Among Thieves

It was a virtually automated process; the prosecutors had only a few minutes with any given file, and they treated each according to established guidelines. Fi

Fi

Kristin Kelley stood up. “Attorney Kelley for the Commonwealth,” she said. She looked over at Fi

Devon was led in from the front of the courtroom, still in his jailhouse fatigues. He was shackled at both his wrists and ankles, but otherwise he seemed relaxed. “Your Honor, if I may confer with my client for a minute?” Fi

“Thirty seconds, counsel.” Judge Platt yawned. “All we need right now is an initial plea-guilty or not. Anything more complicated than that you can deal with once we’re done. I don’t want to hold the others here up.”

Devon duckwalked in his shackles behind the desk. He put his fingers to his lips and made a zipping motion. “I’m keeping quiet,” he said, winking. “This is your show.”

“Good,” Fi

“I know,” Devon said. “I swear, though, you’re go

“It’s not about the money, Devon,” Fi

Fi

“Yeah,” Fi

Judge Platt shifted in his chair on the bench. “Time’s up, counsel,” he said. “Do you waive reading?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Fi

Any sense of confidence that Devon had exuded when he walked into the courtroom was gone. His eyes were wheeling. “Wait, Fi

“How does your client wish to plead?” the judge asked.

“Not guilty,” Fi

“Fi

“Counsel, please instruct your client that I will not tolerate outbursts.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Fi

“I assume you’re looking for bail, Mr. Fi

“Your Honor, we would ask that the defendant be released on his own recognizance.”

“Mr. Fi

“That’s true, Judge,” Fi

“We’ve got to talk!” Devon said, louder this time, drawing another look from the judge.

Kelley used Fi

“Mr. Malley has not been convicted of theft in more than twenty years,” Fi

“It’s true, it’s been a while since he was convicted of a crime,” Kelley conceded. “He has been arrested seven times in the past decade, though.”

“He was not convicted in any of those cases, Your Honor. You can’t really punish him for the overzealousness of the police department and the DA’s office, can you?”

“Your Honor, this is outrageous!” Kelley nearly shouted. “To suggest that this man is somehow a victim of the system is over the top, even for Mr. Fi

“Settle down, both of you,” Platt said. He waved his hand in a dismissive way, but Fi

“He does, Your Honor,” Fi

“Where is she staying at the moment?”

“For the past two nights she has stayed with me, Your Honor.” He laced his fingers in front of him and looked down, adopting the posture of an altar boy. “She has no relatives, and with Mr. Malley in jail there have been few options.” He was selling now, and he was hoping Platt was in a buying mood. “Mr. Malley’s primary concern at the moment is to make sure that he is there for his little girl.”

“Oh, please,” Kelley objected, rolling her eyes. “If Mr. Malley is such a model parent, why did he spend last Sunday night out in the Back Bay ripping off a boutique? This man is a real flight risk, Your Honor.”

“You really think he’s going to abandon his daughter?” Fi

“Mr. Fi

Fi

Devon punched him in the face. Hard.

It was an excellent shot, made more effective by the fact that Fi

There was a moment of silence in the courtroom, followed by pandemonium. The bailiffs were ru

“Okay! Okay! Okay!” Devon screamed as he fought to fend off the blows. It was useless, though, and Fi

The din died almost as quickly as it had started once he was gone. Fi

“Your Honor, the Commonwealth opposes bail in any amount,” she said simply. Fi

“Judge,” Fi

“Save it, Mr. Fi

“But Your Honor,” Fi

“Enough, Mr. Fi