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“So, a new judge?” said DuBose. “Any thoughts on who it might be?”
He eyed her resignedly. “Desiree, it doesn’t really matter. Whoever it is will not be good for us. And that’s another reason to cut a deal.”
CHAPTER 36
ALL RISE,” SAID THE BAILIFF. “The Circuit Court of Freeman County, Virginia, is now in session. The Honorable Josiah T. Ambrose presiding.”
As the bailiff intoned on, they all stood. Through the chamber doorway strode a tall, slim man with a pencil-straight nose topped by gold-rimmed specs. His black robe was in conspicuous contrast to his white hair and trim beard.
The bailiff boomed, “Be seated.”
DuBose whispered, “Do you know Ambrose?”
Jack shook his head. “Never heard of him.”
He turned around to look at Howard Pickett. The man didn’t appear to care one way or another about this development, which instantly made Jack suspicious.
He and DuBose had earlier made their formal appearance as Pearl’s attorneys and had represented the woman at her arraignment, where bail had been denied.
Ambrose peered down at everyone with an oddly benevolent expression.
“Miss DuBose, may I welcome you back to the commonwealth? My friends on the Virginia Supreme Court sang your praises during the Loving appeal, though they ultimately ruled against you. But you and your esteemed colleagues of course prevailed in federal court.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” she said, looking surprised.
Ambrose focused on Battle, who was sitting placidly with his hands on the table in front of him.
“Mr. Battle, one week preparation for a death penalty case? Really, sir?”
Both Jack and DuBose sat up straighter and looked on with heightened interest.
Battle stood. “Judge Ambrose, though we had no obligation to do so, we have provided our entire case to the defense. I also made a plea offer which would have precluded the need for a trial entirely, but they rejected it.”
“You rejected a plea offer?” said Ambrose, eyeing DuBose and Jack, it seemed, with disappointment.
DuBose rose. “We did, Your Honor, because our client maintains his innocence.” She did not mention the fact that Jerome now wanted to exchange his life in order to let his wife go free.
“Nonetheless, one week is more than sufficient time,” said Battle.
Ambrose looked at DuBose. “Response?”
She said, “There is no reason to rush this case, Your Honor. Indeed, we just learned that the commonwealth has added another defendant. We need time to properly evaluate the evidence, do our investigation, and prepare an adequate defense.”
“How much time?” queried Ambrose.
“One month.”
Ambrose fingered his gavel and looked suitably troubled by the decision he was about to render.
“I would agree with you but for the fact that Mr. Battle has provided you with far more discovery than is required. I was a defense lawyer many moons ago, and I can’t recall receiving anything near to what you did from Mr. Battle.”
“But this is now a death penalty case,” countered DuBose.
“That does not alter the fact that the commonwealth has been far more than accommodating with its pretrial discovery. Now, I would have preferred that a plea arrangement had been struck, but it was not. However, I agree with you that one week is not enough time.” He considered for a few moments. “Trial will commence in two weeks. Jury selection will not exceed one day.”
Ambrose smacked down his gavel. “Court is dismissed.” He disappeared back into his chambers.
Jack looked at DuBose. “Well, it’s better than a week but not by much.”
