A Short Note On Criminals

Officer James had then followed us back to my house to inform my parents of what had happened tonight and let them know it was nothing we did wrong but simply all the officers fault. The officer just wanted to make sure we made it home safe and so that they could explain it all to our parents. Especially Ceejay and I’s parents because we were the ones that had been tased. The look on my mom's face was priceless when we pulled into the driveway with the police car following.

At 1:30 in the morning on 30 March I was awakened by sharp, unfriendly knocks at my door, the unmistakable signature of the police. ‘The time has come,’ I said to myself as I opened the door to find half-a-dozen armed security policemen. They turned the house upside down, taking virtually every piece of paper they could find. I was then arrested without a warrant, and given no opportunity to call my lawyer. They refused to inform my wife as to where I was being taken. I simply nodded at Winnie; it was no time for words of comfort.(pg.239)

When Booker pushed open the warehouse door the following morning, he found the derelict space empty. Confused, he glanced at his watch. At just past quarter to eight, Tom was late, and the dark-haired officer couldn’t help but wonder if he would show up at all. His harsh words the previous night had obviously impacted negatively on his friend, however, he still wasn’t sure what he could say to take the hurt away. He wasn’t proud of his actions, and he deeply regretted his disparaging remarks, especially because his target was a man who lacked confidence. After their altercation, he’d sought solitude in a bottle of whiskey, but his guilt had only escalated as he struggled to make sense of his feelings. It was then he had started to wonder if he really was a bully who got off on other people’s pain.

'Taylor Jones, he's a richer man than Herb Clutter ever was. Now, pretend the fellow who done it wasn't anyone from here-abouts. Pretend he'd been maybe hired to kill, and all he had was instructions on how to get to the house. Well, it would be mighty easy to make a mistake - take a wrong turn - and end up at Herb's place 'stead of Taylor's.'” (114.) Gossip spreads like wildfire, especially due to the time of year that the crime took place, “'If it was spring and work to be done, they wouldn't be here. But wheat's in, winter's on the way, they got nothing to do but sit around and scare each other.'” commented Mrs. Hartman on page 113. In addition to the gossip of motive, a topic that shattered the sense of community and safety is that the masses assumed the murderer would be a citizen of Holcomb. “Another reason, the simplest, the ugliest, was that this hitherto peaceful congregation of neighbors and old friends had suddenly to endure the unique experience of distrusting each other; understandably, they believed that the murderer was among themselves, and, to the last man, endorsed an opinion advanced by Arthur Clutter, . . .

Terror stricken, she said softly, “Then the death of my dear friend would have been in vain. The betrayal of Freddie and the other lads would account for nothing. He’s got to be found,” she stopped and later burst into a torrent of tears, “otherwise, I will be killed by his henchman, who I fear is still taking orders from him.”

“Is there a problem, Miss?” One of the officers asked again. Wanting so badly to say that everything was all right, and send them away. Carol, for a few seconds, stares at William searching his eyes for an apology, but all she could see was hatred and the frightened looks on her children’s faces. And they could not be described in words.

“They’ll believe that. I didn’t know it would kill Andrew. And when he was dead,

“I didn’t want that mad bat shit crazy motherfucker to see us dude, have you ever seen any start to any horror movie man, witnesses are always killed. Snitches get stiches bro.”

‘”Yer goin’ in, Hemmings, the captain muttered. ‘The inmates wanna talk.’ ‘Its’ too late, ‘ he protested. Hawkins spat on the ground. ‘That don’t make no difference, Hemmings.’ Tom felt his brow sweating. ‘Then get some one else.’ Hawkins folded his arms. His face was now sulky – his eyes hard as ice. ‘The inmates are asking for you, Hemmings. You and you alone.’

“Pretty much,” he sighed, almost as if he felt bad, but I could tell he didn't, "My brother did some messed up things, robbed a bank, hurt a bunch of people. But I couldn't let him go to prison, so I messed with a case file, and she found out. Was gonna tell, so I killed her. A cop in prison is a death sentence, you know this, and so I wasn't letting me or my brother go to prison. And even if you tell anyone no one will believe you, and the cops would never work with you, so I know you're not bugged. Give it up, no one will believe you and I gave you some

He took a sip of water to rid his torrid throat and began to speak. “Love I am sorry, about everything. You clean this house and make our dinners. You watch our son and most of all you support me any time I need it. You did not deserve the cruel things I said to you. I am truly sorry.” Mary Ann felt something ping at her heart, she almost wanted to forgive him but Henry did not stop there. “I know you must of have felt alone and scared when I pushed you away but you know how I am with work. The other officers will mock me for having a wild wife and-”

“Stop right there, Orson, or I swear to God I’ll shoot you!” Denny brandished the pistol.

She started to yell at him: “Where have you been?...Why didn’t you call me?” “-I was robbed and someone hit my head and I don’t really remember how I got here-” he told her back “-Can you stop yelling? You should be at least concerned if I’m okay” he

On the way to the hospital, Margaret asked the paramedics to call her family and have them meet her at the hospital. When he received the call, Andrew wept with happiness as he called his son to tell him that they had rescued Margaret and wanted him to meet them at the hospital.

He mumbled, “Yes, your honor.” An alternative scenario entered Andre’s mind, in which he explained the truth: “Your honor, it wasn’t me. I don’t steal, and I’m a complete stranger to violence.” However, reality returned. Andre felt as though the justice system was against him, that the world was in hot pursuit, demanding blood.