Woodcutter's Revival, page 15
Judge Baldini said, “This is a pre-trial hearing to determine if Stewart Taylor should be tried for the attempted murder and assault and battery of Sven Erickson, a co-worker at Townsend Construction. It will be a little less formal than a jury trial, although we will follow the same procedures. I will weigh the evidence and decide whether to proceed. Prosecution, opening statement, please.”
“Your honor and observers, the State intends to prove that Mr. Taylor did intentionally and deliberately assault Mr. Sven Erickson on the evening of March twentieth, nineteen hundred and six, at about ten minutes after six. We have witnesses who saw Mr. Taylor attack Mr. Erickson. The police officer who was first on the scene completed the investigation.”
Judge Baldini said, “Defense, opening statement.”
“Your honor, the defense intends to prove that Mr. Taylor did not have time or motive to commit this beating of Mr. Erickson. The prosecution is basing their case on circumstantial evidence, sloppy detective work and nefarious motives of their own to divert the attention of the legal system regarding the actions of the groups with which the alleged witnesses associate. We can demonstrate that Mr. Taylor is innocent of the charges.”
Judge Baldini, “Prosecution may call their first witness. “
“The prosecution calls Julius Knapp.”
Bailiff, “Place your right hand on the Bible. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God? “
“I do.”
“Do you recognize this man? Let the record show, I am pointing at Stewart Taylor?”
“Yes.”
“Where have you seen him?”
“I saw him hit Mr. Erickson with a plank of wood.”
“Thank you, no further questions”
Judge Baldini said, “Defense cross?”
“Where were you when you saw Mr. Taylor hit Mr. Erickson?”
“I was on the sidewalk in front of the construction site.”
“Was the construction site dark or lit?”
“It was just starting to get dark.”
“How could you tell the weapon was a plank?”
“I just figured it was. A shovel would have been handy and all.”
“So, you are guessing it was a plank of wood?”
Julius’s eyes widened as he instinctively looked over at Mr. Connor, who quickly nodded his head to the affirmative. “Yes, I guess it was a plank of wood.”
“Did you stop to see if Mr. Erickson was injured?”
“No officer Nelson arrived on the scene almost immediately. We figured he had the situation under control.”
Mr. Peterson asked, “Did officer Nelson arrest you?”
“No.”
“How did you know the officer was Officer Nelson?”
Mr. Connor, “I object!”
Judge Baldini answered, “Overruled. Answer the question.”
Julius once again looked at Mr. Conner with wide eyes and a panicked expression.
Judge Baldini said, “The witness is advised to answer the question.”
Julius fumbled, “He, uhm … uhm, Officer … uh, Nelson questioned me that night.”
Mr. Peterson asked, “Point of order, your Honor. These proceedings carry the same weight for perjury as a regular trial, is that correct?”
Judge Baldini answered, “That is correct.”
“Thank you, your Honor.” Turning back toward the witness, “You did not volunteer to Officer Nelson that you had witnessed the attack?”
“No.”
“Were you arrested later that night?”
“That was a misunderstanding.”
Judge Baldini, “Answer yes or no, please.”
“Yes we were.”
“Did you make fun of the other prisoner for reading the Bible?”
“No.”
“Did you say, ‘There’s no hope?’”
“How’d you know that?”
“I will ask the questions. I am finished with him, your honor.”
Mr. Connor questioned August Knapp and established the same story.
Judge Baldini asked, “Defense cross?”
“Mr. Knapp, please describe what you saw on the evening in question.”
“I saw Mr. Taylor hit Mr. Erickson with some type of pole or long handle.”
“Other than the night that you allegedly saw Mr. Taylor strike Mr. Erickson, do you ever remember seeing Mr. Taylor?”
“No, just today in court.”
“Do you mean to tell me that you saw Mr. Taylor strike Mr. Erickson and you could remember him from almost two weeks ago, but you did not recognize him in jail that night?”
“The construction site was getting dark! “
“So you could not really see him well enough that night to recognize him six hours later?”
“We were drunk later.”
“Did you make fun of Mr. Taylor for reading the Bible?”
“That was him?”
“I will ask the questions.”
“Did you say, ’People only read the Bible when they are in trouble?’”
“Maybe something like that.”
“Do you believe in God?”
“What difference does that make?”
Mr. Connor shouted, “Objection!”
Judge Baldini asked, “Council?
James said, “I can establish relevance, your Honor.”
“Proceed, but let’s get there quickly.”
“Do you know where the laws of the land originate, such as do not steal, do not commit murder, and do not bear false witness?”
“The Ten Commandments, I suppose.”
“If you don’t believe in God, what difference does it make whether you kill a man?”
“You could get caught.”
“So it only matters to you whether you get caught or not?”
“You are twisting my words. “
Judge Baldini reminded him, “Answer with yes or no, please.”
“Do you believe in God?”
“People only turn to Him when they are desperate.”
“Then how can we believe any of your testimony when you swore to tell the truth on the Bible?”
“They told me to swear on the Bible.”
“What if they told you to bear false witness or to beat somebody yourself? “
Mr. Connor said, “Objection, the witnesses are not on trial here.”
Under his breath, James said, “They should be.”
Judge Baldini said, “The defense is reminded to keep their comments to themselves.”
“I am sorry, your honor. No further questions.”
Judge Baldini directed, “Prosecution, next witness.”
Mr. Conner stated, “The prosecution calls James Swanson.”
Big Jim was sworn in.
“Mr. Swanson, how are you involved in this situation?”
“I am the foreman on the construction site for Mr. Townsend.”
“Do you believe Mr. Taylor had motive to hit Mr. Erickson?”
“Objection, that calls for speculation.”
“Sustained.”
“Let me rephrase. Did anything peculiar happen at work that week?”
“Yes, I know Mr. Erickson and Mr. Taylor had words after work one evening before the fight.”
“Thank you. That is all.”
Judge Baldini asked for the defense to cross examine.
James asked, “Do you mean the two men argued after work?”
“Not really.”
“How did you know they talked away from work?“
“Some of the men told me.”
“So, you cannot say they had heated words, or even have firsthand knowledge of their conversation?”
“I guess not.”
“Did you warn Stewart to be careful to whom he talked?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He was a good worker. I didn’t want him to get into any trouble.”
“Was his discussion outside of work really any of your business?”
“No.”
“The defense is finished with this witness.”
“Does the prosecution have any more witnesses?”
“No, your Honor.”
“The defense may call their first witness.”
“The defense calls Mrs. Irene Peterson.”
Ma Peterson was sworn in.
“Mrs. Peterson, how do you know the defendant?“
“I run the boarding house right across from the construction site. Mr. Taylor rooms there. He is a wonderful boy. “
Judge Baldini instructed, “Just answer the questions please, Mrs. Peterson”
“Did Mr. Taylor come home after work on the day in question?”
“Yes, he did.”
“How long was he home?”
“I would say about fifteen or twenty minutes.”
“Did you see the Knapp brothers when you watched Stewart run to the construction site?
“No.”
“Thank you. The defense rests.”
“Would the prosecution like to cross examine the witness?”
“Mrs. Peterson, are you the aunt of Mr. Peterson, the council for the defense?“
Mr. Peterson exclaimed, “Objection! Relevance?”
“Sustained.”
“How do you know how long Mr. Taylor was home?”
“I saw him come in. I looked at the clock and it was about five after six. I heard him up in his room getting ready for supper, like he usually does. He washes his face and hands.”
“What was the next thing you heard?”
“Stewart came running down the steps, shouting for help. I woke up and watched where he went. He ran over to the construction site. A minute later, I saw Officer Nelson arresting him. It was so quick; there was no time for a fight. It had to have already happened.”
“How do you know the fight had not already happened and he came home for an alibi?”
“His shirt was clean when he came in, except for dirt from the construction site. He later got his shirt bloody attempting to help Mr. Erickson.”
Stewart was called to testify. He recounted how he saw the incident from his room. That was when he ran out. He identified the Knapp bothers as the attackers. Finally, Mr. Peterson asked, “Had you seen these men before?”
Stewart said, “I saw them, Mr. Townsend and Mr. Connor talking at a café about a week before the attack.”
Mr. Peterson handed a copy of the arrest report to Stewart. “Have you ever seen this?”
“No.”
“It was not filled out that evening with Officer Nelson?”
“No, he turned me over to the jailer and said, ‘That is the end of my shift. I will see you tomorrow.’”
“Your honor, it is too bad Officer Nelson is not here to verify the validity of this arrest report. By the date, it appears to have been completed the next morning, as the Knapp brothers were added as witnesses.”
“Objection, your Honor. Is the defense testifying?”
“Overruled, you may proceed.”
“Your honor, the defense moves to strike this report as invalid, since the officer was not called to validate it, and they did not even find the witnesses or talk to them that night, prior to their own arrests.”
“I will take that under advisement.”
At that moment, there was a commotion at the back of the court room. Sven was awake and being wheeled into the courtroom in a wheel chair. Judge Baldini exclaimed, “Order in the court or I will have this room cleared!”
“Your Honor, the defense would like to call Mr. Erickson to the stand.”
“Objection, the people have not been advised of this witness.”
“Overruled, Mr. Erickson may be sworn in.”
Sven was sworn in. “Mr. Erickson, did Mr. Taylor attack you or, to the best of your knowledge, have any reason to assault you?”
“No, it vas dose two,” Sven replied, pointing at the Knapp brothers. “One vas talking to me from der front, vile de udder snuck around und hit me from behind. I turned chust in time to see him swingin’ der vooden plank. See, der gash ist right here across der side of my head.”
Mr. Peterson came to his feet, “Your honor, I move the charges against my client be dropped. I also request that a special prosecutor be called to investigate the connection between Mr. Connor and the Knapp brothers.”
Judge Baldini exclaimed, “The Court finds insufficient evidence to proceed to trial! The matter of calling a special prosecutor is beyond my jurisdiction. Case dismissed!”
All the observers in the court room cheered, except the Knapp brothers, Mr. Conner and Big Jim. Mr. Conner had some heated words for the Knapp brothers; although he was not loud enough for others to hear what was said. Townsend had already walked out. He looked at Big Jim and they shrugged their shoulders offering a disgusted look as if they were the victims.
James extended his hand to Mr. Conner, who did not extend his. James said, “This isn’t over.”
Conner retorted, “You’re just a fart in a skillet, some Johnny-come-lately, out to make a name for himself.”
“We’ll see.”
Stewart could not hug Sven because of the wheel chair and bandages. They shook each other’s hands and grasped their left hands across the top of their right hands. Stewart said, “I prayed a lot for you.”
Sven replied, “I know you did boy. Der doctor said it vas a miracle, especially dat first night dat I lived. He says I am doing fine. Chust need rest.”
“Will you go back to Townsend’s?”
“I don’t tink dey vant me. I vould not go back anyway. Dare are a lot of construction jobs in dis town.”
Stewart suggested, “Let’s keep in touch. You know where I am.”
“I vill, boy! I vill.”
That night Stewart read: “I prayed to the Lord and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy, no shadow on their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and He listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him.”
Stewart prayed, “Thank you, Lord for protecting and defending me. You satisfy all my needs and take away all my fears. I have one more concern. I will not call it a fear, but I will probably need a job.“
Stewart decided to go to church on Sunday. He regretted that he had not been looking for a church since he left home. Then he remembered the verse, “Where two or more are gathered in My name, I am among them.” Stewart thought, “Michael and I were in church several times a week, not just on Sunday.”
Stewart asked Ma Peterson where they went to church. She told him the times of services and gave him directions on how to get there. He asked, “What denomination is the church?”
Ma Peterson chuckled a little. “I have not heard anybody ask about the denomination for some time now. It is non-denominational.”
He thought out loud, “Well, it’s worth looking into.”
As Stewart entered the church building, he observed the people going in to worship. Everybody seemed happy and friendly. Several people greeted him warmly. He noticed that not everybody looked the same as him. There was a Chinese family in the pew in front of him. There were several families that were either former slaves or descendents of slave families. He also heard some Scandinavian accents and a different family that appeared to be Hispanic, consisting of several generations.
He enjoyed the music as the opening hymns were Amazing Grace and It is Well with My Soul - his absolute favorite hymns in the world. The emotion of worshipping in a church building with an organ player, combined with the long absence from formal church; the friendliness of the congregation members; the joy of Sven’s recovery; and, the charges being dropped made it impossible for Stewart to conceal his tears of joy.
The preacher stood up and smiled, as he motioned the congregation to take their seats. “Today, I want to conclude my sermon on Radical Christianity.” Do you remember what the word ’radical’ means? Radix is the word for ’root.’ Radical means going back to the original meaning of what we learn and do. Radical also means reform that goes back to the roots. It is chopping out a bad tree by the roots, rather than constantly raking the leaves. To eradicate is to take something out by the roots. We are not Protestant. We are pre-Protestant Christians!
“I want to keep politics out of the church, but when you discuss something with somebody and they do not agree, they may resort to labeling you rather than discussing the issues. Even in this great land of ours, people will still attempt to dominate your thoughts, try to convince you to think like them and even control or suppress you if you think differently.
“If you disagree politically, they will label you progressives, muckrakers, reformers, radical, and the dreaded - socialist. They will hide behind Democrat, Republican, Liberal, and Conservative. What is the answer in these trying times? Go back nineteen hundred years. What did Jesus say? Was Jesus Catholic, Mormon, Methodist, capitalist, or socialist? There are some truths, although partial truths in all of these philosophies and religions.
“I won’t attempt to tell you the difference between philosophy and religion - they are too similar. Jesus said, ‘Your treasure is where your hearts is.’ James said, ‘Out of the abundance of your heart, your tongue speaks.’ That which you worship will be your god. That which you think is serving you, is your master.
“I can tell you the difference between religion and faith. Religion is making God into our desired image of Him through rules, regulations and traditions of men, and ‘good’ living. Religion keeps more people from God than any other man-made institution. Faith is reaching out to God as a sinner and asking for forgiveness. It is asking Him to dwell in your heart and, through the Holy Spirit, inspiring and empowering you to live beyond your abilities and limitations.”
“Amen! Preach it, Brother!”
“Did Jesus talk about politics? Did He talk about social reform? Did He address the worker and employer relationship? You tell me. I will share a few passages. On being radical, He said your life should reflect your faith. James, one twenty-two through twenty five says, ‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.’ Do what it says. ‘Anyone who listens to the word but does not do it is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.’
