“Does the defendant have anything to say for herself,” the judge said.
Courtney shrugged.
“May I speak on her behalf, Your Honor,” Richard said.
“You may,” Judge Weissberg said. “So long as you’re brief.”
“I’ll do my best, Your Honor,” Richard said, standing. “As you can see, my daughter is a teenager whose actions were most certainly misguided. She is extremely apologetic and remorseful. She’s seventeen years old, Your Honor. The penalties that the Commonwealth is seeking seem unnecessarily harsh. We ask that she be remanded to the custody of both her mother and me without being further restricted.”
He sat down.
“Is it true she was a repeat offender? Weren’t there three incidents? One of them involving a serious accident?”
Richard stood again.
“We acknowledge that the accident was indeed her fault. We made restitution to the driver, who has declined to press charges. It’s possible that on the other two occasions, she may have been the victim of entrapment.”
“Entrapment?”
“She was being unreasonably dogged by a law officer who appears to bear her malice.”
“That’s a heady charge, Mr. Cassidy,” Judge Weissberg said.
Then, acknowledging Jesse’s presence, he said, “Is this the law officer?”
“It is,” Richard said.
“Chief Stone, is it?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Jesse said.
“What’s this all about?”
Jesse stood.
“I witnessed the accident,” he said. “Ms. Cassidy was texting on her cell phone when she ran a stop sign and broadsided another vehicle. Afterward, she exhibited disdain for what she referred to as a ‘stupid law’ and expressed her opinions to me in an argumentative and disrespectful manner.”
“May I raise an objection,” Portia said.
“No,” the judge said. “Go on, Chief Stone.”
“When I saw that Ms. Cassidy was unrepentant, I decided to keep an eye on her. I suspected she might be a chronic offender.”
“And?”
“On successive days I witnessed her talking on her cell phone while driving. The first time I saw her, I pulled her over and cited her. Once again, she was sullen and argumentative. The next day I caught her doing it again.”
Jesse sat down.
“He was badgering her,” Portia said.
The judge turned his attention to her.
“Did your daughter actually break the law in the manner Chief Stone has described?”
“You mean was she talking on her cell phone?”
“And texting.”
“I have no idea. I sincerely doubt it.”
“You’re suggesting that Chief Stone is lying,” the judge said.
“It’s not out of the question. I believe he was out to get her.”
Marty Reagan asked for permission to speak.
“In each instance,” he said, “Chief Stone impounded the cell phone which Ms. Cassidy had been using. Research proves that each of the phones was engaged at the time of the alleged offense.”
“Thank you, Mr. Reagan,” the judge said.
He then turned to Portia.
“I’m going to refrain from citing you for contempt, Mrs. Cassidy,” he said. “However, one more outburst and I’ll have you removed from my chambers and taken into custody. Are we clear about that?”
Portia lowered her eyes.
“Answer me.”
“Yes,” she said.
“‘Yes, Your Honor,’” the judge said. “You’ll damn well show respect for this court.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And I’ll hear your apology to Chief Stone.”
“Excuse me.”
“Apologize to Chief Stone for your insolence.”
Portia looked at Jesse.
“I apologize,” she said.
“Speak up,” the judge said.
“I apologize, Your Honor,” she said.
“To Chief Stone,” the judge said.
Portia looked at Jesse.
“I apologize, Chief Stone,” she said.
Jesse didn’t say anything.
The judge sat silently for several moments. Then he addressed Courtney.
“Miss Cassidy,” he said. “This court cannot emphasize strongly enough the dangers of distracted driving. Your actions suggest you don’t have much regard for that concept. Well, young lady, you’re dead wrong. I am herewith revoking your driving privileges for a period of not less than six months. At the end of that term, we’ll review the situation in order to determine whether or not I will extend the revocation for an additional six months. I am also sentencing you to six months of community service. The district attorney’s office has asked that your service be performed at the Paradise police station, under the supervision of Chief Stone. You will report to him not later than nine a.m. once a week for a period of six months. I will further consider the request for probation and inform the assistant district attorney of my decision.”
Judge Weissberg looked directly at each of the Cassidys.
Then he picked up his gavel and slammed it as hard as he could onto a wooden block, which resounded like a gunshot and startled everyone in the room.
“Dismissed,” he said.
37
Jesse lagged behind the Cassidys as they left the courthouse.
Richard and Portia were clearly agitated. Courtney seemed stunned.
They headed toward a black Lincoln Town Car that was waiting for them at curbside. A driver opened the back door.
“I suppose you’re satisfied,” Portia said to her husband.
He didn’t say anything.
“We got shafted. I certainly hope you’re planning to withdraw your support from his reelection campaign.”
Richard remained silent.
“Well,” Portia said.
She looked at him.
They were now standing beside the Lincoln. The driver stood awkwardly next to them, holding on to the car door as if for ballast.
Courtney stood apart, shifting her weight from foot to foot, her eyes downcast. She didn’t look at either of her parents.
“How dare he abandon us like that,” Portia said. “Who contributed more than we did.”
“He must have come under some kind of scrutiny,” Richard said.
“Probably from someone who has an ax to grind with you.”
“Why don’t you stay out of it, Portia. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh? Now I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“Keep out of it.”
“To hell with you, Richard.”
“Most likely he couldn’t risk being compromised,” he said, as if to himself.
“So she has to pay the price,” Portia said, indicating Courtney.
“I don’t mind,” Courtney said, looking up at her parents at last.
“What,” Portia said.
“Please stop arguing. I’ll do what the judge said. I can’t stand this constant arguing.”
“We’re only looking out for your best interests,” Richard said.
“You’re not. You’re making me the scapegoat so that the two of you can continue to fight with each other.”
Neither of her parents said anything.
“You hate each other.”
“How dare you say a thing like that,” Portia said.
“It’s true. You hate him. You never say anything nice to him. You’re horrible.”
“Don’t talk to your mother that way,” Richard said.
“You’re no better than she is,” Courtney said.
“Get in the car,” Portia said.
“No.”
“Do you want to be grounded?”
“I’m as good as grounded already. What does it matter?”
Portia walked over to Courtney and angrily grabbed her arm. “I said get in the car.”