Here's Mud In Your Eye. Part 1

Chapter 243

Here’s Mud In Your Eye.

Part 1

Unlike breakfast, Paul was forced to his seat and told he better behave himself or the Judge would make his stay something to remember. I almost wished he would start mouthing off or get into another brawl, just so the Judge and his lawyer could see the type of animal he is.

Dad and everyone else did our best to pretend like he wasn’t there. It wasn’t long before the Judge came into the room as we were told all to stand. Paul gave us all one last sneer. Having his Lawyer whisper something in his ear that stated he needed to be on his best behavior or else.

Once we were seated Paul said whispering. “Here we go its time to bring them to their knees.” Having his lawyer shush him, and the Judge asks Paul if he thought this some sort of game. His Lawyer stood and apologized for Paul’s rude behavior said it wouldn’t happen again. He was just stating the true facts that Paul is the victim here, against all our friends and team of lawyers.

The Judge said. “It does look a bit, doesn’t it? Ok, let's get started I don’t want to be here all day. Now then let’s cut right down to the chase. This is a bail hearing, not a trail and certainly not a game reading all the charges.” He had Paul and his Lawyer stands up letting him go first, hoping to end this quickly.

He asked. “In your statement Mr. Cranny you state you are innocent of all this and it was all these men and boys on this side of the courtroom responsible for everything. Yet you were found at the hotel waiting inside a stolen car, with several stolen items from Mr. Shepherd’s house.

“Who you say it was no other than this young man who allegedly stole his mothers car, drove up to Santaquin to retrieve it from his mothers house and rapped his two sisters and ransacked his mothers home, stole money and several expensive items, then he and his adoptive father and all these people which I count 25 or more beat him and drove off in the car to establish an alibi at the hotel.

“I find it ludicrous and insulting to me that neither his father nor his sisters are here to speak for you. It states here according to his father’s statement to the police that he counted at least 3 men and 3 boys roughly the same age of these boys and built of their fathers.

“Yet you and Mr. Shepherd say everyone one here is guilty of the crime, all 25 of them. I don’t do know about you Mr. Cranny but I believe your math is bit off. I am willing to bet that if I asked you and them to tell me how they plead you would all say not guilty.”

He got a quick nodded from us and Paul and his lawyer. The Judge gave a heavy sigh. “Let me repeat this is only a bail hearing, but I am going to save me and the courts time by asking if anyone here can prove to me they shouldn’t be here. Not so fast Mr. Cranny, you sir still haven’t explained why you were sitting in a stolen car at the hotel were Mr. Shepherds son, who both you and Mr. Shepherd police statement says Eric stole the car and created this mayhem in the first place.”

Paul smiled and said. “I was returning the car to his father, your Honor. After I had tracked down his where a bout’s from his father and his grandmother. That’s why I am saying I am innocent because his father had given me permission to retrieve the car, being it is the only transportation he and his family have.

“I was unaware that items he had stolen were still in the vehicle thinking that he had pawned everything so he could spend the weekend at the hotel with his mistress and gay friends while they get stoned and drunk off all the money they had stolen from his biological family, which they do quite often and have done so many times.”

Jennie stood up and said. “May I say something in defense of the boy in question your honor?”

Paul yelled back. “Sit your a*s down you f*****g blood sucking b***h this is none of your affairs.”

The Judge banged his gavel. Telling Paul one more outburst and he could spend another night in jail as far as he is concerned. He motioned her forward and she smiled. “Your Honor sir, I would think it necessary to point out that car that my husband state wasn’t stolen in regards to this young man.

“You see the car in question belongs to him, and his mother. Not his father. If my memory serves me; he was the one that purchased the car, made all the repairs to it. So his mother would have something to drive that was reliable.

“Plus the fact the car in question wasn’t at his mother’s house, it was at my house and I was the one given permission to drive it if need be, while his mother is recovering in the hospital for mild stoke and for the injuries she sustained, by her husband. It was my ex-husband that stole the car from me, leaving me a note that Eric had taken the car until his mother is released from the hospital. I would also like to point out that there are only two keys to it. His and his mothers, his mother gave me her keys and they are right here in my purse and the note I was given.”

She opened her purse and handed them to the officer so the Judge could see them and said. “I’ll hold on to these for now. And request that all keys to the car be handed in, then since I can’t guarantee that none of you have a spare key I will request that locks be changed on the car, and the car to remain in the impound lot until after the hearing. And the keys will be used as evidence to be determined which keys belong to whom and when they were made and by whom.”

She nodded that was fine and regained her seat as Paul glared at her with such hate. The Judge asked for mine, I stated that they were home in my room in Heber. That all my things my, clothing, and the contents of my pockets were locked up for evidence.

Paul said. “That’s a crock, for as we know they are at the hotel or his Dad here or his gay friends have them.”

The Judge said. “Thanks, Mr. Cranny, you just earned another night in jail, and I warned you Mr. Carney about your mouth. Care to make it two?” He gasped and shook his head no. He turned and asked Jennie. “So then, your saying not only does the car belong to this young man in question.

“That if it is true, giving him the benefit of the doubt for the moment knowing that he didn’t have them on him seeing everything listed here that he did have on him at the time of his arrest. That Mr. Cranny made himself a copy somehow using the ones right here. In front of me, and seeing that keys were on him or in his presence at the time of his arrest. Even though I have no proof that car really does belong to him. Other than seeing the registration and the proof of insurance in his name and his mothers, not in his fathers, name, not Mr. Cranny’s name.

“Yet there is a chance that his father could have given Paul a set of keys and his permission. I just have one little question, if you could oblige me, son. Is it possible that your father our sisters could have made a copy for themselves, So your father and sisters could drive the car while your mother is in the hospital; instead of leaving the car in Mrs. Cranny’s custody for the time being?”

I stood up and said. “Possible… yes sir, but my father doesn’t drive. He hasn’t driven a car in years since his accident. Neither he or my sisters have a license, nor do they have a learners permit and far as I have been told has yet to be enrolled in Drivers Ed. I, however, sir, I have completed or will complete the written part by the end of next week. I also have a learners permit and will have my license by summer or once I have completed the course next year when the new term starts.

“I also have a bill of sale stating the car belongs to me, and not my mother as well as the receipt of the repairs including the receipt of when the extra key was made for my mother. Which she has agreed to be only one besides me to drive the car until I graduate from High school, or until she can buy one of her own? Stringum has taught me the importance of keeping every scrap of paper in case I needed it.

“I guess he was right today. The bill of sale is also at home with my set of keys. I don’t carry them with me since the car is with my mother unless I am visiting her. Or least I was visiting until my father has made it clear I am no longer allowed to do so.  I didn’t know that Paul had stolen it until last night when it showed up at my hotel where I was staying.”

Paul shouted. “That’s a lie; he took the car and drove it up to see his mother after finding out from his grandmother that she was in the hospital, which was a violation of the condition his father had placed on him having an obtained a court order stating he not allowed to be no more than 300 feet from his father, or his sisters, or his brother, or his mother and most of all his grandmother.

“Nor is he allowed to make contact with them by any means necessary or for any reason. Not only did he see her at the hospital, but he also went up to see his grandmother, which was also a violation that he wasn’t allowed to see either of them or talk to them on the phone as I have said his father has placed a restraining order on him.

“His father has made that abundantly clear being as he is in fear of his life and his family’s life that Eric Rothwell. Or Nate Carrion or whatever f*****g name he is using committed these crimes and violated a court order to do them. I am have sworn witness stating it… and I have pictures of him going in and out of the hospital with Landan Crag

“I have pictures of him entering and leaving his grandmothers home and driving up to Santaquin where he was seen entering his mother's house. And then going down to see his father were he and his adoptive father and friends beat him to a bloody pulp after raping his own sisters, and ransacking his house stealing from them then driving all the way back to his hotel to meet up with his friends.”

The judge banged on his gavel as Paul kept speaking pointing at me and Dad and everyone that was with me. His lawyer told him to shut up, but Paul just couldn’t do it. So the Judge let him dig himself into a deeper hole.

The Judge finally said. “That’s it Mr. Cranny I am adding a week to your stay. Say another word out of turn and I will make it two. I will repeat that this is a bail hearing, not a sentencing hearing. I only asked about the car in question. Nothing else, but thank you for not remembering that, why we all here in the first place. So I’ll ask again how do you plead and get you on your way so we can get on with this.

“If you say your innocent after what I have just heard. It will be a mockery of my courtroom. I am raising your bail at 100,000 dollars. If you can not pay that, then you sit in jail until your lawyer can plead your innocents. Now, then I am done with you, for the moment so sit quietly or I will have you gagged. Do I make myself clear?”

His lawyer said. “Yes, your Honor?”

The Judge nodded and looked through the papers in front of him, said. “Now then, the charges withstanding, it's up to me to decide who gets what; but the problem I have is 6 people and who they might be according to a statement Mr. Shepherd has given according to too the police report. I will remind you once more. This is bail hearing and not sentence hearing. Were we present all the evidence, but I will allow you to give me anything that says you weren’t anywhere near Mr. Shepherd.

“So be brief. It will be up to your lawyers, and the police to gather the evidence by the time we meet again. All I want is something that says quickly where you were yesterday between the hours 7 am to up to the time you were arrested. I remind you to be brief and those don’t have any evidence will be held here until I can hear the evidence.”

One by one we gave our statements, stating we were not anywhere near my father at the time these crimes were being committed. Paul was about to say something as he grumbled that we were all lying, but one look from the Judge he kept his mouth shut. The Judged asked after collecting our statements where we were on the day in question. Why we were all here in Salt Lake City in the first place, which seemed a little to convent too him. As well as everyone else being contently out of town.

Paul said. “Exactly my question,” causing everyone’s head to turn in his direction.

The Judge banged the gavel and stood up and said. “Gag him, if you would please bailiff. I warned you Mr. Cranny, but it seems that nothing I say matters too you. I am now adding another 5,000 dollars to your bail and 3 weeks to your stay.”

He waited for the bailiff to take Paul in hand by handcuffing his hands behind his back and placed duck tape across his mouth. “Now then even though our rude friend is right that is all very convents that many of you here were all gathered here in Salt Lake City during the time in questioned. And the ones that weren’t were out of the Santaquin doing who knows what for whatever reason, which I do not really care. Except for the fact, everyone here has some sort of alibi. That needs to be proven by the time we meet next time and they better be solid.

“So to save time, I will make this simple. By asking Mr. Cranny if he could point out 6 people that he believes are responsible. Since according to Mr. Shepherd’s statement that there were 6 or more that jumped him and beat him up. I will save him the trouble by reducing the number he has to choose from. Then once he has I will then set bail for those 6 people, unless they can prove without a shadow of a doubt that wasn’t involved. Yet I will ask that each person be here in my courtroom when we will hear the evidence and have all the witness statements and everything to say that you are all responsible.

“So the people I have chosen are as followed; Eric Rothwell, Mr. Rothwell, Mr. Landan Crag, Mr. Earl and his son Greg. Mr. David Rends. Mr. Knox, Mr. Kenly, and Mr. Clark and his two boys' Ben and Mason; their bail is to be set at 100,000 each. Once the bail has been paid they will all be released on the following conditions.

“They will each be wearing a tracking bracelet, they will be under house arrest, with the condition that they are to be monitored to and work, to and from school, but most of all not too leave the area in which they live. If caught trying to flee, or leave said boundaries they will be arrested on site and be placed here in jail until their sentencing hearing. Is there any questions?”

Dad raised his hand and the Judge called upon him. Dad said. “Yes, I have a question. My son Eric and many of his friends here are to attend a Halloween fundraiser where my son and his friends will be hosting the party, next Friday and a gala to introduce a new film that He is staring in known as Tangled Hearts, which will require him and me, Landan Crag and others here to leave said boundaries.”

The Judge said. “So if I may ask, where are these advents taking place?”

Dad said. “We were planning it to be here in Salt Lack City in one of the convention centers which was why many of us were here in the first place so we can put it together the final touches.

“The other travel plans are to leave the State of Utah for filming the Tangled Hearts using a High School that could be used to represent the 1st day of school after summer vacation and many of its scenes. I have listed several out of state schools we would be visiting where we could possibly be shooting.” Our lawyer handed him a copy of the invitation and the list of schools they wanted to see.  He quickly handed them back; having Dad tell him to keep the invitation to the Halloween fundraiser.

Mr. Tate was sponsoring his gala at his estate, which was inside the boundaries we were given.  The Judge said. “Fine, I would ask Mr. Shepherd if he had a problem with it being he is the victim in this case, but apparently he isn’t here. So I will allow this on one condition that you have two officers along for the ride too make sure that you stay far away from Mr. Shepherd and Santaquin, plus that you return back to your boundaries I have outlined by extending them to be no further than Salt Lake without a police escort. So Eric may see his mother and his grandmother being that Thanksgiving is upon us. 

“And if Mr. Shepherd would like to overrule my decision then he should have been here today. Instead of cowering in some hole, because he is afraid of being murdered by his own son when he is handcuffed and under guard while inside my courtroom. 

“I would have asked him to pick out his abusers in a police line up, but it is stated that all parties during the time of his said beating were wearing dark clothing and ski masks. If I told him to pick them out without them he would pick everyone man and boy in this room as he has done by providing the names of each person he thinks was responsible.

“Again as I have stated that he says it was 6 or more, but here I am faced with 25 or more souls all stating they have an alibi of the day in question. I have stated this is bail hearing, and I have set the bail, chosen the ones I think could have been responsible that have more to gain from this and the opportunity to do it, with the family court hearing in less than three weeks away.

“Which is why the bail is so high because it would be unfair to Mr. Shepherd and his two daughters that if they make bail or unable to provide proof stating they weren’t responsible. And know who is, can have a chance to come forward so when we do sentence the ones responsible we can move forward.

“I will send a notice of my decision to Mr. Shepherd directly after this bail hearing and to his wife so she can be present for the hearing. So once we determine the outcome, Family Court can use our findings, in this case, to give a ruling on how to proceed and god help the Judge when that happens. Now get the hell out of my courtroom.”

We watched as Paul was led out kicking and screaming that we haven’t heard the end of this. Mr. Stringum got out his checkbook and paid our bail. Knowing he would get every cent back because we were all innocent of the crimes we were charged with. We all knew it had to be part of a bigger and desperate plan of my fathers, knowing he had nothing, to prove that said we had done what he saying we did with the family court growing closer.

Once we paid our bail we were released and fitted with an ankle monitor and were given back our clothing and our things, everything except the money in my wallet which was closes to 6,000 dollars. Stringum growled angrily as he told him, that money belonged to me, not my father or my sister or even my mother. Yet I was being charged for stealing it regardless. His lawyer took down the serial numbers and took pictures of it and told them that they would know if any of it was missing if it wasn’t returned to me after the hearing.

They said it seemed awfully convent that I had that kind of cash on me and my father and sisters stated I had stolen it, and then finding a large sum of money on me. Dad said. “Of course they would consider they are nothing but liars looking for a big payday.” It didn’t matter considering they didn’t believe for a minute That Dad and I were innocent of the charges, and all crimes say their innocent when they have been proven guilty.

We were told it would be locked up in a safe, but my lawyer didn’t trust them said. “No, we will return with a bank sealed envelope, where we will know if that envelope tampered in any way.” I groaned inward just wanting to get the hell out of here took a seat on the bench as Stringum left to go get one from one of his banks here in Salt Lake City, while we watched the money being set aside until he got back. Dad said. “You had to bring it with you didn’t you?”

I said. “It wasn’t the plan, the plan was we were to give a quick statement then we would go back to our rooms. We were told to make sure we had our wallets with our identification in them and nothing more. We weren’t allowed to see our wives as we were told to dress and were escorted out of the hotel by the cops in handcuffs. I had given Rhoda some of the money to do some shopping, hindsight being 20/20 I should have given her all of it.”

Stringum soon came back and slammed a bank envelope in front of them and made them recount the money to make sure none of them slipped any of it in their pockets. He then sealed it and tore off the top with his copy of the number on the bag as his lawyer took pictures of it stating it was inside the bag and it there was no tears or ripped seams in the bag and then placed into a locked safe for safe keeping.  When were released, and escorted back to Heber? While our wives and took care of gathering our things at the hotel and check us out entirely. Which stated our little vacation was over.