novelnext Chapter5
Chapter5
Jenny headed over to the defendant's table with me following close behind. She took her spot at the table and motioned for me to sit behind her. My father and brothers were standing behind the table watching me but I refused to look at them. The lawyer for the prosecution came over to speak with Jenny about what was happening. I kept my eyes on the front where the judge was going to be sitting. I could feel all their eyes on me but I won't let them get to me.
"All rise for the honourable Judge Brown," said the court worker. We all stood and then bowed our heads when the judge walked in before he took a seat. We all sat down before the court worker called my case. A man who was with my father stood and said "I'm James Black, I'm Miss Matilda Wilson's attorney". I swung around just as Jenny stood up and said "Your honour I am Jenny Murphy, I have been Matilda's lawyer for three years and have brought this case to the court". "Your honour, I am the family lawyer for the Wilsons and will be taking over the case as per her father's wishes," the man said.
"Matilda is 17 and has assisted me with bringing this case to court. I believe the court should allow her to decide who she would like to represent her" Jenny said. "Miss Wilson, who will be representing you here today?" The judge asked. "Ms Jenny Murphy is my lawyer your honour" I replied. He nodded and said, "Proceed Ms Murphy". Mr Black began to talk over Jenny but the judge boomed "Mr Black this is my courtroom and you will be removed if you do not sit down and remain quiet". Jenny then proceeded to talk to the judge. I zoned out I didn't want to hear the entire case be rehashed. "Miss Matilda Wilson the court would like to apologise for the mistake it made 4 years ago sentencing you to juvenile detention. You are hereby released and are free to go". I just nodded.
Everyone stood to leave before Jenny said "Your honour I would like to draw your attention to the cases which were filed this morning. These are urgent and need directions immediately". I remained seated, this would determine what happens next for me and I'm hoping that he rules in my favour for now. "Ms Murphy I briefly read the outlines and believe these cases require further examination before I can make a ruling. The other party also has a right to defend themselves in these matters. These cases will need to be served on the other party but I will grant temporary protection orders" the judge said.
My supposed family had no idea what was about to happen and for the first time in a while, I was happy. This meant freedom. "Miss Matilda Wilson do you understand what is happening?" the judge asked "Yes your honour" I replied, "and it is your wish to have these orders put in place?" The judge asked "Yes your honour" I replied. "I hereby grant a temporary order of protection for Miss Matilda Wilson. Mr Wilson and his sons are to remain 100 meters away from her and her place of residence. We will adjourn for 2 weeks where further evidence will be given, the court dismissed". The judge declared before all hell broke loose.
Mr Black was calling the judge to overturn his ruling while my brothers and father were yelling about me being a minor. Jenny stood up and walked to Mr Black serving him with my cases against my family and beckoned me to follow her. I walked to Jenny and attempted to leave the courtroom but was stopped by Ethan grabbing my arm. "Matty, we want you home," he said. I looked at his hand holding my arm. All my family were now staring at me and him with Jenny in front of me watching what I was doing. She knew I wanted to handle it myself to show them I wasn't the weak little girl they once knew. "Get your hands off me" I stated in an ice-cold tone staring into his eyes with all the hatred I felt for these people. Ethan dropped my hand as Greg stood up walking next to me. He and the rest of my so-called family looked shocked. What did they expect from me after everything they did to me? That I would run into their arms like nothing had happened? Hell no these people are nothing to me.
Jenny and I walked out of the court to the waiting media who had picked up the case and reported how I was wrongly imprisoned for over 4 years for a crime I didn't commit. Jenny had prepared me for this. This was my time to shine and start my own life away from every one of those people who hurt me. We stopped at the reporters while Jenny spoke about the cases she had filed against the state and the juvenile detention centre. I watched as my family came out stopping to hear Jenny speak. Mr Black stopped my father from coming near me. Greg was standing next to me and whispered "You ok there Tilly" I just nodded waiting to speak to the media. Jenny motioned me over and now it was my turn to speak.
"I just want to thank Jenny my lawyer for all the work she has put in and to Greg for helping stop the abuse in juvenile detention" I said. A reporter shouted, "Matilda is it true you have filed a protection order against your father and brothers?". I look at Jenny who nods at me "Yes I have" I reply. The same reporter shouts "Why is that and how does it feel to be proven innocent even when your own family thought you were guilty?". " I have filed a protection order for my safety. My family was my mother who was murdered by Harry. I do not have any other family. What those people did to me and had other people do to me is unforgivable. As you are aware I was abused and beaten daily in juvie and that was orchestrated by those people. That is not family. I have filed several suites against all those involved and I will not rest until I get justice for myself and for my mother" I stated before nodding at Jenny.
Mr Black stepped to the microphone and the questions started flying towards him "What do the Wilsons have to say about the protection order that Matilda filed against them? What do they have to say about the abuse allegations? How do they feel about Matilda being found innocent after they all helped convict her?" Mr Black held his hand up and spoke which seemed to be a speech he had put together "At this time the Wilson family ask for privacy while these matters are dealt with. The family is happy to have Matilda found innocent and would like to be given the time and space to get to know her again. We will be fighting against the protection order as we believe that Matilda needs her family's support to help her move on from this. We will also support her in filing a case against the state for wrongful imprisonment". My family had moved closer to me by this time however Greg and Jenny positioned themselves between me and them before moving me along to an awaiting car to get me the hell out of here.