Chapter 8: Proverbs 25:2 - The Cell Next Door

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out of matter. 

Chris and I delved deeper into his case and made progress.  Chris was beginning to open up to me about everything.  On this particular day, we were discussing his case and appeal.  I was looking for grounds for an appeal.  “So, you're saying you took a plea before having a preliminary hearing,” I asked.  “Yes,”  Chris replied.  "Are you sure you get in a wave your rights to a preliminary hearing?" I asked.  “What do you mean,” Chris said.  "Did you sign something saying you don't want a preliminary hearing?"  I asked, " I don't think so," he managed.  "Why did you sign a plea agreeing to the maximum punishment?" I questioned.  “Colorado had the death penalty, and they told me if I didn't take the plea, they would give me the death sentence." So, that’s a threat, sign here or die, right?  I replied.  “I felt like it,” he said.  "I don't think they can do that, bro,” I told Chris.  I leafed through Black’s Law Dictionary and found change of venue.  “Bro, this says if your case has a lot of publicity, you can hear your case somewhere else, and in your case, perhaps another country," I laughed.  "Or another planet," he laughed in return.  "At least he could find humor in his nearly hopeless situation.  “My attorney told me to file ineffective assistance of counsel on him,” he said.  “So, basically, he told you that he didn’t assist you in your best possible defense as required by law.”  I said.  “Also, it takes these types of cases a couple of years to resolve.  Your case only took a few months.  That's not normal or even heard of.”  I told him.  “If I go back to court on appeal, they will transfer me back to Colorado and the inmates and people there wanted to kill me, which is why they sent me here.  I'm just not looking forward to reliving all of this.  It was the worst thing I've ever experienced,” he said.  "I know but do it for your parents.  They love you, and it would mean the world to your mom." I said.  "Yeah, it would, but these phone calls are recorded, and I said too much over these phone calls.” he admitted.  “You also had three different ways you said you did it," I explained. "Because I confessed, how will I come back from that?" Chris asked.  “They threatened your life and got you, no wait, bullied you into a guilty plea.  You were an easy target.  The husband. 

They needed this case under arrest for some reason.”  I conveyed.  There was an election coming up I think,” he said.  "Now we can go over these circuit court trial errors all day, but it will come down to you fighting your cases again if you get your sentence overturned.  You will be back on trial and then the truth will have to come out.”  “I don't want to cause my wife's family anymore grief," Chris said. "What about your family and their constant grief?  I pointed out.  "All you can do from here is redeem yourself because you confessed to murdering your wife and kids in cold blood."  “We didn't,  I didn't murder them in cold blood.”  Chris replied slightly defensively.  “My wife came home, and she knew I was having an affair.  We got into a fight, and she attacked me.  I was simply defending myself. Then my daughter,  she “Standing count” the Sergeant announced, interrupting our conversation.  After she did her round, we continued intently. 

"Afterward, I talked to Jezebel.  I panicked, so I confided in her, and she said she would help me.  My wife medicated her heavily that night because she kept crying.  After I killed my wife, by choking her, she had a knife.  It was an accident.  I loved her with all my heart and still do.  I just want to honor her memory and not ruin her memory.  People want the truth, but I don't owe it to anyone.  It's my family that I lost, and it's me that's serving life in prison.  What else do I owe?" Chris asked.  "You owe yourself a fair chance, redemption at that.  The truth shall set you free, bro.  The balls in your court.  Only you can file and appeal your case.  Only you can put the truth out there and only God can judge you,” I explained.  “When they tell me to put my hand on the Bible and swear, I'm going to open it to where Jesus forbids oaths,” Chris laughed.  “Well, I am not sure how that will fly, but I would love to see the reaction in the courtroom.”  “Anyway, I told my mistress what had happened, and she told me how to hide my wife’s body.  She said to bring the girls with.  I was just on an autopilot, like, in shock, so I grabbed my younger daughter out of the bed where she was sleeping.  My older daughter was awake and asking about her mom.  I told her that her mom was in a deep sleep and daddy was going to get her some help to wake up.  Before we left, I had to go check in with...” and we were interrupted again.  “Mr. Tallman, you have a pass to CPU,” the Sergeant announced.  I was going to see my clinical psychologist.  “We'll finish this conversation when I get back, all right?” I suggested. “Yeah, sure," Chris replied.  "I've heard a lot about people's cases directly from them.  This case was different from the rest.  I have a discerning spirit, and I was able to tell that he wouldn't murder a fly in cold blood.  However, what I know so far is that he killed his wife, but not intentionally.  Next, I was going to find out exactly what happened to the girls until next time.