[Andrew_Q_Gordon] The Trial of Jordan Colmar

[Andrew Q Gordon]

Right, the judge doesn't have to take delight, but he should consider the victim's rights (especially in this case). And I just thought of something; what if Pete had been paralyzed in the attack and had to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair? How is that fair to him? Would Jordan deserve any amount of compassion if Second Shot had played out that way?

 

On that last question, I think we both know how I feel about this.

 

And as a hypothetical; even if I were straight and totally hated gays, there is just no way I could have done what Jordan did. Forget about the jail time; if Pete posed no physical threat to me, why should I get physical with him?

 

We seem to go round and round on this - basically your confusing leniency with compassion. Like him or not, it is a huge waste for a 21 year old kid to have tossed his life away for no reason. No matter what happened to Peter, Jordan's life being flushed away is not cause to celebrate. Does that mean you ignore the victim's plight and go easy on the defendant - no, but it's hard to explain unless you've actually stood up there and asked for the Judge to give someone a life ending sentence. I've done it, and to be honest, it's no fun. You don't let the defendant's age or circumstances sway you, because there is a victim and society needs to be protected, but still if you don't feel for those whose lives your basically ending, you might need a new job.

 

There are reams of stories of prosecutors for whom the only goal is winning and how they almost always end up breaking the rules just to get that 'W'. That's where you end up when you can't see what you're about to do. In my opinion anyway.

 

Your second point seems so obvious doesn't it? I don't know why everyone doesn't see it that way either.

[GeR]

Andy, I have to agree with your statements on the compassion vs. leniency. Without being insensitive, I believe we too often view law, justice and punishment through the eyes of TV crime/law filter. We tend to have the view of black and white, without any shades of gray, and often make conclusions about verdicts and sentencing based on the information presented by the screen writers (which you should seriously consider for a second career). In life, however, shades of gray are the norm, and I can see the difficult dilemma that often prosecutors are faced with. No that the victim should be ignored or the criminal exonerated, but there are times when it is hard to see the sentencing harshly executed. I wondered at times whether Jordan was simply a product of his parents/family, and once started along the path didn't know how to pull himself out. Not that that justifies his actions, or excuses his crime. My father and I frequently disagreed on the justice system. I came to the discussions from the lawyer's perspective, he as a city counsel person. His compassion was more visible when he was able to see the full picture and knew the parties, but without some personal understanding, he was very rigid, unbending, and I though unreasonable.

I appreciated the trial and verdict chapter, and felt a reasonable consideration from you on both sides. I even felt at time a touch of humanity toward Jordan through the trial, but he kept coming back to himself when it suited his needs. Perhaps he was pulled back by the ignorance, bigotry and superiority of his family.

[Andrew Q Gordon]

A touch of Humanity? Jordan? Crap, I gotta go back and re-write that.

 

Jordan was someone who was totally a product of his upbringing. Mommy thought the sun shined out his arse and he never got into any trouble she and Hank couldn't pull him out of. But at his core he wanted to be all the things they thought he was - but really wasn't. In Sec Shot, Jason mentioned that Jordan was going to use Jason's being gay to try to make himself look better. To me that summed up how I saw/see Jordan. He thinks by casting others in a lesser light it make him shine brighter. As we know, that is rarely if ever the case - He's the same as he was, but now the others have come down to his level.

 

Crazy how the characters created seem to have a life of their own as if they were real. And to some extent they are as real as say Dr. Conrad Murray and his trial. I've never met the man, and never will and all I know is from reading and hearing about the trial. I guess this is an example of fiction imitating life

[GeR]

OK, so I tried this once, and it wouldn't save. I hope it doesn't save twice now. Yes, you are right, Jordan was a dick in Second Shot and he still was one at the trial (even if a bit of his humanity showed now and then ). But none of that matter's cause Jordan is your character and not mine. So I admit defeat. (No a very lawyerly thing to say, is it). Dr. Conrad Murry is almost as tragic as Michael himself, but I didn't follow his trial, so rather than be like most Americans, I won't comment on the outcome because I don't know the facts. Thanks for being gentle with me -- perhaps to much time with Baby Q?

[Andrew Q Gordon]

George,

 

I was joking, about going back to rewrite, I agree there were times when you feel a bit sorry for him, well not too much. All I meant by Conrad Murray is that in some ways that's almost as real or unreal as Jordan Colmar to me and most people, because all we know about it is from the media. I didn't follow the trial either, so all I know is he was tried and convicted.

 

As for being gentle, what did you say that required a good bludgeoning? Jeez, I sure hope you didn't insult me cause I didn't get it and that means you would have wasted the effort.

[GeR]

No insult intended. Just my own experience suggests that babies tend to make mellow daddies out. Don't bludgeon me, please. But you should consider doing a screne play or TV script. Perhaps if you take off your resume that you are a lawyer, you might have a better chance at being hired! hahahahaha. Just a little lawyer humor. I still like you and your story.

[Andrew Q Gordon]

Not sure how I missed this, but I don't expect baby Q. is going to mail me much, not until she stops being fussy. As for screenplay, I don't know. I wouldn't mind working on one, but I know they're not the same as novels. Anyway, thanks as always for the comments. And yes, if I ever decide to change professions I probably would be better off having a 20 year blank in my resume than letting everyone know I was a lawyer.

[Andrew Q Gordon]

Just a little update. The epilogue is finished, reviewed, and edited. In short, it is ready to be posted. It will, be posted as scheduled this Sunday. This ended up being quite a bit longer than I expected, I thought I could do it in four chapters, it took eight. oh well, it took what it took and I don't keel it was too long.

 

I'm not quite sure how I feel about that, as it will finally put an end to the story of Peter and Jason. Not to say that there will be more, but I think this one will always be special to me because it was my first.

 

So, this is everyone's last chance to make comments before it's posted.

[Benji]

Just a little update. The epilogue is finished, reviewed, and edited. In short, it is ready to be posted. It will, be posted as scheduled this Sunday. This ended up being quite a bit longer than I expected, I thought I could do it in four chapters, it took eight. oh well, it took what it took and I don't keel it was too long.

 

I'm not quite sure how I feel about that, as it will finally put an end to the story of Peter and Jason. Not to say that there will be more, but I think this one will always be special to me because it was my first.

 

So, this is everyone's last chance to make comments before it's posted.

 

............... As always, will be looking forward to it Q-man!

[Daddydavek]

Well now I know what I will be doing sometime on Sunday.....anticipation....

 

"Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences."

Norman Cousins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrew Q Gordon]

Well now I know what I will be doing sometime on Sunday.....anticipation....

 

"Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences."

Norman Cousins

 

............... As always, will be looking forward to it Q-man!

 

 

Great! Way to put the pressure on me. If it sucks y'all are gonna be disappointed for having waited with bated breathe.

[Benji]

.. Me put pressure on you??? Never!

[Daddydavek]

Pressure, what pressure?

 

You are on a 16 week vacation learning how to be the primary caregiver for an infant. Writing an epilogue is a piece of cake compared to that!

[Andrew Q Gordon]

Being a dirty rotten bastard, I was going to say I'd post the Epilogue only if I got 29 more reviews to Second Shot - thus getting me to an even 500, or maybe if everyone who was reading started to read Purpose and left me comments, or then there is my ultimate pet peeve - Some how I have many people who follow me as author, many people who read, review and give me 'likes' for the stuff I write, but some how I'm one of the only Promising Authors with a 4 star rating - so I thought I'd hold this hostage until people went to my profile and upped my 'star rating'

 

Then I realized it was the lack of sleep last night - I got maybe two hours, and not because of the baby either, I just couldn't sleep. Mike was happy however as I took his 4 am baby detail, hell I was up, why wake him.

 

With that said, I'm now sipping my coffee having eaten and I realized, I don't want to wait to click the 'complete' button on this story and by extension Second Shot. Soo, here it is:

 

Epilogue

 

And for you who rightfully blasted me for the 'epilogue' in Second Shot - I promise This is a true epilogue.

 

Enjoy and this time I really would like to hear comments from everyone, since this ends the Second Shot story line.

 

Thanks

 

Andy

[TrevorTime]

Being a dirty rotten bastard, I was going to say I'd post the Epilogue only if I got 29 more reviews to Second Shot - thus getting me to an even 500

 

I reviewed almost every chapter of SS and read it at least 10 times. The only thing I am missing now is the Peter Gregory action figure, LoL.

 

but some how I'm one of the only Promising Authors with a 4 star rating

 

I'd give every chapter of SS and Trial 10 stars if I could. Well maybe only 9 stars for that car auction chapter; that one didn't have enough angst in it.

[Daddydavek]

1. It really does sound like you are not getting enough sleep. I usually put on some classical music, like nocturnes and try reading a Russian novel (think Solzhenitsyn), and that puts me to sleep.

 

2. This story ended with the sentencing and the feeling that the boys now felt like they could get on with their life, so no misapplication of the term epilogue.

 

3. Star ratings are a question and I remember Mark Arbour having some questions about them as well in his forum some time ago. So you have very good company!

 

Try to enjoy the last weekend before the holiday and the Christmas rush catches you all. It will be so neat to see little Q's pic with Santa! Speaking of which, haven't seen a pic lately!

 

Dave

 

 

[Benji]

................. Great end to a great story, thanks Q-man!!

[Andrew Q Gordon]

 

I reviewed almost every chapter of SS and read it at least 10 times. The only thing I am missing now is the Peter Gregory action figure, LoL.

If you get that going, I'll license the character to you and we can split the revenue, - baby Q needs a college fund after all and this was all gratitis

 

I'd give every chapter of SS and Trial 10 stars if I could. Well maybe only 9 stars for that car auction chapter; that one didn't have enough angst in it.

 

Chapter stars aren't the same as author stars, but either way - thank you for all the support Trevor, now I need to find a new story to interest you like this one has.

1. It really does sound like you are not getting enough sleep. I usually put on some classical music, like nocturnes and try reading a Russian novel (think Solzhenitsyn), and that puts me to sleep.

 

Nothing can over come cold medicine insomnia, trust me I tried.

2. This story ended with the sentencing and the feeling that the boys now felt like they could get on with their life, so no misapplication of the term epilogue.

Were you one of the ones who told me I goofed? Glad this one passed muster.

3. Star ratings are a question and I remember Mark Arbour having some questions about them as well in his forum some time ago. So you have very good company!

Not worry, just me being snarky. It will probably end up lowering my rating - but as you said, who cares in the end.

Try to enjoy the last weekend before the holiday and the Christmas rush catches you all. It will be so neat to see little Q's pic with Santa! Speaking of which, haven't seen a pic lately!

 

Dave

 

Sheesh . Fine, I do it later today. No pleasing some people.

 

 

................. Great end to a great story, thanks Q-man!!

 

Thanks B-man, very much appreciated your support along the way. Now what'll it take to get you to come read Purpose?