Authors: Marti Green

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Thrillers, #Women Sleuths, #Thriller & Suspense, #United States, #Mystery, #Police Procedurals, #Legal

Presumption of Guilt (33 page)

At first, the state attorney argued that Molly wasn’t entitled to compensation. The law said no money would be awarded if the defendant’s own conduct caused her conviction. “She confessed, and that’s why she was convicted,” the state attorney argued. But everyone wanted the scandal to go away. The Hudson County district attorney, embarrassed by the heinous crimes committed by public servants, bent over backward to end the ordeal as quickly as possible and urged the state attorney to settle Molly’s claim. And finally he had.

Now they were all in court for the formal pronouncement of Molly’s innocence. When the bailiff announced that all should rise, a hush descended over the courtroom. Judge Silver entered and took his seat.

“Mr. Murdoch, Ms. Trumball,” he said as he nodded toward each of them. “I have your joint petition before me. The conviction of Molly Singer has previously been vacated based on new evidence, and she is awaiting retrial. The Hudson County district attorney has moved to dismiss the indictment against her based on the confessions of John Engles and Zeke Williams to the murder of Joseph and Sarah Singer. I hereby pronounce that Molly Singer is innocent of the deaths of her parents, and the posted bail is to be returned.”

He paused, then looked directly at Molly. “My deepest sympathy goes to you, young woman, for all that you’ve suffered. I am profoundly saddened and disgusted that it was one of my brethren that caused that suffering.” He straightened up in his seat. “I understand that a settlement agreement has been reached in which Ms. Singer will be compensated one hundred fifty thousand dollars for each year of incarceration. Frankly, it if were up to me, I’d have awarded her ten million dollars as punitive damages against the state. Alan Bryson and John Engles were public officials.” He muttered, “Disgraceful,” then said, “Case dismissed, and good luck to you, Ms. Singer.”

Dani watched Molly’s family rush to her and envelop her in hugs. Molly stood inside this circle, a look of pure joy on her face. After they’d at last disbanded, Molly turned to Dani, Tommy, and Melanie and thanked them for giving her back her freedom, throwing her arms tightly around each of them in turn.

As they started to leave the courthouse, Dani walked behind Molly and her daughter. She smiled when she saw Sophie take Molly’s hand.

“I was wondering,” she heard Sophie say. “I mean . . . um, I was just thinking . . . is it okay if I call you Mom?”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks begin with my husband, Lenny, who is always my first reader and biggest fan. His love and support, along with that of my sons, Jason and Andy, and my daughters-in-law, Jackie and Amanda, mean so much to me. I’m especially grateful that they’ve given me five beautiful grandchildren—Rachel, Joshua, Jacob, Sienna, and Noah—whom I cherish.

Jason and Amanda have reliably become my second readers—the ones I turn to when I’ve finished the first edit of a manuscript. I can always count on them to let me know when I write something that is no longer in the current vernacular (I had no idea that pocketbooks are now referred to as handbags or purses!) or seems inconsistent.

In writing the story, two men were instrumental in my research. Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum, who, unlike the sheriff in
Presumption of Guilt
, is a man of the highest integrity, talked to me about the building of the Ulster County jail. Although there were cost overruns in that construction, they bear no relation to the purely fictional problems in mythical Hudson County. Jeff Leonard, with the Office of the New York State Comptroller, explained to me how fraudulent schemes can go undetected, even with the most scrupulous examination.

I’m so fortunate to work with the wonderful people at Thomas & Mercer. I’m especially grateful to Senior Editor Alan Turkus for his continued belief in my writing, and to the rest of the team, including my copy editor, Laura Silver, who makes sure I haven’t embarrassed myself with run-on sentences or other grammar crimes, and my proofreader, Stephen Wesley, who catches all those misspelled words and missing commas. Thanks also to Tiffany Pokorny and Jacque Ben-Zekry for doing their best to ensure prospective readers learn about my books, Scott Barrie for designing a brilliant cover, and Patrick Fusco for writing a perfect book-jacket description that makes readers want to read the book. And special thanks to my editor, Kjersti Egerdahl, who has made the publishing process smooth and stress free. I’m especially grateful that Kjersti sent
Presumption of Guilt
to David Downing, who was invaluable in finding the holes in the story and pushing me to fill them.

Finally, my thanks to innocence projects throughout the country, and to the lawyers who work tirelessly to correct the occasional mistakes of our judicial system and free those innocent men and women who have been wrongfully imprisoned.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After receiving her Master of Science degree and New York State professional certificate in school psychology, Marti Green realized her true passion was the law. She went on to receive her law degree from Hofstra University and worked as an in-house counsel for a major cable-television operator for twenty-three years, specializing in contracts, intellectual property law, and regulatory issues.

A passionate traveler who has visited six continents, Marti Green now lives in central Florida with her husband, Lenny, and their cat, Howie. She has two adult sons and five grandchildren.

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