The Law of Second Chances

53

Back in his office in Bass Creek the next day, Jack called Mike McDermott, a civil trial lawyer in the city and an old high school buddy, to get the lowdown on Langford Middleton. He had to take some good old-fashioned ribbing before he got what he needed.

“Is this the famous Jack Tobin? The one who’s all over the newspapers in New York City? Would it be possible for me to get an autograph at some time?”

“You play your cards right, Mike, and I’ll see what I can do. Have your people call my people. We’ll do lunch and all that stuff. How are you doing?”

“Good, Jack. I’m not so sure about you, though. That’s a tough case you’ve got.”

“I hear you. As a matter of fact, that’s why I’m calling. I wanted to get the straight poop on Langford Middleton.”

“The worst judge you could get, bar none. He just can’t make a decision. I’m actually surprised you’ve gotten this far. He refuses to try most cases. He pressures the lawyers into settling.”

“I’ve heard that about him from the public defender, but that’s not the way he’s been handling this case.”

“That’s because he’s getting pressure. The wife of one of our associates is an assistant DA, and she says the DA himself went to see Middleton. The DA told Middleton if he even thought about continuing the case he’d go after him. I hear the Judicial Qualifications Commission is looking at Middleton too because of the complaints they’ve been getting. That’s one of the reasons they transferred him to criminal.”

“That’s why he won’t even think about a continuance. Well, at least we’re getting a trial. How would you propose that I handle him during the trial?”

“I’m not sure. Like I said, Jack, nobody has had much experience trying cases with the son-of-a-bitch. I know he’s sensitive about being appealed, so you may want to imply at every step of the way that you’re going to appeal his rulings. That’s a backhanded way of putting more pressure on him.”

“What about his ego? Does he like to be stroked?”

“He’s a really bright guy. He’s a little arrogant too. If you can appeal to his intellect you might win him over on a point. The biggest problem you have, as I already mentioned, is the son-of-a-bitch won’t make a decision. How in the hell do we get judges who can’t make decisions? That’s their job, for Christ’s sake.”

Jack didn’t have an answer for that one. He thanked Mike for his advice, and the two men agreed to meet for lunch soon.

“Oh, one other thing, Jack,” Mike added. “My office is a stone’s throw from the courthouse. Why don’t you come down here sometime before the trial starts, and we’ll get you a security clearance and a key and you can work out of here. I’ve got an extra office, a copier, fax, telephone-whatever you need. You can come and go at any time, day or night.”

It was a detail Jack had not thought much about. He needed a place to work from, and Mike’s office would be perfect.

“Mike, I’m definitely going to take you up on that offer. Thanks again.”