Lee Wilson

Maybe.

Big difference with Marie-Louise, aside from the potential of statutory rape, being under the age of consent, her actions would rarely reach the point of a trial/hearing. Especially if she were to make a deal with the mother of the further underaged minor. I didn't check Nelson, Rich, or Stu's IDs, but they may very well already be 18. If so, Marie's fun-filled evening would not be illegal for her. I can't say for sure, but unless the fetus was in process of coming into the world, I believe sexual activity is not harmful at any other time during a pregnancy.

Interesting. I hadn't run across that. But not guilty served this situation well enough. Besides, minor spoiler, the judge didn't believe Ed was innocent but was bound by the law to render the verdict he did.

A major mental breakdown, possibly?

True. But even if he did remember it at the hearing, he could have pled the fifth when asked exactly what happened, or not have testified. There still wouldn't have been sufficient evidence to convict him.

Or like those automatic doors in stores. Step right up and enter.

Right, guilty or not-guilty were the only choices given to Vincent Laguardia Gambini as well by Herman Munster.

True. This is touched upon later.

Big if, for sure.

Perhaps, but even so, new evidence would have to be found and I'm pretty sure I didn't scatter anymore breadcrumbs.

Well, maybe she'll end up with a career that she is well suited for, porn-star.

True, and besides, is anybody really innocent beyond toddler stage?

True. If he were an adult, under the same conditions, I believe the same outcome would be possible. Here is my logic. A judge may commit any person he sees meets the criteria of having mental issues based on a qualified doctor's input. This can happen regardless of any criminal activity. He obviously got enough "evidence" from the psychiatrist for that to apply. He made the order as if Ed were a "normal citizen," outside of the verdict. At that point in time, Ed was innocent until proven guilty. He ordered the psychic evaluation and then rendered his verdict. Perhaps this may not be a perfectly valid condition based on actual criminal law, but then I do occasionally bend the rules where it suits the story. Hopefully, that satisfies the concerns of all the comments that follow.

Thanks. You saw Ed's resolution as I intended. More details in response to additional future comments.

Exactly. Not guilty based on the evidence available. I suppose that could be equated to reasonable doubt. Yes, Nelson will be worried for a bit. At least until tomorrow.

I could see that, but initially my thought was more of a prequel.

Glad you agree. The abuse was definitely his undoing. ML got her one-time-only multi-vita-men.

Wednesday The lawyers each had their say in their closing arguments. Neither had much more to say than what was in their opening statements. The judge called a sixty minute recess. Even though he was quite positive how he would rule, there were orders he needed to complete. Sixty minutes later, the judge called the court to order, "Will the defendant please rise?" Ed and Tamara Halton stood. "This has been one of the most interesting cases I've ever handled. It was difficult

Yep, no risky jury.

Oh, I never let the bad guys get away with it. They usually end up dead themselves. And not of old age.

Let’s just say if I had a nickel for every person I killed, I could easily never have to work again. Although the number is usually small, single or low double digits, there were two that might be considered catastrophic and cataclysmic.

@weinerdog? That’s a hellucination!

While that may be true, why don’t we wait a chapter or three before we start matchmaking for ML?

Gee, did I imply that?