Chapter 24 - I TESTIFY AGAINST MY MOTHER
I took the stand in a dark suit without my signet ring.
Not symbolic.
Court security required less jewelry during screening? Actually rings allowed. Better: I had stopped wearing it around boys and forgot it. Fine.
The prosecutor asked:
“Did you authorize Lucinda to determine whether you were biological father?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize creation of a laboratory report?”
“No.”
“Did you receive one?”
“Yes.”
“Did you rely on it?”
“Yes.”
“Did you verify it?”
“No.”
There.
My failure.
Then:
“Did you send money?”
“Yes.”
“How much did you believe reached Adeline?”
“Most of it.”
“Why?”
“Because I was told the account administered distributions.”
“Who told you?”
“Lucinda.”
Then my signature on the account authorization.
Defense loved it.
“You signed the VFC routing form.”
“Yes.”
“You gave Lucinda discretion.”
“Administrative discretion.”
“Did the form contain a minimum amount Adeline must receive?”
“No.”
“So Lucinda had authority.”
“To administer. Not to lie to me about what she was doing.”
The judge instructed jury to rely on actual legal elements, not our interpretations.
Good.
Then defense:
“You despise your mother.”
“Yes.”
“You struck her.”
“Yes.”
“You sent a premature message calling $147,000 stolen.”
“Yes.”
“You corrected it only after counsel intervened.”
“Yes.”
“So you exaggerate when angry.”
“Sometimes.”
Then:
“Why should the jury trust you?”
“It should trust the bank records, computer files and witnesses. My anger is not the evidence.”
I had heard myself say versions before.
It was becoming a principle.
Then the restaurant.
“Did Lucinda physically kick either child?”
“No.”
“The bag?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see them starving?”
“I saw hungry children and spilled food.”
“Did a doctor diagnose starvation?”
“No.”
Good.
No dramatic false claim.
Then:
“You told Lucinda, ‘My sons starved while you cashed my name.’”
“Yes.”
“Was that medically accurate?”
“No.”
“Then another exaggeration.”
I looked at him.
“It was a father’s sentence in the street. In court, I am telling you they experienced food insecurity while substantial support I sent did not reach them.”
May you like
The prosecutor did not need to rehabilitate further.
Precision again.
