Chapter 70

“You may not object at this point, Mr. Shermer. You’ll have your chance to answer these allegations. Sit down.”

Preston clenched his mouth and slipped back down into his chair. There was soft laughter and tittering round the court room.

Again Judge Starkley banged her gavel. “Order,” was all she said, but several were sure they saw a tiny smile escape the corner of her lips.

Captain Wilson continued with his explanation of the day. The judge nodded and he was allowed to step down.

She looked at the seven defendants.

“This is a preliminary hearing. If you feel the decisions I hand out are fair, you may accept them and that will be that. If you want to contest them and go to a jury trial that can be done, too, but it will take a lot longer. Does everyone understand?”

The seven defendants all nodded.

“First I will deal with the minors in this case. Janelle Reynolds?”