Chapter 7

Two days later everyone in town heard about the trial and gather around the front of the courthouse eagerly waiting to hear what the verdict was.

Most of the townsfolk who knew and liked Little Joe couldn’t believe that he was guilty of the crime and were aghast when they heard that the prosecution’s primary witness was Amelia Cartwright.

They all felt sorry for the Cartwright’s especially for Joe and Amelia they even felt sorry for Ben.

It wasn’t a secret about how close Little Joe and Amelia were so when everyone heard that Amelia was forced to testify against him they felt very sorry for them especially Amelia’s best friend Emily and Joe’s best friend Mitch who were sitting together in the crowd.

Other townsfolk who didn’t like the Cartwright’s felt no sympathy for them what’s so ever. They were eager to hear that Joe Cartwright would be hanged.

Most of them weren’t surprised when they heard that Amelia would be testifying they thought it was some kind of Cartwright trick to get the jury and the Judge to believe that Joe was innocent.

While there was commotion and chaos going on outside the courthouse, there was just as much chaos and commotion inside.

Mr. Henson had called Amelia on the stand and began to question her. “Miss Cartwright can you please tell the court what happen the night the defendant, your brother Joseph Cartwright came home drunk?” asked Mr. Henson.

“It was just any other night for the family; my Pa was reading a book while my brother Hoss and I were playing a game of checkers. The peaceful night was interrupted when Joe came through the door. He was clearly drunk and had bruises on his face. My brothers try to get him upstairs but he wouldn’t go so I took it upon myself to take him into the kitchen and try to help get him clean up. Of course he was being difficult and stubborn and wanted me to leave him alone but when I didn’t he slapped me across the face causing my lip to bleed” explained Amelia honestly.“But he didn’t mean to it was an accident”.

 

“Have you ever seen him drunk like that before?” question the prosecutor”No I haven’t my brother is usually good about not drinking too heavily” said Amelia.

“How did you felt when you saw Joe drunk?” asked Mr. Henson.

“I was worry about him” said Amelia. “I see and how did you felt after he hit you?” asked Mr. Henson.

Amelia looks at the strong build heavy set prosecutor then turns to Joe who was watching her waiting to hear what her answer was. “I was… scared terrified I thought I was in some kind of bad dream that I wasn’t waking up from” said Amelia.

Joe bows his head down letting it sink in. He felt even guiltier now knowing what his sister had felt. “Was Joe aware of what he was doing that night when he hit you?” asked Mr. Henson.

“Joe wasn’t aware of it at all until after he hit me” said Amelia.

“How did you react?” asked Mr. Henson. “After he hit me his whole personality changed. He was very remorseful. You could tell by the look in his eyes his heart broke when he realize that he hit me” said Amelia.

“Do you think that if your brother is capable of hitting you then he is capable of beating a man to death?” grilled Mr. Henson. Amelia looks at him calmly and confidently. “No I don’t” said Amelia.

“Why is that?” asked the prosecutor. “Him hitting me and beating a man to death are two different things. Just because he hit me doesn’t mean that he is capable of beating someone to death. My brother is not guilty!” declared Amelia.

With no more questions for Amelia, she leaves the stand and walks past Joe who gave her a small smile. She sits between Ben and Hoss who gave her encouraging smiles.