The Scales of Unequal Justice

By Raymond Mendez

Crimes does pay for who? If the people are corrupt then the system is corrupt

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483594347

Book preview

introduction.

The Scales of Unequal justice

If The People Are Corrupt,

The System Is Corrupt.

Chapter 1

Living in the city

New York City. Gotham. The City So Nice, They Named It Twice. Nick named The Concrete Jungle. The City That Never Sleeps. Moreover, of course, The Big Apple. Early one morning, Rashine is making his way home from a night on the town. At this hour, he notices trucks collecting tons of trash from earlier in the day. He hears the sound of Emergency Vehicle sirens echoing through the air, a perceived sound New Yorkers hear 24 hours a day.

The streets sweepers journey along, spraying water, sanitizing the streets of NYC; meanwhile, transit is gearing up for the furious rush that starts at five o’clock. New York is where thousands of people try to fit through double train doors like a stampede of horses on the run while musicians play instruments and beg for money.

Broadway and 42nd Street a transfer stop to board additional trains going to different destinations in downtown New York. This is where the Queens-bound passengers take the long walk down Hallelujah Alley. Self-proclaimed clergymen of different faiths and nationalities sermonize in their native languages about the end of times. Literature is handed out to passing people in an attempt to save the lost souls of New Yorkers.

During a journey through the subways tunnels, young kids with their music boxes wander. They are dressed in baggy pants, large tee shirts, and different colored sneakers. When the music starts, they demonstrate the art of Hip Hop dance.

Lucky passengers are entertained with acrobatics inside the train car. The entertainers board the train and stand in the middle of the car. One addresses the passengers as they are about to perform. In the flicker of an eye, they are hanging upside down with their feet supported by the handrails. In this position, they move along the car. They are twisting up and down, around the pole, like strippers in a gentlemen’s club.

There is more entertainment in the subways of New York than most cities have in their Center of the Arts districts. Much of the talent is superior to what is on the professional circuit. A five piece jazz band, a four string quartet, and R&B groups are performing for your entertainment.

You will find yourself on crowded trains, face-to-face with people you have never seen before in your life. Some men rub against women each time the train jerks in receipt of a free feel on the side. People in New York experience this behavior every day. They are immune to the conditions.

The clock goes off at 6 o’clock a.m. It is time for Rashine to rise and shine, prepare for work, and makes it through one more day before the weekend begins. Rashine sits up with his eyes still sleepy and barely open. He moves his hands up to pry his eyes wide-open. He can now see as he begins to ease his six-foot, trim body off the bed. The consistent routine begins. He turns on the TV to NBC. The Today Show is on, the morning show where the women hosts look like Miss America contestants and the men look like male models (but so does the cool-hat-wearing weatherman.)

He jumps into the shower, brushes his teeth, and notices his dreadlocks look like they have grown two to three inches overnight. He walks over to the closet to decide what he should wear to work today. It’s Thursday so he goes through what he has worn all week and narrows it down to just a few items.

The selection of what to wear is made time to get dressed. He decides on the heavy starch white shirt with stripes. Brown cotton pants with the military crease. Boxers, not briefs. Lastly, the comfortable dock-like shoes. He takes one last look in the mirror to make sure everything is just right. Thick eyelashes a woman would die for, giving him that dreamy-eyed gaze. His chalk white teeth and flawless skin give him that model look. Everything is good. Now, rush to the subway just in time to catch the approaching train.

The train arrives, the doors open. It is time to squeeze into a train car. He maneuvers into a location where people will not crush him before he gets downtown. This helps him avoid smelling the colognes, perfumes, and odors of other passengers. Stop after stop, people pour into the train car until Rashine finally reaches his destination.

He dashes out and goes through the subway tunnel; on his way up to street level, he takes two stairs at a time. He is at the street level. It is time to pick up the pace. Everyone is hastening to get to his or her jobs. Masses of yellow cabs are speeding through the streets with one purpose— getting passengers to their destinations on time. Cars horns are blowing as far as the ear can hear, trying to move the traffic in front of them faster. Rashine crosses the street walking almost at a running pace. He is bumping people along the way, but never breaking his stride. He arrives at his building. The last journey to prepare for is the mad rush into the elevator.

When the doors open people pile into the elevator. He is thrust to the rear before the doors close. The elevator stops, floor after floor, as people exit, relieving space. Rashine exits on the twenty-second floor and goes through his customary morning routine—the normal ‘good mornings’ and ‘hellos’ throughout the office. When he has completed his morning greetings, it is back to the elevator and down to the café for breakfast.

He purchases his normal breakfast sandwich of eggs, sausage and cheese on a croissant, along with coffee and a newspaper. He goes back upstairs to the office to start the workday.

The day starts with talking to his co-workers about the NBA finals from last night’s game. Lunchtime arrives. Rashine and the co-workers go to their favorite deli to discuss tactics for happy hour after work on Friday. Rashine orders his favorite sandwich the Reuben. The two co-workers order hot Pastrami on Rye and a Cheese steak. A full day of work is over; it is the reverse situation to go home. He makes a mad rush to the elevator, to the subway, and onto the train.

Rashine arrives home. It is the same old routine. He drinks a beer to help him settle down after a busy day of work. Now that he is pacified, he decides what to cook for dinner. After dinner, he watches TV before falling asleep. He is awakened at two in the morning from the TV left on. He turns the TV off and goes back to bed.

The clock goes off. It is six o’clock in the morning, time to get up and go to work. Today is payday. He can hardly wait until the day is over so the fun can begin.

The end of the workday arrives. It is five o’clock—happy hour. Rashine along with two coworkers, travel to their favorite watering hole After five. When they enter, voices are loud and the music is deafening as they search for a table to observe their surroundings. A strategic area is located where their hawk eyes can prowl the room by Rashine.

Finally, after surveying the room, they zero in on their objective. There they are…three of them…three of us. Thank God for human radar. Now for the advance waitress, we would like to buy those young ladies a drink. The three women acknowledge their appreciation to the men for the drinks. The conversation can now take place with smiling faces. The old buy-the-drink approach works again. The exchange of personal information after the conversations have ended makes for a successful night.

When it turns dark in Manhattan, it is hard to determine dawn from late evening. The bright lights from billboards, streetlights, and buildings in the city illuminate the night sky. Rashine decides to depart from the bar after four hours.

Walking down Eighth Avenue, he becomes aware of three men approaching from a distance. He notices weapons as they draw closer. Without hesitation, he takes off running as the three men chase him. He turns the corner and glances behind him. It appears the chase has ended.

He turns the next corner and hears a voice calling to him from a distance,

You, come over here! He turns to look. It is New York’s finest, a police officer, summoning him. The officer orders Rashine to come along with him and they begin walking together.

He starts explaining to the officer about the three men he encountered. He describes to the officer the type of clothing warned by the individuals who were chasing him (knit caps, sweatshirts, baggy jeans, etc.)

From a distance, he becomes aware of a crowd further down the street in the direction they are headed. The closer they draw to them, the louder the shouts become.

One person shouts out, He is the one!

The officer instructs him to step to the side and asks, Why were you running?

Officer, I told you before. Three men with guns who wanted to rob me were chasing me.

I did not see anyone chasing you; empty your pockets.

Rashine asks, Why?

Sir, just do as you are told.

He empties his pockets.

The officer says, I do not see anything. Excuse me.

Now the officer is talking to the storeowner. The officer asks the storeowner, Is this the person who robbed your store? He doesn’t fit the description.

The storeowner replies, Yes, he’s one of the robbers.

The officer orders Rashine to turn and face him. The officer starts reading his rights while he handcuffs him. The officer calls in to the precinct for assistance to transport Rashine to the police department. He is officially under arrest. His photo now taken and he is booked until his arraignment the next morning.

Rashine makes a phone call to his mother, ‘Sharon Lewis.’ He explains to his mother what has happened.

Rashine mother is in a state of shock after hearing the story told by Rashine. The nightmare of a mother child has hit home to the Lewis family. She assures her son she will be in court the next day. Sharon is a no-nonsense type of woman. She is a fighter, often underestimated because of her appearance. She turns heads walking in the hallways at work and walking down the streets. Sharon stands at five-foot-seven and weighs around a hundred and twenty pounds with light chestnut-colored eyes and a short haircut. Her appearance is always outstanding. Her medium-brown complexion is an even tone from head to toe. Once she applies makeup she looks like a piece of art—perfection.

The next morning Rashine awakened and handcuffed by the sheriff. He escorted to a van then transported to the courthouse. Waiting for the announcement of his name, he hears a voice shout his name, Rashine Lewis! Rashine looks up and notices an attorney trying to locate him.

Rashine answers, I am Rashine Lewis

Hi, my name is David Williams, I have been appointed by the court for your arraignment. Tell me what happened.

Rashine goes on to explain everything that happened that night.

Attorney Williams asks if he has ever been in trouble with the law.

Rashine replies, No, not even for a traffic ticket.

Okay, says Williams, I will ask the court to release you on your own recognizance since you have no priors.

The courtroom clerk calls, Rashine Lewis.

Williams answers, Here I am Attorney Williams, representing Mr. Lewis."

The courtroom clerk asks, How do you plead?

Not guilty.

The DA asks the court that bail be denied, claiming he is a flight risk.

The judge asks Lewis, Do you have a passport?

No, you’re Honor.

Williams addresses the court, Your Honor, Mr. Lewis has no priors, not even a traffic ticket. My client is an intern employed for the summer. He attends NYU and has never been in trouble with the law.

The DA states, We have eyewitnesses that put Mr. Lewis at the scene.

The Judge States, Bail is set at five hundred thousand dollars.

Williams responds, He does not have that kind of money.

The Sheriff then escorts Mr. Lewis from the courtroom to jail. The Judge informs both attorneys of the trial date.

Rashine’s mother walks over to his attorney after the arraignment, Mr. Williams what is going on here? How could they do this?

Williams asks Ms. Lewis if she wants to keep him as their attorney in this case.

Ms. Lewis does.

Back at the jailhouse, Rashine is talking to other inmates, getting their take on the justice system. They all agreed on one thing. It does not matter if you plead guilty or not, the sentence is still the same.

David Williams leaves the courthouse and returns to his office. He asks his administrator if he has any messages.

Yes. They are on your desk.

He instructs his administrator to contact Rashine witnesses.

A month after Williams completes his investigation, he concludes that there is no way Rashine could have committed this crime. The investigation corroborated what Rashine and his co-workers have said about the timeline of the crime. In addition, none of the robbers’ descriptions matches Rashine. The officer did not think Rashine could be one of the people that robbed the store. The witnesses pointed to Rashine only because the officer brought him to the crime scene. He calls Rashine mother of his conclusions of the investigation. He reassures her that there should be no problem getting the charges drop on Rashine. Hearing the good news and reassures from Attorney Williams, she has a sign of relief.

A week before trial is to proceed, Williams receives a call from the courthouse. The clerk informs Williams that he been transferred to a different courtroom.

He asks the clerk who will take Rashine’s case.

"

Attorney Turner" replies the clerk.

Immediately after he hangs up, he receives a call from Turner who informs him that he now has Rashine’s case and would like all details of the case forwarded to him. William divulges the facts of the cast to Turner before sending him the case file.

If I have any questions I will give you a call," replies Turner.

Turner is a skinny, medium-height, fast-talking, flamboyant attorney whose personality resembles a hustler more than an attorney. He shows up wearing a tailor-made suit with Gator shoes and a Rolex watch.

Chapter 2

Rashine day in court

Court day has arrived. After prison guards awaken Rashine, he gets dressed for court. Rashine’s mother arrives at the courthouse and begins looking for David Williams; but, he is nowhere in sight.

Suddenly, she hears someone calling her name. Ms. Lewis? She quickly responds, I am Sharon Lewis.

I am Attorney Turner, appointed by the court to represent your son. Mr. Williams could not make it. I am familiar with your son’s case. I am going to negotiate with the District Attorney to place Rashine on probation.

My son had nothing to do with this crime. He was at the bar with co-workers when this took place.

Turner explains, The state has an eyewitness who places your son at the crime scene.

Well, this eyewitness is a liar.

He glances over his shoulder tell her I will be back. I am going to speak with the DA about the case.

Judge Green is now in his chambers. He is of average height, has a rather plump physique, and has salt and pepper hair, with the perfect amount of shine, adding to his authoritative appearance. He looks more like a CEO than a Judge. He speaks with a loud, baritone voice.

A clerk enters his chambers to inform him that there is a packed house today.

The District Attorney and Turner knock at the judge’s door. He tells them to come in. The clerk leaves the judge’s chambers to return to the courtroom.

The district attorney asks, how many do you think are going to jail?"

Judge Green, Throw out a number!

75? The DA Quotes.

Ok. 75 it is, Green responds. I will send every defendant I can to a minimum of three years. After all, they are guilty of something.

Turner and the district attorney leave the Judge’s chamber and return to the courtroom.

The clerk announces roll call when she returns to the courtroom. Courtroom Clerk announces when I call your name please answer present and then your plead guilty or not guilty. Rashine Lewis

Turner answers Present. Not guilty.

Turner and the district attorney leave the courtroom to return to the judge’s chambers after roll call.

Turner, Judge, my client pleaded not guilty. It is not going as we planned. His mother also insists he’s not guilty and his coworkers want to be character witnesses for him.

Judge Green asks, "Are his witnesses here today?

No. I did not subpoena any of his witnesses.

There is nothing to worry about since witnesses who are not present cannot testify.

I will make his mother think a deal been worked out.

The DA reassures them that he has witnesses on standby in case situations like this happen. They’re the best kind. They are white. Therefore, if he wants to play innocent, we will give him the max—25 years. He will have to serve at least 15 years for pleading innocent.

Turner nods and says, all right. I will convey to his mother that everything is going to be fine. Watch the expression on her face when she hears 25 years. I will act genuinely surprised—as if I am in a state of utter shock."

The clerk states, "All rise. This court is now in session.

The honorable Paul Green is presiding over these proceedings. Judge Green commands, Sit. Please call your first case."

The clerk announces, The state verses Ms. Judy Heist.

Judge Green addresses the defendant, You pleaded guilty to shop lifting.

Yes, you’re Honor.

"The court finds you guilty as