JAKE'S PUNISHMENT

Chapter 10 - GUILTY OF MURDER

The day of the ''sentencing'' arrived. Sir and Danny arrived with a smart shirt and tie and told Jake to put them on so he would look presentable for the court. He was led up to the lounge in handcuffs and made to stand before Sir and Lorraine, who were both sitting at a table. Alex, Danny, and Chloe were sitting in seats around the room

''How do you plead to the crime of murder?'' asked Sir

''It's not murder Sir'' protested Jake ''please it's not murder, it's an accidental death, manslaughter, or whatever you want to call it

''Young man we call it murder and nothing else'' Said Lorraine coldly, ''now stop wasting our time, how do you plead?''

Jake paused for a second before answering ''Guilty'' he said eventually

''At least the little sod had the sense to choose the right plea!'' Said, Alex

''You may sit down next to Chloe now'' said Sir ''she will put forward a case in your defense''

Jake sat next to Chloe, she smiled at him again and then looked around the room at her family

''I loved Liam as much as you all did'' She said ''you know that. But I don't see a cold, evil murderer here, all I see is a scared young man who made a horrible mistake. I think we should show him some mercy''

''But he was drink driving sis'' said Danny ''he was bloody drink driving''

''I know and he was an idiot but I bet he will regret it for the rest of his life'' said Chloe ''I think we should find it In our hearts to forgive him''

'And why the hell should we?'' said Alex angrily

''Well, he pleaded guilty both times right'' explained Chloe ''both at his original sentencing and here today, both times he pleaded guilty. That to me shows he feels remorse and wants to do the right thing

''Nothing he does now can ever bring our Liam back can it'' said Alex

''No, but hanging on to our hate won't help will it'' continued Chloe '' if we forgive him we will feel better!''

''BOLLOCKS!'' exclaimed Danny ''IF WE PUNISH HIM I FOR ONE WILL FEEL BETTER!''...

.....Sometime later Alex and Danny are in the middle of putting their case against Jake

''So in our opinion he should get life'' said Danny ''all murderers get life, why should he be any different? Why should he get away with it? Look at the damage and heartbreak he has caused to this family. Alex and I ask that you please give him the punishment of life imprisonment here. He will be kept here and only considered for parole many years from now. Once he has truly been punished''

Jake sits looking horrified by this, surely they wouldn't do this to him, would they? They wouldn't keep him here for life? How could they do it? It wouldn't be possible surely?

''You will be sentenced tomorrow'' Lorraine said eventually ''My husband and I need to think about this overnight and discuss it a bit more. Do you have anything to say before you are taken back to the basement?''

''Please don't keep me here for life'' pleaded Jake, fighting back his tears ''I am truly sorry for what I did, let me go please, I am begging. Think of my family, they are suffering too. Forgive me and show me some mercy I beg you''

Lorraine and Sir sat with no reaction at all

Eventually, Sir addressed his two sons

''You two may take the prisoner back to the basement now boys''. he said

''Our pleasure'' replied Alex

Jake has led away, terrified at what tomorrow might bring