt and counted the knife holes. We heard from the last people he spoke to, and the friends he'd gone with. People Joe had never met testified about seeing him killed. Nobody said a bad word about him. Nobody talked about a hidden dark side or blamed him for bad decisions that put him in harm’s way.

I confess that when I hear news about young people being killed in the city, I quickly assume they brought trouble upon themselves. But Joe didn’t “deserve it."

His parents were always in court. They didn't speak. His Mom fought constant tears, and his Dad silently wrapped his arm around her shoulders. When I remember their faces, all I see is pain.

Their son was a friendly guy having fun at a party. I think I would have liked him.

Continue: Poke the Defendant

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